This role pays less than
53%
of similar roles. Most pay
$138,650–$205,362
— the shaded band above.
At the midpoint, this role pays about
$148k
versus about
$172k
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.
As a Software Engineer, Low Latency Computing (Starlink), you will join the Starlink program as a Beam Planning and Network Software Engineer to optimize hardware utilization for a low-latency, high-bandwidth satellite-based global network. You will manage the full software lifecycle, including development, testing, and support, while building highly reliable, real-time software to determine beam formation for user, laser, and gateway connections. Your daily work involves leading architecture reviews, developing prototypes to prove design concepts, and creating tools for data analysis, visualization, and test execution across virtualized and hardware-in-the-loop environments. The role requires proficiency in assembly, C, or C++, with preferred expertise in real-time rendering, network topology, numerical optimization, graph theory, and convex optimization. You will solve complex problems to improve the performance of a large laser mesh network in orbit.
What does a Software Engineer earn in California?
Median $214000 from 869 postings across 70 companies.
Develop real-time software to determine optimal beam formation for low-latency satellite networks.
Lead architecture design and conduct rigorous code reviews for network software.
Build prototypes and manage experiments to validate key design concepts.
Create tools for data analysis, visualization, and test execution across multiple environments.
Manage the full software lifecycle including development, testing, and production support.
Execute tests on virtualized hardware, real hardware-in-the-loop simulations, and on-orbit systems.
Optimize network performance using numerical optimization or graph theoretic approaches.
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).
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
High-Performance Computing
Distributed Systems
Network Topology
Numerical Optimization
Convex Optimization
Physics Simulation
Game Engine Development
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
Hardware-in-the-loop
Simulation
C++
C
Assembly
High Performance Computing
Distributed Systems
Network Topology
Numerical Optimization
Convex Optimization
Physics Simulation
Game Engine Development
Hardware-in-the-loop
Simulation