This role pays less than
76%
of similar roles. Most pay
$138,650–$197,500
— the shaded band above.
At the midpoint, this role pays about
$138k
versus about
$168k
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
720 open roles
on FindRole.
Listed pay typically runs
$130,000–$165,000
across 511 roles with salary data.
Software Engineer, Beam Planning (Starlink) joins the Starlink program to develop real-time software that determines which beams should be formed for a low-latency, high-bandwidth satellite-based global network. The role involves managing the complete software lifecycle, including development, testing, and support, while leading architecture designs and code reviews. You will build prototypes, manage experiments, and create tools for data analysis, visualization, and test execution across virtualized hardware and on-orbit environments. Candidates should possess experience in assembly, C, or C++. Preferred skills include knowledge of real-time rendering, game engine development, physics simulation, network topology, numerical optimization, graph theoretic approaches, and convex optimization. This position addresses the technical challenge of optimizing a large laser mesh network in orbit to provide high-quality internet access through advanced satellite infrastructure and sophisticated beam management systems.
What does a Software Engineer earn in Washington?
Median $202800 from 341 postings across 36 companies.
Develop real-time software to determine optimal beam configurations for low-latency satellite networks.
Lead architecture, design, and code reviews for mission-critical software systems.
Create prototypes and manage experiments to validate key design concepts.
Build tools for data analysis, visualization, and test execution across multiple environments.
Execute testing on virtualized hardware, real hardware-in-the-loop simulations, and on-orbit systems.
Manage the full software lifecycle including development, testing, and performance feedback loops.
What we're looking for
Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, math, or science; or 2+ years of professional software development experience (including internships).
Development experience in assembly, C, or C++.
Knowledge of real-time rendering, game engine development, physics simulation, or other high-performance computing (preferred).
Knowledge of network topology, numerical optimization, graph theory, or convex optimization (preferred).
Experience developing, debugging, and deploying software for real-world applications (preferred).
Experience with distributed systems and internet services (preferred).
Creative problem solving, analytical skills, engineering fundamentals, and excellent communication skills (preferred).
Must be a U.S. citizen, national, lawful permanent resident, or eligible for required export control authorizations.
C
C++
Assembly
Distributed Systems
Network Topology
Numerical Optimization
Convex Optimization
Physics Simulation
Game Engine Development
Hardware-in-the-loop
High-Performance Computing
C
C++
Assembly
High Performance Computing
Network Topology
Numerical Optimization
Convex Optimization
Distributed Systems
Physics Simulation
Game Engine Development
C
C++
Assembly
High-Performance Computing
Distributed Systems
Network Topology
Numerical Optimization
Convex Optimization
Physics Simulation
Game Engine Development