AI Security Software Engineer (Starshield)

SpaceX; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 130,000 - 195,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

401(k) plan

Medical, vision, dental coverage

Paid parental leave

Vacation and holidays

Job summary

SpaceX is seeking an AI Security Software Engineer (Starshield) in Washington, DC to develop AI-powered automation for securing Starshield infrastructure. You will design and deploy production-grade agents, apply AI to detect and fix vulnerabilities, and ensure secure, scalable software across systems.

Ideal candidates have strong software experience (Python/C++/Go), production-grade deployment skills (Kubernetes, CI/CD), and a passion for AI and security.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in CS or STEM or 2+ years of security software experience.
• Experience with Python, C++, or Go.
• Willingness to obtain Top Secret/DOE clearance or already holding one.

Responsibilities

• Design and build security-critical agents for Starshield that automate network and systems defense.
• Leverage AI to discover and fix security issues in Starshield infrastructure and systems.
• Provide guidance and testing of AI integrations into Starshield systems.
• Identify new areas for security improvements via automation and AI.
• Maintain production systems and improve security posture through implementation and recommendations.

Skills

Python

C++

Golang

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS or STEM

2+ years security software experience

Tools

Kubernetes

CI/CD pipelines

Job description

AI Security Software Engineer (Starshield)

Washington, DC

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.

AI is rapidly transforming the national security landscape. SpaceX needs to lead the way by developing AI solutions to solve the most pressing security problems. We can no longer respond at human speed in order to counter threats from adversaries — it is critical that we develop solutions to deal with this problem now.

As an engineer on the newly formed AI security team, you will develop AI-powered automation and platforms to identify and fix vulnerabilities, perform real-time detections/investigations/network defense, and more. This team heavily leverages AI for fast-paced development and rollout, while also ensuring that these AI security tools can be highly trusted and secure themselves. If you are passionate about AI, software, and security this role is for you.

Prior security engineering experience is preferred but not required. A great candidate has experience and/or deep enthusiasm for AI, agent engineering, robust software system design, and network and systems security.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Design and build security-critical agents for Starshield that automate network and systems defense
• Leverage AI to discover and fix security issues in Starshield infrastructure and systems
• Provide guidance and perform testing of AI integrations into new and existing Starshield systems
• Identify new areas of the program where meaningful security improvements can be gained via automation and AI
• Maintain existing production systems and improve security posture via both direct implementation and recommendations to other teams

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in computer science or another STEM discipline; OR 2+ years of professional experience in security software development in lieu of a degree
• Experience with one or more software development languages (i.e. Python, C++, Golang)

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Experience designing and building production software across the stack, including backend services, data models and migrations, and modern web frontends
• Experience taking software from prototype to production: containerized deployment on Kubernetes, CI pipelines, monitoring, and secure connections between services
• Experience designing, prompting, and securing agents that can perform long-running autonomous tasks
• Experience applying AI or machine learning approaches to classification and decision problems such as identifying malicious activity or malicious inputs to an agent
• Experience designing AI systems that learn and improve over time
• Experience in fundamental security engineering areas: identity, cryptography, network security, operating system security, detection and monitoring
• Flexibility, communicating clearly, and establishing and maintaining productive working relationships with other engineering teams
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
• Ability to work both independently and in a team
• Active Top Secret, Top Secret SCI, or DOE Level Q clearance

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed
• This position requires successfully obtaining and maintaining a Top Secret Security Clearance as a condition of employment. While the clearance may not be immediately necessary upon hire, we encourage you to initiate the application process promptly upon accepting this offer. Your ability to secure the necessary clearance is essential for fulfilling key responsibilities of the role. Should you be unable to obtain it, SpaceX reserves the right to modify or terminate your employment to align with operational needs.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Pay Range:

• Level 1: $130,000.00 - $160,000.00
• Level 2: $150,000.00 - $195,000.00

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.

Those with an active clearance will receive a 10% differential, up to an additional $20,000 annually, once officially briefed into a classified program.

• 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 Affnitve Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to [e-mail] .