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.
SR. MISSION INTEGRATION ENGINEER, AI (STARSHIELD)
Special Programs leverages technology and launch capability to support national security efforts. Starshield, within Special Programs, is designed for government use, with an initial focus on earth observation, communications, and hosted payloads.
The data applications team is building highly reliable mission-critical AI solutions supporting Starshield use-cases. You will drive the development and enhancement of core applications while collaborating cross-functionally to deliver end-to-end products. Aerospace experience is not required to be successful here—we want our engineers to bring fresh ideas from all areas. We look for engineers who love solving problems and seek to make an impact on an inspiring mission. As we expand this team, we’re looking for versatile, motivated, and collaborative engineers.
Our team is responsible for identifying pain points, scoping product specifications, and designing and building LLM-powered software for government or enterprise use cases. This role will enhance model performance through system prompt tuning or fine-tuning, with an eye toward secure and scalable deployment.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Develop full-stack solutions to manage scalable AI content interaction systems with user applications
- Develop prototypes to prove key design concepts and quantify technical constraints
- Apply creativity to build an immersive earth observation experience for users whether they are in offices or in the field
- See your software through from start-to-finish: from figuring out the core needs to prototyping, developing, and testing; to production rollout and beyond
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree in computer science, data science, physics, mathematics, or engineering discipline
- 5+ experience developing Python applications
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
- Professional experience developing web services and distributed applications across cloud and on-premise networks
- Professional experience developing within Linux server environments, SSH, scripting, and configuration
- Experience with Kubernetes or similar container orchestration frameworks
- Experience with Model Context Protocol or large model content interaction systems
- Experience with developing RAG pipelines, tool callers, and AI orchestration systems
- Experience with Vector databases or implementing highly performant databases
- Experience with image data processing and machine learning
- Experience with graphics-intensive web application development
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed
- Active Top Secret, Top Secret SCI, or DOE Level Q clearance
- 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:
Mission Integration Engineer/Senior: $130,000.00 - $180,000.00/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. Those with an active clearance will receive a 10% differential, up to an additional $20,000 annually, once officially briefed into a classified program.
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].
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in computer science, data science, physics, mathematics, or engineering discipline
- 5+ years experience developing Python applications
- Active Top Secret, Top Secret SCI, or DOE Level Q clearance
- Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed
- U.S. person status per ITAR (U.S. citizen, U.S. national, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee) or eligible for required Department of State authorizations
- Professional experience developing web services and distributed applications across cloud and on-premise networks
- Experience developing within Linux server environments, SSH, scripting, and configuration
- Experience with Kubernetes or similar container orchestration frameworks
- Experience with Model Context Protocol or large model content interaction systems
- Experience developing RAG pipelines, tool callers, and AI orchestration systems
- Experience with vector databases or implementing highly performant databases
- Experience with image data processing and machine learning
- Experience with graphics-intensive web application development
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.
