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 (VEHICLE ENGINEERING)
Be a founding member of the Artificial Intelligence Software Engineering team, focusing on solving complex data problems for our launch vehicles and spacecraft.
Our team is creating AI systems to accelerate software development and testing, avionics design, flight data review, logistics, and mission operations. Your work will directly support the world's largest satellite constellation, accelerate rapid reuse of the Falcon launch vehicle, and contribute to the development of the world's largest rocket capable of sending humans to Mars.
The role will consist of utilizing existing AI technologies and developing in-house solutions and processes to safely use AI. You will be responsible for working with a diverse set of technologies including setting up Large Language Models (LLMs) with Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG), training internal models on SpaceX data, using Machine Learning (ML) to intelligently extract knowledge hidden in time-series data and developing new technologies to help engineers rapidly design and test space hardware including electronics and propulsion systems. The team will work closely with engineers throughout the company to create new AI systems to unlock engineering bottlenecks and transform how engineering data is accessed and used at SpaceX.
Aerospace experience is not required to be successful here - rather, we look for smart, motivated, collaborative engineers who love solving problems and want to make an impact on an inspiring mission. You will have full ownership of challenging problems and work with a team of enthusiastic engineers to design and produce AI solutions that enable SpaceX to move towards our goals at a rapid pace.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Develop highly reliable and scalable artificial intelligence pipelines to empower engineers across all SpaceX departments
- Create new AI applications that will revolutionize day to day operations for engineers at SpaceX
- Build AI driven data review tools
- Collaborate with peers on architecture, design, and code reviews
- Build prototypes to prove out key AI design concepts and quantify technical constraints
- Own all aspects of AI software engineering and product development from initial prototyping
- Deep dive into engineering problems to find efficient AI solutions
- Develop security policies to protect data and user based policies to develop robust AI standards
- Ensure that AI systems are properly vetted to ensure accurate and reliable output
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor's degree in computer science, data science, engineering, math or physics; OR 4+ years of professional experience building software in lieu of a degree
- 1+ years of experience in AI software engineering, full stack development, and data science
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
- Programming experience in Python, C++, or similar languages
- Building LLM RAG pipelines in LlamaIndex or similar
- Experience fine tuning LLM models
- Experience building complex Agentic workflows
- Experience training ML models for computer vision systems
- Experience working with AI systems and Machine learning and tools such as PyTorch, Tensorflow, or similar
- Experience with relational databases, non-relational databases, vector databases, PostgreSQL, Qdrant, or similar
- Experience Deploying containerized applications systems using Docker and Kubernetes
- Experience developing on Linux systems
- Good understanding of version control, testing, continuous integration, build, deployment and monitoring
- Front-end experience in React, or similar JavaScript framework
- Good understanding of statistics, machine learning algorithms and frameworks
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Must be available to work extended hours and weekends when needed to meet critical deadlines
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
Pay range:
AI Software Engineer/Level I: $120,000.00 - $150,000.00/per year
AI Software Engineer/Level II: $140,000.00 - $175,000.00/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. 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].
Top Skills
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.
