Application Software Engineer

SpaceX; Hawthorne (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 145,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceX is seeking an Application Software Engineer to develop mission-critical applications that accelerate launch operations and enable the growth of the Starlink network. This role focuses on creating systems that support concurrent data streams and manufacturing software for high throughput factories, offering talented engineers ownership over impactful projects.

Benefits

Comprehensive health coverage

401(k) retirement plan

Paid parental leave

Paid vacation and holidays

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Qualifications

• 1+ years of experience in full stack development.
• Experience with version control, testing and monitoring.
• Deep understanding of software design and deployment.

Responsibilities

• Develop reliable software solutions and standalone applications.
• Build prototypes to validate key design concepts.
• Collaborate with teams on architecture and code reviews.

Skills

Python

C#.NET

Go

Java

Scala

Front-end development

Continuous integration

Docker

Kubernetes

Education

Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, math, or scientific discipline

Job description

Join to apply for the Application Software Engineer role at SpaceX

Join to apply for the Application Software Engineer role at SpaceX

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.

APPLICATION SOFTWARE ENGINEER

The application software team is the central nervous system of SpaceX – we create mission critical applications that are used throughout SpaceX to accelerate launch vehicle production and flight as well as systems that allow Starlink to grow into a worldwide fast, reliable Internet service. We are looking for engineers who treat fellow teammates with fairness, respect, and support.

Our team is currently creating and evolving systems to enable rapid build and reuse of Starship as well as designing the next generation manufacturing software that will be used in high throughput factories for Starlink. Other applications range from platforms that support concurrent streams of data from many always-on assets to manage the world’s largest satellite constellation to public facing systems where customers can join our Starlink network globally. We work closely with engineers throughout the company to create and update our systems with respect to crewed launches, Starship flights, changes to the Starlink network and much more.

Aerospace experience is not required to be successful here - rather we look for smart, motivated, respectful, collaborative engineers who love solving problems and want to make an impact on a super inspiring mission. You will have full ownership of challenging problems, working with a team of enthusiastic engineers with diverse perspectives to design and produce solutions that enable SpaceX to move towards our goals at a rapid pace. The success of the missions at SpaceX depends on the software that you and your team produce.

Responsibilities

• Develop highly reliable software solutions that are used across SpaceX
• Create new applications that improve how SpaceX operates
• Build prototypes to prove out key design concepts and quantify technical constraints
• Own all aspects of software engineering and product development
• Deep dive into your users’ problems to find and create efficient solutions
• Bring your voice to the table in team collaborations on architecture, design, and code reviews
  
  

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, math, or scientific discipline; OR 2+ years of professional experience building software in lieu of a degree
• 1+ years of experience in full stack development
  
  

Preferred Skills And Experience

• Programming experience in Python, C#.NET, Go, Scala, Java, or similar object-oriented language
• 1+ years of rigorous experience building single page web applications
• Experience with version control, continuous integration, and continuous delivery concepts
• Expertise in designing software systems
• Deep understanding of testing, continuous integration, build, deployment & monitoring
• Expertise in profiling and improving application performance
• Experience with build systems (Make, Bazel/Pants/Buck, Gradle) and package management tools (pip, npm)
• Experience with UNIX-like operating systems and tools like Terraform, Ansible, Puppet for managing them
• Experience working with in-stream data processing using Apache Kafka, RabbitMQ, ActiveMQ, or similar technologies
• Production experience with Docker and Kubernetes
• Front-end experience in Angular, React, or similar JavaScript framework
• Database experience with PostgreSQL, SQL Server, or similar database technologies
  
  

Additional Requirements

• You may be asked to work extended hours/weekends dependent on launch cadence
  
  

Compensation And Benefits

Pay Range:

Software Engineer/Level I: $120,000.00 - $145,000.00/per year

Software Engineer/Level II: $140,000.00 - $170,000.00/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 [e-mail].

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Entry level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Engineering and Information Technology

• Industries

  Aviation and Aerospace Component Manufacturing

Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at SpaceX by 2x

Get notified about new Software Engineer jobs in Hawthorne, CA.

Don't see a job that matches your experience? Submit your resume here!

ML Software Engineer (L4/L5) - Media Algorithms

Santa Monica, CA $100,800.00-$161,000.00 1 week ago

Los Angeles, CA $90,000.00-$120,000.00 1 month ago

Hawthorne, CA $129,300.00-$223,600.00 1 week ago

Full Stack Software Engineer, AI Powered Google Agent

Los Angeles, CA $60,000.00-$100,000.00 9 hours ago

Dec 2025 New Graduate Engineer, Software (Starship)

Hawthorne, CA $120,000.00-$145,000.00 3 days ago

Software Developer (Full Stack) - W-2 ONLY

Los Angeles, CA $100,000.00-$150,000.00 2 years ago

Los Angeles, CA $150,000.00-$250,000.00 2 weeks ago

Santa Monica, CA $160,000.00-$170,000.00 2 months ago

Dec 2025 New Graduate Engineer, Software (Starship)

Hawthorne, CA $120,000.00-$145,000.00 1 week ago

Santa Monica, CA $114,900.00-$168,700.00 4 weeks ago

Backend Software Engineer, TikTok - Social User and Relation

Los Angeles, CA $119,000.00-$237,500.00 8 hours ago

Long Beach, CA $5,158.00-$12,730.00 11 hours ago

Long Beach, CA $124,000.00-$158,000.00 3 days ago

Long Beach, CA $100,000.00-$125,000.00 1 week ago

We’re unlocking community knowledge in a new way. Experts add insights directly into each article, started with the help of AI.