Software Engineer, Design Software (Starship)
Content + Source + Freshness • 12 Dec 2025 • 95% confidence
Offer value
Significant opportunity to influence software development in the aerospace industry, combined with competitive compensation.
- Competitive salaries: $120,000–$170,000/year
- Opportunity to influence cutting-edge aerospace software development
- Requires adaptability and problem-solving skills in a fast-paced environment
Pros
- Work on innovative software for next-generation space travel
- Competitive salary range of $120,000 to $170,000/year
- Collaboration with industry experts and engineers in a cutting-edge field
Cons
- High expectations for technical proficiency and adaptability
- Requirements for flexibility in working hours tied to project timelines
- Potential for rigorous problem-solving under high pressure
Who it's for
Mid-level to Senior • On-site, possible extended hours
Good fit
- Mid-career software engineers with relevant technical expertise
- Engineers excited about innovative aerospace solutions
- Professionals seeking a challenge in a dynamic team setting
Not recommended for
- Entry-level software developers
- Those averse to high-pressure problem-solving teams
- Individuals preferring isolated work environments
Motivation fit
Key skills
About the job
SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars.
SOFTWARE ENGINEER, DESIGN SOFTWARE (SOFTWARE RELIABILITY)
Starship is SpaceX’s next generation launch platform that will take humans to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. It is designed to be cost-effective, mass manufacturable, and rapidly reusable. As one of the most expensive and longest-lead parts of the vehicle, the avionics systems require strategic innovation to bring the cost down while also improving the reliability and lead time.
As a Software Engineer on the Design Software team, you will be responsible for writing and maintaining software that interfaces with manufacturing equipment on our production line, with the goal of making our avionics manufacturing process faster and more reliable. This is a high-autonomy role that will require building close relationships with manufacturing staff to understand issues, and coming up with software solutions interfacing with APIs or hardware that may have little or no documentation or vendor support. We are looking for people who like to own a problem from start to finish in a high-responsibility and low-micromanagement environment!
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Develop highly reliable software solutions that are used across SpaceX
- Create new applications that improve how SpaceX operates
- Build prototypes to prove out key design concepts and quantify technical constraints
- Own all aspects of software engineering and product development
- Deep dive into your users’ problems to find and create efficient solutions
- Bring your voice to the table in team collaborations on architecture, design, and code reviews
- Integrate electronics design software to manufacturing equipment
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, math, or scientific discipline; OR 2+ years of professional experience building software in lieu of a degree
- 1+ years of experience in full stack development
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
- Programming experience in Python, C#.NET, Go, Scala, Java, or similar object-oriented language
- 1+ years of rigorous experience building single page web applications
- Experience with version control, continuous integration, and continuous delivery concepts
- Expertise in designing software systems
- Deep understanding of testing, continuous integration, build, deployment & monitoring
- Expertise in profiling and improving application performance
- Experience with build systems (Make, Bazel/Pants/Buck, Gradle) and package management tools (pip, npm)
- Experience with UNIX-like operating systems and tools like Terraform, Ansible, Puppet for managing them
- Experience working with in-stream data processing using Apache Kafka, RabbitMQ, ActiveMQ, or similar technologies
- Production experience with Docker and Kubernetes
- Front-end experience in Angular, React, or similar JavaScript framework
- Database experience with PostgreSQL, SQL Server, or similar database technologies
- Experience integrating third-party industrial equipment (Allen Bradley, Mitsubishi, Fuji, Nordson, etc.)
- Experience integrating third-party CAD Software (NX, Altium, Xpedition, etc.)
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Must be willing to work extended hours/weekends as needed dependent on launch cadence
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
Pay range:
Level I: $120,000.00 - $145,000.00/per year
Level II: $140,000.00 - $170,000.00/per year
Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.
Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock, stock options, or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Exempt employees are eligible for 5 days of sick leave per year.
ITAR REQUIREMENTS:
- To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.
SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.
Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX’s Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should notify the Human Resources Department at (310) 363-6000.
