SpaceX Logo

SpaceX

Software Engineer, Flight Software (Starship)

Posted 18 Days Ago
Be an Early Applicant
In-Office
Hawthorne, CA, USA
125K-175K Annually
Junior
In-Office
Hawthorne, CA, USA
125K-175K Annually
Junior
As a Software Engineer, you'll design, develop, and test high-reliability flight software systems for SpaceX's Starship. Responsibilities include owning the software development lifecycle and maintaining software standards across controls and simulations.
The summary above was generated by AI

SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars.

SOFTWARE ENGINEER, FLIGHT SOFTWARE (STARSHIP)

SpaceX's Starship spacecraft and Super Heavy rocket (collectively referred to as Starship) represent a fully reusable transportation system designed to carry both crew and cargo to Earth orbit, the Moon, Mars and beyond. Starship will be the world's most powerful launch vehicle ever developed, with the ability to carry in excess of 100 metric tons to Earth orbit.

As a Software Engineer on the Starship Software team, you will design, develop, and test software that is used to both control and simulate SpaceX flight systems. You will engage with other SpaceX software and hardware engineers to implement and debug software at all layers of our stack – application, operating system, networking, firmware, simulation – to achieve the mission.

Aerospace experience is not required to be successful here - rather we look for smart, motivated, collaborative engineers who love solving problems and want to make an impact on a super inspiring mission.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Develop highly reliable autonomous software systems and the simulations required to validate them
  • Own all aspects of software development, including design, testing, and integration to the mission
  • Work with counterpart engineering teams to develop and maintain launch and vehicle software, crossing all required software domains necessary to implement and verify control of the pad, ship, and booster to meet mission objectives
  • Follow and maintain high software standards and software engineering best practices within Starship Software

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Bachelor’s degree in computer science, software engineering, computer engineering, electrical engineering or other engineering discipline; OR 2+ years of professional software development experience in lieu of a degree

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

  • Proven skills and knowledge of C++, Rust, or other systems programming language
  • Experience building or working with real-time embedded systems or distributed computing systems
  • Strong focus and interest in designing, architecting, and implementing excellent, bug-free software
  • Basic knowledge of electronics, controls, fluid systems, motor design, or physical mechanics
  • Strong critical thinking and first-principles problem-solving skills
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Able to work effectively in a dynamic environment while assuming high levels of responsibility and demonstrating accountability for software outcomes

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

  • Willing to work long hours and weekends as needed

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay range:    
Software Engineering/Level I: $125,000.00 - $145,000.00/per year    
Software Engineering/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.

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 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.

ITAR REQUIREMENTS:

  • 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 [email protected]

SpaceX Hawthorne, California, USA Office

1 Rocket Road, Hawthorne, CA, United States, 90250

Similar Jobs

18 Days Ago
In-Office
Hawthorne, CA, USA
160K-225K Annually
Senior level
160K-225K Annually
Senior level
Aerospace • Other
Design, develop, and test flight software for SpaceX's Starship, collaborating with engineering teams to ensure reliability and meet mission objectives.
Top Skills: C++PythonRust
A Minute Ago
Easy Apply
Remote or Hybrid
US
Easy Apply
90K-110K Annually
Mid level
90K-110K Annually
Mid level
Artificial Intelligence • Machine Learning
Own and produce enterprise, executive-grade events and experiences (Rev, executive boards, GTM Kickoff, MYBR). Partner with marketing and GTM to drive pipeline, run swag/gift programs, support executive account engagements, manage budgets/SOWs, and measure post-event impact (pipeline, NPS, engagement).
Top Skills: CventHubspotSalesforceSplash
A Minute Ago
Hybrid
Los Angeles, CA, USA
50K-60K Annually
Junior
50K-60K Annually
Junior
AdTech • Cloud • Digital Media • Information Technology • News + Entertainment • App development
Coordinate on-lot production client services and logistics for Universal Studios Lot: schedule stages, handle inquiries, prepare estimates, manage billing and vendor invoices, process work orders, support facilities/office moves, maintain records, attend scouts and on-set to resolve issues, and provide administrative and client outreach support including nights and weekends as required.
Top Skills: ExcelMS OfficePowerPointScheduallSphere

What you need to know about the Los Angeles Tech Scene

Los Angeles is a global leader in entertainment, so it’s no surprise that many of the biggest players in streaming, digital media and game development call the city home. But the city boasts plenty of non-entertainment innovation as well, with tech companies spanning verticals like AI, fintech, e-commerce and biotech. With major universities like Caltech, UCLA, USC and the nearby UC Irvine, the city has a steady supply of top-flight tech and engineering talent — not counting the graduates flocking to Los Angeles from across the world to enjoy its beaches, culture and year-round temperate climate.

Key Facts About Los Angeles Tech

  • Number of Tech Workers: 375,800; 5.5% of overall workforce (2024 CompTIA survey)
  • Major Tech Employers: Snap, Netflix, SpaceX, Disney, Google
  • Key Industries: Artificial intelligence, adtech, media, software, game development
  • Funding Landscape: $11.6 billion in venture capital funding in 2024 (Pitchbook)
  • Notable Investors: Strong Ventures, Fifth Wall, Upfront Ventures, Mucker Capital, Kittyhawk Ventures
  • Research Centers and Universities: California Institute of Technology, UCLA, University of Southern California, UC Irvine, Pepperdine, California Institute for Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Quantum Science and Engineering

Sign up now Access later

Create Free Account

Please log in or sign up to report this job.

Create Free Account