Senior Software Engineer, Simulations (Application Software)

SpaceX

Confirmed live yesterday Low trust

Quick summary

Work type
On-site
Location
Hawthorne, CA
Salary
$160,000–$225,000 / yr
Posted
164 days ago
Freshness
Confirmed live yesterday

Market check

Salary context

Competitive pay

How this pay compares to similar roles

Similar $179k
This role $192k
$131k most similar roles pay here $235k

This role pays more than 64% of similar roles. Most pay $149,500–$208,664 — the shaded band above. At the midpoint, this role pays about $192k versus about $179k 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, Simulations (Application Software)

As a Sr. Software Engineer, Simulations (Application Software), you will join the Simulations team to design, develop, and test in-house simulation software supporting all flight systems. You will be responsible for programming core simulation infrastructure, building models of fluids, electronics, and multi-body physics systems, and developing prototypes to prove key design concepts while improving software reliability and performance. The role requires proficiency in C++, with a strong understanding of distributed computing systems, networking protocols, memory management, and CPU scheduling. Candidates should possess knowledge of classical physics and math, including algebra, calculus, and Euclidean geometry. Experience with open source C++ simulators like ROS2 and Gazebo is preferred. This role provides critical support for flight hardware and software development across various vehicle programs by creating high-fidelity simulations to solve complex engineering challenges in a dynamic environment.

What does a Software Engineer earn in California?

Median $214000 from 775 postings across 63 companies.

See salary data

What you'll do

  • Develop and maintain high-fidelity real-time simulation software for all SpaceX flight systems.
  • Program core simulation infrastructure including models of fluids, electronics, and multi-body physics.
  • Create prototypes to validate key design concepts and quantify technical constraints.
  • Improve the reliability and performance of existing simulation software.
  • Build new features based on feedback from internal simulation software users.
  • Develop high-fidelity simulations used to develop cutting-edge flight hardware and software.

What we're looking for

  • Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, math, or a STEM discipline.
  • 5+ years of experience in software development with a bachelor's degree.
  • 7+ years of professional experience in software development in lieu of a degree.
  • At least 2 years of development experience in C++.
  • Knowledge of distributed computing systems, networking protocols, memory management, and CPU scheduling.
  • Thorough knowledge of classical physics and math including algebra, calculus, and Euclidean geometry.
  • Experience with open source C++ simulators such as ROS2 and Gazebo.
  • Must be a U.S. citizen, national, lawful permanent resident, or eligible for export control authorizations.

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