Software Engineer, Flight Software

SpaceX

Confirmed live yesterday High trust

Quick summary

Work type: On-site
Location: Starbase, TXBrownsville, TX
Posted: 136 days ago
Freshness: Confirmed live yesterday
Nearby: 90 roles within 25 mi

Market check

Salary context

How this pay compares to similar roles

Similar $165k

$117k most similar roles pay here $201k

This listing doesn't post a salary. Most similar roles pay $136,781–$193,000.

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 790 open roles on FindRole.

Listed pay typically runs $130,000–$165,000 across 555 roles with salary data.

Most-posted roles

View all roles at SpaceX

At a glance

TL;DR · Software Engineer, Flight Software

Role Posting Log in to save

As a Software Engineer, Flight Software (Starship), you will join the Starship software team to design, develop, and test software used to control and simulate SpaceX flight systems. You will be responsible for building highly reliable autonomous software systems and the simulations required to validate them while owning all aspects of development, including testing and integration. Collaborating with hardware and software engineers, you will work across multiple layers—including application, operating system, networking, firmware, and simulation—to manage the pad, ship, and booster. The role requires proficiency in C++, Rust, or other systems programming languages, along with experience in real-time embedded systems or distributed computing. You will solve complex problems related to flight control and vehicle software while maintaining high engineering standards for a reusable transportation system designed for orbit, moon, and Mars missions.

What does a Software Engineer earn in Texas?

Median $178175 from 164 postings across 41 companies.

See salary data

Skills

C++ Rust Systems Programming Real-time Embedded Systems Distributed Computing Firmware Networking Simulation Electronics Software Engineering Best Practices

What you'll do

Design, develop, and test software used to control and simulate SpaceX flight systems.
Develop highly reliable autonomous software systems for spacecraft operations.
Create simulations required to validate autonomous software performance.
Own all aspects of the software lifecycle including design, testing, and integration.
Implement and debug software across application, operating system, networking, firmware, and simulation layers.
Maintain launch and vehicle software to ensure control of the pad, ship, and booster.
Follow and maintain high software standards and engineering best practices within the Starship program.

What we're looking for

Bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, computer engineering, electrical engineering, or another engineering discipline.
2+ years of professional software development experience in lieu of a degree.
Must be a U.S. citizen, national, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee (or eligible for such authorizations).
Proven skills and knowledge of C++, Rust, or other systems programming languages (preferred).
Experience building or working with real-time embedded systems or distributed computing systems (preferred).
Basic knowledge of electronics, controls, fluid systems, motor design, or physical mechanics (preferred).
Strong critical thinking and first-principles problem-solving skills (preferred).
Excellent written and verbal communication skills (preferred).