Lead Software Engineer, Flight Systems

SpaceX

Confirmed live yesterday Low trust

Quick summary

Work type
On-site
Location
Hawthorne, CA
Salary
$165,000–$230,000 / yr
Posted
171 days ago
Freshness
Confirmed live yesterday

Market check

Salary context

Above market

How this pay compares to similar roles

Similar $178k
This role $198k
$136k most similar roles pay here $240k

This role pays more than 71% of similar roles. Most pay $152,412–$202,875 — the shaded band above. At the midpoint, this role pays about $198k versus about $178k 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 680 open roles on FindRole.

Listed pay typically runs $130,000–$165,000 across 442 roles with salary data.

Most-posted roles

View all roles at SpaceX

At a glance

TL;DR · Lead Software Engineer, Flight Systems

Lead Software Engineer, Flight Systems - Top Secret Clearance joins the Special Programs team to lead a group of engineers in designing and developing an in-house solution for analysis, simulation, and prototyping of software supporting flight systems. This role involves full ownership over the delivery of scalable, high-performance applications used to control and test orbital flight systems while managing technical results, performance evaluations, and professional growth for direct reports. The candidate will lead architecture discussions, code reviews, and oversee all phases of development from design to mission integration. Key requirements include expert knowledge of C++ and Python, experience with Linux or Unix systems, and familiarity with automation tools like Bamboo, Ansible, or Jenkins. Additionally, the role involves containerized solutions such as Docker and Kubernetes to solve complex problems in high-assurance flight system software.

What you'll do

  • Lead a team of engineers to develop simulation, flight software, and automated testing systems.
  • Own the delivery of high-performance applications used to control and test orbital flight systems.
  • Manage technical results, performance evaluations, and professional growth for direct reports.
  • Develop and maintain a roadmap with clear short-term and long-term project goals.
  • Lead architecture discussions, design decisions, and code reviews for internal software solutions.
  • Ensure all development follows established software processes and industry best practices.
  • Oversee the full lifecycle of software from design and implementation to mission integration.

What we're looking for

  • Bachelor's degree in computer science, mathematics, computer engineering, or electrical engineering.
  • 5+ years of experience in software development using C++ and Python.
  • 3+ years of experience developing and testing automation software for electrical or mechanical systems.
  • 1+ years of professional leadership experience.
  • Active Top-Secret, Top-Secret SCI, or DOE Level Q security clearance.
  • Ability to be a U.S. citizen, national, lawful permanent resident, or eligible for export control authorizations.
  • Experience with automated build and test frameworks like Bamboo, Ansible, or Jenkins.
  • Experience with containerized solutions such as Docker and Kubernetes.

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