Principal Software Engineer, Platform Team

SpaceX

Confirmed live 2 days ago Low trust

Quick summary

Work type: On-site
Location: Starbase, TX
Posted: 114 days ago
Freshness: Confirmed live 2 days ago
Nearby: 49 roles within 25 mi

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How this pay compares to similar roles

Similar $197k

$124k most similar roles pay here $284k

This listing doesn't post a salary. Most similar roles pay $172,987–$220,800.

Based on 240 similar postings.

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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.

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At a glance

TL;DR · Principal Software Engineer, Platform Team

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Principal Software Engineer (Platform Team) joins the Platform Team to build foundational tooling and security infrastructure that enables internal teams to harness AI effectively. This role involves architecting platforms, onboarding frontier models, scaling compute capacity, and optimizing proxy systems for logging, control, and security. The engineer will develop risk-mitigation tools like intelligent code reviews and automated PR assistants while establishing standards for AI-first workflows across the organization. Key technical requirements include expertise in Docker, Kubernetes, zero-trust security models, multi-cloud integrations, and MLOps. Candidates must possess mastery of Python and experience with infrastructure-as-code and advanced observability. The role focuses on solving the challenge of creating trustworthy, scalable AI capabilities by converting engineering knowledge into reliable automation and production software while managing complex model lifecycles and distributed compute systems to accelerate development at scale.

What does a Software Engineer earn in Texas?

Median $186925 from 189 postings across 40 companies.

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Skills

AI MLOps Python Docker Kubernetes infrastructure-as-code Zero-Trust Security Observability Proxy Systems Model Lifecycle Management

What you'll do

Define and drive the long-term technical vision and architecture for SpaceX’s AI platform and security infrastructure.
Lead high-impact initiatives with full ownership over strategy, design, implementation, and company-wide rollout.
Oversee onboarding of frontier models, massive compute scaling, and optimization of proxy systems for security and efficiency.
Develop advanced risk-mitigation tools including intelligent code reviews, automated PR assistants, and safety systems.
Identify and execute opportunities to turn ideas into production software, trained models, and automated systems.
Establish standards and best practices for lean, secure, and effective applied AI across the organization.
Mentor senior engineers and build reusable assets to drive cultural change toward AI-first workflows.

What we're looking for

Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, or a related field and 7+ years of experience building production platforms.
9+ years of professional experience building and scaling production platforms in lieu of a degree.
Experience designing and operating large-scale AI/ML platforms, internal developer platforms, or mission-critical infrastructure.
Expertise in Docker/Kubernetes ecosystems, zero-trust security models, and multi-cloud or frontier-model integrations.
Deep expertise in MLOps, distributed compute, model lifecycle management, and building highly observable systems.
Mastery of Python and broad expertise across modern languages and tooling.
Experience with infrastructure-as-code and advanced observability tools.
Must be a U.S. citizen, national, lawful permanent resident, or eligible for required export control authorizations.

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