Lead IT Systems Administrator, Launch

LEAD IT SYSTEMS ADMINISTRATOR (LAUNCH)

As the Lead IT Systems Administrator, you’re responsible for ensuring all IT procedures and systems supporting SpaceX’s launch operations are optimally tuned and ready to propel us towards our mission of becoming a multi-planetary species. This role requires excellent leadership skills, hands-on technical contribution, an action-oriented disposition, flexibility, and the propensity to flourish in a fast-paced and challenging environment.
RESPONSIBILITIES:  

• Lead a team of highly skilled IT professionals responsible for implementing, troubleshooting and maintaining IT infrastructure that directly supports SpaceX’s mission operations.
• Enhance network monitoring capabilities by identifying operational blind-spots, solving them with custom scripting, filtering, and efficient dashboards.
• Provide liaison support between SpaceX and the United States Space Force, NASA and commercial spaceflight customers, participating in technical briefings, evaluating requirements and connecting appropriate resources to solve challenges.
• Coordinate and communicate with internal customers on systems architecture, IT best practices, and implementation strategies.
• Actively collaborate with IT Systems Engineers on continuous improvement initiatives to bolster systems reliability and team efficiency.
• Provide feedback and auxiliary support on efforts involving automation, production telemetry, preventative maintenance, incident response, customer request handling, etc.
• Oversee and participate in day-to-day IT operations and procedures, ensuring seamless functionality and reliability during vehicle integration, test, and launch campaigns.
• Develop and expand continuous testing platforms to provide streamlined change introduction and management in controlled environments.
• Work closely with information security and compliance teams to enforce robust security controls while minimizing operational impact.
• Provide coaching and mentorship to other members of the SpaceX team, fostering team cohesion, knowledge redundancy and professional growth.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline OR 4+ years of experience in an IT administration or IT engineering role.
• 1+ years of professional experience leading technical teams and/or projects.

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE: 

• Extensive experience deploying and troubleshooting Linux and Windows operating systems.
• Experience deploying and supporting enterprise-grade networking infrastructure including switches, routers, and firewalls.
• Ability to create, organize and maintain detailed technical documentation and operational runbooks.
• Experience working in a mission-critical environment preferably within the aerospace or defense sectors.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively convey complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
• Strong leadership skills including the ability to inspire and motivate a diverse team of IT professionals.
• Working knowledge of storage architectures, virtualization technologies, and backup systems.
• Ability to independently and effectively manage projects in an extremely fast paced and constantly changing environment.
• Analytical mindset with excellent problem-solving abilities and a proactive approach to recognizing and overcoming technical challenges.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: 

• Willing to work extended hours or weekends as necessary.
• Ability to provide 24x7 on-call support in emergency situations.
• Able to lift 25lbs unassisted.
• Recurring travel, up to 20% including air travel and occasional extended time at sea, is required for operational and training purposes.
• Ability to pass Space Force background check for Cape Canaveral.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:  

Pay Range:    
Lead IT Systems Engineer, Launch: $105,000.00 - $140,000.00/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.

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. Employees accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law.