Embedded Software Engineer, Platform

SpaceX

Confirmed live today High trust

Quick summary

Work type
On-site
Location
Hawthorne, CA
Salary
$125,000–$160,000 / yr
Posted
3 days ago
Freshness
Confirmed live today

Market check

Salary context

Below market

How this pay compares to similar roles

Similar $172k
This role $142k
$115k $220k
below market most similar roles pay here above market

This role pays less than 80% of similar roles. Most pay $146,800–$196,937 — the blue band above. At the midpoint, this role pays about $142k versus about $172k for comparable roles.

Based on 240 similar postings.

Employer

About SpaceX

SpaceX designs, manufactures, and launches advanced rockets and spacecraft with the mission of enabling humans to become a multi-planetary species. It operates the Falcon 9, Falcon Heavy, and Starship launch vehicles, as well as the Starlink satellite internet constellation.

SpaceX currently has 796 open roles on FindRole.

Listed pay typically runs $130,000–$165,000 across 555 roles with salary data.

Most-posted roles

View all roles at SpaceX

At a glance

TL;DR · Embedded Software Engineer, Platform

The Embedded Software Engineer, Platform (Starshield) joins the Starshield Software team to build the foundational software that boots, runs, and secures spacecraft and ground systems. This role involves developing the platform stack that userspace applications depend on, including early-stage bootloaders, Linux kernel components, and drivers to control CPU and FPGA hardware on vehicle nodes. Key responsibilities include maintaining in-house branches of open-source software like Linux, Buildroot, and U-Boot, while designing platform security features such as secure boot and runtime integrity. Candidates must possess system-level development experience in C, C++, or Rust. The work focuses on providing timely, reliable information delivery for the intelligence community and defense services by taking boards from prototype through on-orbit operations in a dynamic environment.

What does a Embedded Software Engineer earn in California?

Median $184300 from 35 postings across 11 companies.

See salary data

What you'll do

  • Maintain and update in-house branches of open-source software including Linux, Buildroot, and U-Boot.
  • Design and implement platform security features such as secure boot and runtime integrity.
  • Own and develop device drivers and board-level firmware for in-house and vendor components.
  • Define and maintain interfaces between the platform layer and userspace or mission software.
  • Support platform-specific test infrastructure for spacecraft and ground systems.
  • Manage the full software lifecycle from initial development and testing to on-orbit support.
  • Coordinate with Electrical, FPGA, and application teams to move boards from prototype to operation.

What we're looking for

  • Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, math, or scientific discipline; OR 2+ years of professional software development experience.
  • System-level development experience in C, C++, or Rust.
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret or Top Secret SCI clearance.
  • U.S. citizenship, national, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee status as required by ITAR.
  • Experience developing in the Linux kernel (preferred).
  • Experience working with computer architecture and modern secure boot flows (preferred).
  • Experience with ARM and/or FPGA SoC embedded systems (preferred).
  • Security Clearance as a condition of employment.

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