Software Engineer, C++ Simulations

SpaceX

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Quick summary

Work type: On-site
Location: Redmond, WA
Salary: $125,000–$165,000 / yr
Posted: 83 days ago
Freshness: Confirmed live today
Nearby: 99+ roles within 25 mi

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Competitive pay

How this pay compares to similar roles

Similar $168k

This role $145k

$116k $206k

below market most similar roles pay here above market

This role pays more than 50% of similar roles. Most pay $137,500–$197,500 — the blue band above. At the midpoint, this role pays about $145k versus about $168k for comparable roles.

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 851 open roles on FindRole.

Listed pay typically runs $130,000–$165,000 across 590 roles with salary data.

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At a glance

TL;DR · Software Engineer, C++ Simulations

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As a Software Engineer, C++ Simulations (Starlink) on the Starlink GNC team, you will lead the architecture, refactoring, and development of high-performance C++ core infrastructure for in-house vehicle dynamics simulators. You will build dispersed Monte Carlo simulations, hardware-in-the-loop setups, testing frameworks, and GNC-specific data visualization tools. Your daily work involves designing scalable simulation backbones, modeling multi-body physics, environmental perturbations, and vehicle power or propulsion hardware. You must demonstrate expert-level C++ skills, including multi-threading, concurrency, and data-oriented design, alongside a foundation in physics and numerical methods. The role requires proficiency in performance profiling, continuous integration, and unit testing to solve complex aerospace simulation challenges. Secondary skills in Python or front-end technologies like JS are also utilized for supporting tools and visualization components.

What does a Software Engineer earn in Washington?

Median $202800 from 409 postings across 38 companies.

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Skills

C++ High-Performance Computing Monte Carlo Simulation Multi-threading Concurrency Unit Testing Integration Testing Performance Profiling Numerical Methods Python Data-Oriented Design Hardware-in-the-Loop Physics Engines Real-time Systems

What you'll do

Architect and lead the design, refactoring, and evolution of the core C++ vehicle dynamics simulator.
Build and improve high-performance C++ Monte Carlo simulation infrastructure including parallelization and dispersion handling.
Develop new simulation features, models, and support tooling to improve performance and usability.
Own performance optimization, profiling, continuous integration, and reliability improvements across the simulation stack.
Design and implement new testing frameworks and GNC-specific data visualization components.
Model multi-body physics, environmental effects, and hardware behaviors in collaboration with cross-functional teams.

What we're looking for

Bachelor’s degree in a STEM discipline and 1+ years of software development experience.
4+ years of professional software development experience in performant C++ or numerical simulations.
Expert-level C++ skills in memory management, multi-threading, and data-oriented design (preferred).
Experience building or optimizing high-performance simulations, physics engines, or real-time systems (preferred).
High-performance computing background including parallel computing and profiling tools (preferred).
Strong software design and architecture skills for large-scale, maintainable C++ systems (preferred).
Solid foundation in physics and mathematics (preferred).
U.S. citizen, national, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee eligible for Department of State authorization.

5+ yrs exp

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