Senior Software Engineer, Special Projects

SpaceX

Confirmed live today Low trust

Quick summary

Work type
On-site
Location
Hawthorne, CA
Salary
$165,000–$230,000 / yr
Posted
140 days ago
Freshness
Confirmed live today

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Salary context

Competitive pay

How this pay compares to similar roles

Similar $184k
This role $198k
$126k $241k
below market most similar roles pay here above market

This role pays more than 64% of similar roles. Most pay $149,500–$217,500 — the blue band above. At the midpoint, this role pays about $198k versus about $184k for comparable roles.

Based on 240 similar postings.

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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 851 open roles on FindRole.

Listed pay typically runs $130,000–$165,000 across 590 roles with salary data.

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At a glance

TL;DR · Senior Software Engineer, Special Projects

Sr. Software Engineer (Special Projects) - Top Secret Clearance As a Sr. Software Engineer on the Special Projects team within the Falcon and Dragon Engineering organization, you will design and implement software and firmware for next-generation avionics systems. You will manage the full software life cycle, including development, testing, and operational support, while ensuring systems behave as expected. Key responsibilities include bringing up and validating devices that communicate to and fly in space, analyzing test results, and performing hands-on integration of flight hardware. You will utilize C, C++, Linux, and bash shell scripting to support common processors and microcontrollers, specifically NXP microcontrollers. The role requires deep knowledge of computer architecture, networks, and verification methodologies to solve complex problems in vehicle system design and launch operations.

What does a Software Engineer earn in California?

Median $214500 from 1193 postings across 76 companies.

See salary data

What you'll do

  • Design and deliver high-quality software and firmware for common processors and micro-controllers.
  • Support launch operations for SpaceX systems.
  • Bring up and validate devices that communicate-to and fly-in space.
  • Analyze test results and bugs requiring in-depth investigations.
  • Perform hands-on integration and troubleshooting of flight hardware and software systems.
  • Manage the full software life cycle including development, testing, and operational support.

What we're looking for

  • Bachelor’s degree in computer science, data science, engineering, math, physics, or scientific discipline.
  • 2+ years of professional experience in writing software in lieu of a degree.
  • 5+ years of experience in software development with C++ or C languages.
  • Active Top Secret, Top Secret SCI, or DOE Level Q clearance.
  • Ability to successfully obtain and maintain a Top Secret Security Clearance.
  • U.S. citizen, national, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee as required by ITAR.
  • Development experience with microcontrollers (preferred).
  • Strong software engineering fundamentals in C++, computer architecture, and networks (preferred).

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