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. SENSOR DEVELOPMENT ENGINEER (STARSHIP)
The Sensor Development team designs, builds, and tests innovative sensing solutions that are critical to making life on Mars possible. This Senior Sensor Development Engineer will work on this highly interdisciplinary team to characterize navigation sensors, such as accelerometers and gyroscopes, and develop and maintain integrated solutions.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Conduct environmental characterization or inertial sensors (accelerometers and gyroscopes) to ensure all performance and flight-worthiness requirements are met.
- Analyze test data and document results.
- Develop sensor calibration processes.
- Ensure timely production and delivery for vehicle integration.
- Conduct component qualification testing.
- Identify and implement hardware and software upgrades.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor of Science in Mechanical, Electrical, or Aerospace Engineering or Physics with 5+ years of professional experience.
- 3+ years of experience working on inertial sensors.
- Software development experience in Python and C/C++.
- Knowledge of various sensing technologies available and experience in testing, calibrating, and qualifying inertial navigation sensors.
- Familiarity with environmental testing (thermal, vibration, shock).
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
- Master of Science in Mechanical, Electrical, or Aerospace Engineering or Physics
- 5+ years of experience working on inertial sensors.
- Extensive knowledge of navigation-grade inertial sensors (gyroscopes, accelerometers) from design through test.
- Excellent documentation and communication skills.
- Proven track record of successful product ownership and teamwork in fast-paced environments.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Must be able to work extended hours and/or weekends as needed.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
Pay Range:
Senior: $140,000.00 - $205,000.00/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 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 of Science in Mechanical, Electrical, or Aerospace Engineering or Physics with 5+ years of professional experience.
- 3+ years of experience working on inertial sensors.
- Software development experience in Python and C/C++.
- Knowledge of various sensing technologies and experience testing, calibrating, and qualifying inertial navigation sensors.
- Familiarity with environmental testing (thermal, vibration, shock).
- Conduct environmental characterization and component qualification testing for inertial sensors.
- Develop sensor calibration processes and analyze test data, documenting results.
- Ensure timely production and delivery for vehicle integration and implement hardware/software upgrades.
- Must be able to work extended hours and/or weekends as needed.
- ITAR eligibility: must be U.S. citizen or national, U.S. lawful permanent resident, refugee, asylee, or eligible to obtain required authorizations.
- Master of Science in Mechanical, Electrical, or Aerospace Engineering or Physics.
- Extensive knowledge of navigation-grade inertial sensors from design through test.
- Excellent documentation and communication skills.
- Proven track record of successful product ownership and teamwork in fast-paced environments.
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.
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