Software Engineer, High Performance Computing

SpaceX

Confirmed live yesterday Low trust

Quick summary

Work type: On-site
Location: Hawthorne, CA
Salary: $125,000–$150,000 / yr
Posted: 67 days ago
Freshness: Confirmed live yesterday
Nearby: 99+ roles within 25 mi

Market check

Salary context

Below market

How this pay compares to similar roles

Similar $191k

This role $138k

$112k most similar roles pay here $249k

This role pays less than 81% of similar roles. Most pay $146,500–$235,750 — the shaded band above. At the midpoint, this role pays about $138k versus about $191k 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 680 open roles on FindRole.

Listed pay typically runs $130,000–$165,000 across 442 roles with salary data.

Most-posted roles

View all roles at SpaceX

At a glance

TL;DR · Software Engineer, High Performance Computing

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Software Engineer, High Performance Computing joins the Starshield software team to develop highly reliable in-space mesh networks and secure systems for government use. This role involves managing the full software lifecycle, from prototyping and development to testing and on-orbit rollout. You will build tools for autonomous vehicle systems, implement networking technologies to route data across satellite constellations, and create automated ground-based systems for command and control. The work focuses on solving complex problems in earth observation, communications, and hosted payloads. Candidates must possess experience with C++, C, or Python to develop Linux-based software for processors like ARM, PowerPC, and x86. Key technical requirements include knowledge of computer architecture, networking protocols such as TCP and UDP, performance optimization, and unit testing. The role requires building systems that ensure satellite constellation security and availability in low earth orbit.

What does a Software Engineer earn in California?

Median $214000 from 775 postings across 63 companies.

See salary data

Skills

C++ Python C Linux ARM PowerPC x86 TCP UDP Machine Learning Unit Testing Hardware-in-the-loop Computer Architecture Networking Protocols Performance Optimization

What you'll do

Create highly reliable software systems to control hundreds of satellites in low earth orbit.
Write high-quality Linux-based C++ software for various processors and microcontrollers.
Implement networking technologies to route data across satellites, ground stations, and users.
Build automated ground-based software systems for smart data processing and satellite command/control.
Develop models and simulations for flight-like vehicle testing and network performance analysis.
Create tools for test execution across virtualized hardware, real hardware-in-the-loop, and vehicle-in-the-loop environments.
Design and implement continuous integration systems to enable frequent and reliable software deployment.

What we're looking for

Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, math, or a related engineering discipline.
At least 2 years of professional software development experience in lieu of a degree.
Experience in C, C++, Python, or full stack software development.
Experience with C++ for high performance systems and real-world applications.
Solid fundamental knowledge of computer architecture and networks.
Strong skills in debugging, performance optimization, and unit testing.
Must be a U.S. citizen, national, lawful permanent resident, or eligible for export control authorizations.
Security Clearance as a condition of employment.

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