Software Engineer, Propulsion Simulation & Data Analysis

SpaceX

Confirmed live yesterday Trusted

Quick summary

Work type: On-site
Location: Hawthorne, CA
Salary: $125,000–$150,000 / yr
Posted: 98 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 $170k

This role $138k

$116k most similar roles pay here $211k

This role pays less than 78% of similar roles. Most pay $142,500–$196,937 — the shaded band above. At the midpoint, this role pays about $138k versus about $170k 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.

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View all roles at SpaceX

At a glance

TL;DR · Software Engineer, Propulsion Simulation & Data Analysis

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As a Software Engineer, Propulsion Simulation & Data Analysis on the Raptor Systems Modeling and Control Team, you will support the power-balance, optimal control, and calibration of advanced rocket engines. You will maintain and improve lumped-parameter thermofluid physics models to conduct engine cycle analysis, resolve anomalies using sparse instrumentation, and develop tools to identify performance variability. Your daily work involves automating software for flight performance predictions and collaborating across teams to standardize hardware and software practices. The role requires expertise in physics-based simulations of dynamic systems, numerical analysis, and signal processing. Preferred technical skills include Python, C#/.NET, C++, Java, and full-stack web development using Angular or React. You will apply knowledge of thermodynamics, thermochemistry, and fluid systems to solve complex engineering problems while building data pipelines for high-dimensional datasets to ensure the safety and optimality of flight trajectories.

What does a Software Engineer earn in California?

Median $214000 from 775 postings across 63 companies.

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Skills

Python C#/.NET C++ Java Angular React JavaScript Version Control Data Pipelines Numerical Analysis Signal Processing Physics-based Simulation Monte Carlo Analysis Thermodynamics

What you'll do

Maintain and improve the accuracy of the Raptor engine's lumped-parameter thermofluid physics model.
Conduct engine cycle analysis to guide future design decisions and thrust upgrades.
Perform root cause analysis for anomalies using engine models and sparse instrumentation data.
Improve the representation of the Raptor engine for integrated vehicle simulations and flight Monte Carlo analysis.
Develop tools and portals to identify sources of performance variability in manufacturing and hardware design.
Automate software tools to predict test performance and generate flight predictions for guidance, navigation, and control systems.
Build data pipelines to sanitize, curate, and visualize high-dimensional datasets.

What we're looking for

Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, or a STEM discipline.
At least 1 year of experience writing computer software.
At least 1 year of experience with physics-based simulations of real dynamic systems.
Proficiency in the principles of compressible and incompressible flow, thermodynamics, thermochemistry, mechanics, and materials.
Experience with dynamical systems modeling and lumped parameter modeling of physical systems.
Ability to develop performant code in Python, C#/.NET, C++, or Java.
Experience building data pipelines for high dimensional datasets and performing numerical analysis or signal processing.
Must be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, refugee, asylee, or eligible for required export control authorizations.