below marketmost similar roles pay hereabove market
This role pays more than
76%
of similar roles. Most pay
$154,450–$217,500
— the blue band above.
At the midpoint, this role pays about
$218k
versus about
$186k
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
861 open roles
on FindRole.
Listed pay typically runs
$130,000–$165,000
across 585 roles with salary data.
As a Sr. AI Security Software Engineer (Starshield), you will join the newly formed AI security team to develop AI-powered automation and platforms for national security. You will design and build security-critical agents to automate network and systems defense, identify and fix infrastructure vulnerabilities, and perform real-time detections and investigations. Your daily work involves leveraging AI for fast-paced development while ensuring these tools remain highly trusted and secure. You will utilize software development languages including Python, C++, and Golang to build production software across the stack, including backend services and Kubernetes containerized deployments. The role requires expertise in agent engineering, robust software system design, and network security to solve the problem of countering adversary threats at speeds exceeding human capabilities within the Starshield program.
Design and build security-critical agents to automate network and systems defense.
Leverage AI to discover and fix security issues within Starshield infrastructure.
Provide guidance and perform testing for AI integrations into new and existing systems.
Identify program areas where automation and AI can provide meaningful security improvements.
Maintain production systems and improve security posture through direct implementation and recommendations.
Develop AI-powered platforms for real-time detection, investigation, and network defense.
What we're looking for
Bachelor's degree in a STEM discipline and 5+ years of software development experience; OR 7+ years of security software development experience in lieu of a degree.
Experience with one or more software development languages such as Python, C++, or Golang.
Ability to successfully obtain and maintain a Top Secret Security Clearance.
U.S. citizen, national, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee eligible for Department of State authorization.
Experience designing and building production software across the stack, including backend services, data models, and modern web frontends (preferred).
Experience taking software from prototype to production using Kubernetes, CI pipelines, monitoring, and secure connections (preferred).
Experience designing, prompting, and securing agents for long-running autonomous tasks (preferred).
Experience in fundamental security engineering areas like identity, cryptography, network security, and operating system security (preferred).
Python
C++
Golang
AI
Machine Learning
Kubernetes
Network Security
Cryptography
Operating System Security
Containerized Deployment
Monitoring
Backend Services
Web Frontends
Python
C++
Golang
AI
Machine Learning
Kubernetes
Network Security
Cryptography
Operating System Security
Containerized Deployment
Monitoring
Data Models
Backend Services
Web Frontends
Python
C++
Golang
Applied Cryptography
Network Security
Operating System Security
Incident Response
Vulnerability Research
TCP/IP
UDP
Distributed Systems
Security Infrastructure
Python
C++
Golang
Applied Cryptography
Network Security
Operating System Security
Incident Response
Vulnerability Research
TCP/IP
UDP
Distributed Systems
Security Infrastructure