Principal Security Software Engineer

SpaceX

Confirmed live yesterday High trust

Quick summary

Work type: On-site
Location: Palo Alto, CA
Salary: $235,000–$355,000 / yr
Posted: 9 days ago
Freshness: Confirmed live yesterday
Nearby: 99+ roles within 25 mi

Market check

Salary context

Above market

How this pay compares to similar roles

Similar $170k

This role $295k

$103k most similar roles pay here $382k

This role pays more than 98% of similar roles. Most pay $137,650–$202,500 — the shaded band above. At the midpoint, this role pays about $295k versus about $170k 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 · Principal Security Software Engineer

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Principal Security Software Engineer (Starlink) joins the team to influence and enhance the security of software across various product lines for the Starlink broadband internet system. The role involves designing and building security infrastructure, including cryptographic services and other critical components, while developing specific features for routers, dishes, gateways, and satellites. Responsibilities include maintaining production systems, improving security posture through direct implementation, and creating prototypes to test improvements. Candidates should possess expertise in software engineering, applied cryptography, network security, operating system security, secure boot, incident response, and vulnerability research. The position requires proficiency in Python, C++, or Golang, along with experience with distributed systems and hardware like TPMs and HSMs. This role addresses the technical challenge of securing a massive satellite constellation and providing reliable internet to underserved communities through robust infrastructure.

Skills

Python C++ Golang Cryptography Network Security Operating System Security Incident Response Vulnerability Research TCP/IP UDP Distributed Systems Security Infrastructure

What you'll do

Design and build security infrastructure including cryptographic services for Starlink.
Develop security features for routers, dishes, gateways, and satellites.
Integrate security into manufacturing processes and provide supporting network services.
Maintain production systems and improve overall security posture through direct implementation.
Build prototypes to identify, design, and test new security improvements.
Provide recommendations to other engineering teams to enhance system security.

What we're looking for

Bachelor's degree in computer science or another STEM discipline and 8+ years of professional experience in security software development.
10+ years of professional experience in security software development in lieu of a degree.
Experience with one or more software development languages such as Python, C++, or Golang.
Experience designing and implementing security solutions for operating systems, distributed systems, or large-scale infrastructure.
Experience working with special purpose security hardware like Trusted Platform Modules (TPMs) and Hardware Security Modules (HSMs).
Fundamental understanding of network protocols including the TCP/IP stack and UDP based protocols.
Advanced degree in a technical or engineering discipline is preferred.
Must be a U.S. citizen, national, lawful permanent resident, or eligible for required export control authorizations.

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