below marketmost similar roles pay hereabove market
This role pays more than
82%
of similar roles. Most pay
$145,000–$214,000
— the blue band above.
At the midpoint, this role pays about
$215k
versus about
$180k
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
851 open roles
on FindRole.
Listed pay typically runs
$130,000–$165,000
across 590 roles with salary data.
The Sr. Software Engineer (Starshield) joins the Starshield software team to support national security efforts through earth observation, communications, and hosted payloads. This role involves building highly reliable in-space mesh networks and secure systems to control hundreds of satellites in low earth orbit. You will manage the full software lifecycle, from prototyping and development to on-orbit rollout. Key responsibilities include writing Linux-based C++ software for processors like ARM and x86, implementing networking technologies, and building automated ground-based systems for smart data processing. You will also develop models for flight-like vehicle software testing and create tools for hardware-in-the-loop testing. Required skills include proficiency in C/C++ and Python, knowledge of computer architecture, and experience with debugging, performance optimization, and unit testing.
What does a Software Engineer earn in California?
Median $214500 from 1193 postings across 76 companies.
Create reliable software systems to control hundreds of satellites in low earth orbit.
Manage the full software lifecycle from initial prototyping and development to on-orbit rollout.
Write high-quality Linux-based C++ software for common processors and microcontrollers.
Implement networking technologies to direct data across satellites, ground centers, and users.
Build automated ground-based software systems for smart data processing and satellite command and control.
Develop models and simulations for flight-like vehicle software testing and network performance analysis.
Create tools for test execution across virtualized hardware, real hardware-in-the-loop, and vehicle-in-the-loop environments.
Invent systems for frequent software deployment and data analysis within a continuous integration pipeline.
What we're looking for
Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, math, or other STEM discipline and 5+ years of software development experience.
7+ years of professional software development experience in lieu of a degree.
Development experience in C/C++, Python, or other similar programming languages.
Must be a U.S. citizen, national, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee eligible for Department of State authorization.
Ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret Security Clearance.
Developed and deployed software that has been used in real-world applications and projects (preferred).
Knowledge of computer architecture, networks, and experience with debugging, performance optimization, and unit testing (preferred).
Experience with networking protocols, Linux kernel development, high-performance C++, image data processing, machine learning, or math and physics (preferred).
C++
Rust
C
Linux
Docker
Kubernetes
PostgreSQL
CockroachDB
ARM
PowerPC
x86
Embedded Systems
Cryptography
Hardware-in-the-loop
Network Performance Analysis
Simulations
Python
C++
Golang
Applied Cryptography
Network Security
Operating System Security
Incident Response
Vulnerability Research
TCP/IP
UDP
Distributed Systems
Security Infrastructure
C++
Python
C
Linux
ARM
PowerPC
x86
TCP
UDP
Machine Learning
Unit Testing
Performance Optimization
Computer Architecture
Networking Protocols
Hardware-in-the-loop
C++
Rust
C
Linux
ARM
PowerPC
x86
Docker
Kubernetes
PostgreSQL
CockroachDB
Embedded Systems
Cryptography
Hardware-in-the-loop
Network Performance Analysis
Simulations