This role pays more than
79%
of similar roles. Most pay
$137,500–$198,706
— the shaded band above.
At the midpoint, this role pays about
$208k
versus about
$168k
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
788 open roles
on FindRole.
Listed pay typically runs
$130,000–$165,000
across 554 roles with salary data.
As a Sr. 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 leading architecture reviews and designing prototypes to prove key concepts. Your daily work involves building reliable, real-time software to determine optimal beam formations for user, laser, and gateway connections. The role requires proficiency in assembly, C, or C++, alongside experience with distributed systems and internet services. Preferred expertise includes network topology, numerical optimization, graph theoretic approaches, convex optimization, and high-performance computing in resource-constrained environments. You will also develop tools for data analysis, visualization, and test execution across virtualized hardware and on-orbit testing environments.
What does a Software Engineer earn in California?
Median $214000 from 1020 postings across 73 companies.
Develop reliable, real-time software to determine optimal beam formation for low-latency satellite networks.
Lead and participate in architecture design and code reviews.
Create prototypes and manage experiments to validate key design concepts.
Build tools for data analysis, visualization, and test execution across multiple environments.
Manage the full software lifecycle including development, testing, and ongoing support.
Execute tests on virtualized hardware, real hardware-in-the-loop simulations, and on-orbit systems.
What we're looking for
Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, math, or STEM discipline and 5+ years of professional software development experience; OR 7+ years of experience without a degree.
Development experience in assembly, C, or C++.
Knowledgeable in real-time rendering, game engine development, physics simulation, or other high-performance computing (preferred).
Knowledgeable in network topology, numerical optimization, graph theoretic approaches, 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
Distributed Systems
Network Topology
Numerical Optimization
Convex Optimization
Physics Simulation
Game Engine Development
Hardware-in-the-loop
LOW LATENCY COMPUTING
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
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
C
C++
Assembly
High Performance Computing
Distributed Systems
Network Topology
Numerical Optimization
Convex Optimization
Physics Simulation
Game Engine Development