Software Engineer, C++ (Simulations)

SpaceX

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Quick summary

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

Market check

Salary context

Below market

How this pay compares to similar roles

Similar $179k
This role $142k
$114k most similar roles pay here $226k

This role pays less than 72% of similar roles. Most pay $142,400–$215,000 — the shaded band above. At the midpoint, this role pays about $142k versus about $179k 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 729 open roles on FindRole.

Listed pay typically runs $130,000–$165,000 across 479 roles with salary data.

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At a glance

TL;DR · Software Engineer, C++ (Simulations)

As a Software Engineer, C++ (Simulations), you will join the Simulations team to design, develop, and test in-house simulation software supporting all flight systems. You will be responsible for programming core simulation infrastructure while collaborating across engineering groups to build high-fidelity models of fluids, electronics, and multi-body physics systems. Your daily work involves developing real-time simulation software, creating prototypes to prove design concepts, improving performance, and building new features based on user feedback. The role requires proficiency in C++, with a focus on distributed computing systems, networking protocols, memory management, and CPU scheduling. You will apply knowledge of classical physics, algebra, calculus, and Euclidean geometry to solve complex problems. Experience with open-source tools like ROS2 and Gazebo is preferred as you develop critical software for vehicles including Falcon, Dragon, Starlink, and Starship.

What does a Software Engineer earn in California?

Median $214000 from 777 postings across 68 companies.

See salary data

What you'll do

  • Develop and maintain high-fidelity real-time simulation software for all SpaceX flight systems.
  • Program core simulation infrastructure and build models of fluids, electronics, and multi-body physics.
  • Create prototypes to prove key design concepts and quantify technical constraints.
  • Improve the reliability and performance of existing simulation software.
  • Develop new features and improve user experiences based on feedback from internal users.
  • Perform debugging, performance optimization, and unit testing for C++ based systems.

What we're looking for

  • Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, math, or STEM discipline, or 2+ years of professional software development experience.
  • At least 1 year of development experience in C++.
  • Must be a U.S. citizen, national, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee (or eligible for such status) to meet ITAR requirements.
  • Strong software design and development skills in C++ (preferred).
  • Understanding of distributed computing systems, networking protocols, memory management, and CPU scheduling (preferred).
  • Thorough knowledge of classical physics and math including algebra, calculus, and Euclidean geometry (preferred).
  • Skills in debugging, performance optimization, unit testing, and creative problem solving (preferred).
  • Experience with open source C++ simulators such as ROS2 and Gazebo (preferred).

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