Sr. Software Engineer (Starshield)

SpaceX

Quick summary

Work type: On-site
Location: Hawthorne, CA
Salary: $160,000–$225,000 / yr
Posted: today

Market check

Salary context

Above market

How this pay compares to similar roles

Similar $166k

This role $192k

$119k most similar roles pay here $236k

This role pays more than 70% of similar roles. Most pay $135,000–$197,500 — the shaded band above. At the midpoint, this role pays about $192k versus about $166k 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 604 open roles on FindRole.

Listed pay typically runs $130,000–$155,000 across 440 roles with salary data.

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View all roles at SpaceX

At a glance

TL;DR · Sr. Software Engineer (Starshield)

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As a Senior Software Engineer at Starshield, you will join a team dedicated to building highly reliable in-space mesh networks and secure satellite systems. Your daily tasks will include designing software that controls hundreds of satellites in low Earth orbit, improving constellation performance through innovative software solutions, and collaborating with interdisciplinary teams to develop cutting-edge satellite capabilities such as inter-satellite lasers and space-based cloud computing. You will work with C++ on Linux for various processors, implement networking technologies, and build automated ground systems for command and control. Preferred skills include experience with TCP/UDP protocols, high-performance C++, and knowledge of math and physics. This role involves developing software that addresses real-world challenges in satellite communications and security at a large scale.

Skills

C++ Linux TCP UDP CI/CD Python PostgreSQL Kubernetes AWS Docker Prometheus Grafana

What you'll do

Create highly reliable software systems for controlling hundreds of satellites in low Earth orbit.
Improve satellite constellation performance, security, and availability through software design.
Develop and test software from concept to on-orbit deployment and beyond.
Work with interdisciplinary teams to build next-generation satellite capabilities.
Write high-quality C++ software for various processors used in space systems.

What we're looking for

5+ years of software development experience or equivalent education
Developed and deployed real-world applications and projects
Knowledge of computer architecture and networking protocols
Experience with debugging, performance optimization, and unit testing
Proficiency in C++ for high-performance systems
Background in math and physics preferred

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