Senior Software Engineer, Security

SpaceX

Confirmed live yesterday High trust

Quick summary

Work type: On-site
Location: Hawthorne, CA
Salary: $160,000–$225,000 / yr
Posted: 112 days ago
Freshness: Confirmed live yesterday
Nearby: 99+ roles within 25 mi

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Salary context

Competitive pay

How this pay compares to similar roles

Similar $183k

This role $192k

$124k most similar roles pay here $236k

This role pays more than 61% of similar roles. Most pay $151,475–$215,178 — the shaded band above. At the midpoint, this role pays about $192k versus about $183k 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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At a glance

TL;DR · Senior Software Engineer, Security

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Sr. Software Engineer, Security (Starship) joins the Starship Software team to design and build security infrastructure protecting vehicles, pads, operator UIs, and communication links from unauthorized access, data tampering, and denial-of-service attacks. The role involves developing authentication and encryption protocols, identity management, software integrity solutions like secure boot, and backend services for network security systems. You will work with the broader team to establish secure development practices while managing all aspects of software design, testing, and integration. Key technical requirements include proficiency in C++, Python, or Rust, along with experience in real-time embedded systems, distributed computing, and hardware security modules. The position addresses critical security challenges for the Starship spacecraft and Super Heavy rocket, ensuring mission integrity through robust cryptographic primitives, network security, and hardened software across various domains of launch and vehicle operations.

What does a Software Engineer earn in California?

Median $214000 from 775 postings across 63 companies.

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Skills

C++ Rust Python Cryptography Network Security Secure Boot Hardware Security Modules Embedded Systems Distributed Computing Unit Testing Performance Optimization Identity Management Code Hardening Computer Architecture Networking

What you'll do

Design and build security infrastructure to protect Starship vehicles, pads, UIs, and communication links.
Develop authentication protocols, encryption systems, and identity management solutions.
Implement software integrity solutions including secure boot and code hardening.
Integrate specialized hardware such as hardware security modules and cryptographic accelerators into the system.
Manage all aspects of software development including design, testing, and mission integration.
Build backend services and automation to power network security systems.
Establish and maintain secure software development practices and engineering standards across the team.

What we're looking for

Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, math, or a science discipline.
4+ years of experience in software development (or 6+ years of professional experience in lieu of a degree).
4+ years of experience with C++, Python, or Rust.
Experience building or working with real-time embedded systems or distributed computing systems.
Expertise in security domains including cryptography, network security, and secure boot.
Experience with special purpose security hardware like cryptographic accelerators and hardware security modules.
Proficiency in debugging, performance optimization, and unit testing.
Must be a U.S. citizen, national, lawful permanent resident, or eligible for required export control authorizations.