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.
LEAD SOFTWARE ENGINEER, COMPONENTS TEST (STARSHIELD)
Starshield is a satellite development program focused on efforts in earth observation, communications, and hosted payloads that enable innovation in national security efforts. The Starshield Satellite Hardware Test Team develops test solutions for the most cutting-edge, high volume communication satellites and ground stations in the world. Testing is a fundamental quality check and last line of defense before our products are installed for flight.
As Lead Software Engineer, you will have the unique opportunity to lead the design and development of test software infrastructure that will validate the performance of these components in a cross-disciplinary environment. You will be expected to create new test systems and infrastructure from the ground up to test hardware, software, and the interface between the two. Our engineers are endlessly curious, love to learn and try out new things, and work collaboratively across disciplines in a dynamic environment with changing needs as we strive to deliver high-impact technology on a global scale.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Provide strong technical leadership with a focus on continuous improvement
- Manage projects and delegate responsibilities effectively to complete work on time
- Determine team goals to effectively reduce software maintenance burden
- Develop modular, reusable test and automation software in Python and similar languages for manufacturing and engineering design verification
- Write automation software to interact with flight hardware, test equipment, instrumentation, and production documentation systems
- Develop custom automation solutions to engineering and manufacturing challenges using a combination of embedded electronics and innovative hardware
- Develop algorithms to analyze complex test data to determine if components have met acceptance criteria
- Maintain and troubleshoot existing automation infrastructure and work with partner teams to determine and correct root cause of failures
- Define and implement project plans, manage milestones and hold reviews to assure reliable test systems are delivered to production
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree in computer science, computer engineering, physics or engineering discipline
- 5+ years of development experience in object-oriented language
- 2+ years of development experience in Python
- 2+ years of experience with Linux operating systems
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
- Experience leading a team of diverse individuals
- Excellent communication skills both written and verbal
- Experience with control feedback loop design and implementation
- Experience developing, debugging, and deploying software used in real-world applications
- Experience with continuous integration and agile development
- Extensive knowledge of digital and analog interfaces, including GPIB, USB, VISA, TCP/IP, VLAN, CAN bus, SPI, I2C, Modbus, and analog-to-digital conversion
- Experience troubleshooting interactions between software and hardware, such as network devices and lab instrumentation
- Experience automating processes and testing to improve manufacturing yields and reduce production time
- Ability to work effectively in a dynamic environment with changing needs and requirements
- Knowledge of computer architecture and networks
- Creative approach to problem solving, exceptional analytical skills and engineering fundamentals
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed
- Note that an active clearance may provide the opportunity for you to work on sensitive SpaceX missions; if so, you will be subject to pre-employment drug and random drug and alcohol testing
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
Pay Range:
$165,000.00 - $265,000.00
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 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. Employees accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law.
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 reach out to [email protected].
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in computer science, computer engineering, physics, or an engineering discipline
- 5+ years of development experience in an object-oriented programming language
- 2+ years of development experience in Python
- 2+ years of experience with Linux operating systems
- Experience leading a team of diverse individuals
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Experience with control feedback loop design and implementation
- Experience developing, debugging, and deploying software used in real-world applications
- Experience with continuous integration and agile development
- Knowledge of digital and analog interfaces, including GPIB, USB, VISA, TCP/IP, VLAN, CAN bus, SPI, I2C, Modbus, and analog-to-digital conversion
- Experience troubleshooting software and hardware interactions, including network devices and lab instrumentation
- Experience automating processes and testing to improve manufacturing yields and reduce production time
- Ability to work effectively in a dynamic environment with changing needs and requirements
- Knowledge of computer architecture and networks
- Creative problem-solving approach, exceptional analytical skills, and strong engineering fundamentals
- Willingness to work extended hours and weekends as needed
- Must meet applicable ITAR eligibility requirements or obtain required U.S. Department of State authorizations
SpaceX Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about SpaceX and has not been reviewed or approved by SpaceX.
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Equity Value & Accessibility — Equity grants are a core part of total compensation, with periodic company-run tender offers that create liquidity before any public listing. These mechanisms can make the equity component feel materially valuable in practice.
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Healthcare Strength — The package includes comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, with on-site clinics and health resources at major sites. This breadth of coverage is presented as a strong element of the offering.
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Wellbeing & Lifestyle Benefits — Major locations feature on-site amenities such as fitness facilities, food/coffee, clinics, and other conveniences. These lifestyle perks enhance day-to-day value alongside cash and equity.
SpaceX Insights
What We Do
SpaceX designs, manufactures and launches the world’s most advanced rockets and spacecraft. The company was founded in 2002 by Elon Musk to revolutionize space transportation, with the ultimate goal of making life multiplanetary. SpaceX has gained worldwide attention for a series of historic milestones. It is the only private company ever to return a spacecraft from low-Earth orbit, which it first accomplished in December 2010. The company made history again in May 2012 when its Dragon spacecraft attached to the International Space Station, exchanged cargo payloads, and returned safely to Earth — a technically challenging feat previously accomplished only by governments. Since then Dragon has delivered cargo to and from the space station multiple times, providing regular cargo resupply missions for NASA.
