Software Engineer, Satellite Operations (Starshield)

we're looking for versatile, motivated, and collaborative engineers. Aerospace experience is not required to be successful here, although an engineer with good systems intuition in addition to strong software skills will excel in this role. We want our engineers to bring fresh ideas from all areas.

We look for engineers who love solving problems and seek to make an impact on an inspiring mission.

- Own the complete lifecycle of the software and systems you create, including development, testing, deployment, and operational support

- Develop highly reliable and available software systems for the tasking and monitoring of satellites in low-earth orbit

- Design and implement performant and safe satellite flight software

- Build automated ground-based software systems that integrate smart data processing with satellite control

- Act as a a cross-disciplinary expert, collaborating with other engineers to diagnose on-orbit faults and come up with suitable permanent resolutions ensuring we meet mission objectives

- Lead on-orbit satellite operations through all phases of flight and perform on-call rotations, satellite commanding, or data review to keep our vehicles, payloads, and networks continuously operating

- Bachelor's degree in computer science, aerospace engineering, physics or another engineering discipline

- Development experience in C, C++, Python, or other similar programming languages

- Production experience with containerization technologies (e.g. Docker, Kubernetes)

- Experience developing and deploying HTTP servers to build scalable dynamic web operations, tooling, and real-time monitoring applications

- Experience working with relational databases (PostgreSQL, CockroachDB, or similar)

- Knowledge of computer architecture, networks, and inter-process communications (RESTful APIs, gRPC, etc.)

- Understanding of version control, testing, continuous integration, build, deployment, and monitoring

- Experience with debugging, performance optimization, and unit testing

- General familiarity with the disciplines necessary for spacecraft flight including: structures, propulsion, avionics, GNC, flight software, dynamics, launch and mission operations, and integration

- Master's degree or Ph.D. in an engineering discipline, computer science, or physics

- Ability to work effectively and creatively in a dynamic environment with changing needs and requirements

- Ability to work independently and in a team, take initiative, and communicate effectively

- Active Top Secret, Top Secret SCI, or DOE Level Q clearance, or the ability and willingness to obtain one

- Able to work extended hours and weekends as needed to support critical path development and/or critical on-orbit operations

- An active clearance may provide the opportunity for you to work on sensitive SpaceX missions; if so, you will be subject to pre-employment drug and random drug and alcohol test

Pay range: Software Engineer/Level I: $125,000.00 - $150,000.00/per year Software Engineer/Level II: $145,000.00 - $175,000.00/per year

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience. Those with an active clearance will receive a 10% differential, up to an additional $20,000 annually, once officially briefed into a classified program.

Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock, stock options, or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year.

Exempt employees are eligible for 5 days of sick leave per year. Employees accrue paid sick leave pursuant to the Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law.

- To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Learn more about the ITAR here .

SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX's Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to EEOCompliance@spacex.com .