Embedded Security Engineer (Starlink)

Spacex; Redmond (WA); Hybrid; USD 130,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401(k) plan

Stock options

Paid parental leave

Paid time off

Shuttle service to Redmond

Job summary

Space Exploration Technologies Corp (SpaceX) is seeking a security-focused software engineer to help harden Starlink and related systems across space and ground infrastructure. You will design security features for the router, dish, gateways, and satellites, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to reduce risk and enhance resilience.

This role requires strong cryptography, OS security, secure boot expertise, and hands-on coding in Python, C++, or Golang, with the ability to work on large

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)
• Experience designing and implementing security solutions for operating systems, distributed systems, or other enterprise/large-scale infrastructure

Responsibilities

• Design and build security infrastructure for Starlink, including cryptographic services and other security-critical services
• Develop security features for Starlink systems, including our router, dish, gateways, and satellites
• Design security into factory processes and provide network services in support of this
• Maintain existing production systems and improve security posture via both direct implementation and recommendations to other teams
• Build prototypes and help identify, design, and test security improvements
• Further our mission of providing secure and reliable Internet to underserved communities

Skills

Applied cryptography

Network security

Operating system security

Secure/Authenticated boot

Incident response

Vulnerability research

Software Engineering

Python

C++

Golang

Education

Bachelor's degree in computer science or STEM

Tools

TPMs

HSMs

Job description

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 ofenabling human life on Mars.

At SpaceX we’re leveraging our experience in building rockets and spacecraft to deploy Starlink, the world’s most advanced broadband internet system. Starlink is the world’s largest satellite constellation and serves millions of users worldwide. We design, build, and operate all parts of the system – thousands of satellites and all of the space-ground infrastructure necessary for a constellation of that size. As we scale the constellation to hundreds of thousands of satellites, and become a foundation of global connectivity both on earth (and in space), we are looking for excellent engineers to help us build secure, defensible systems from the ground up.

In this role, you will influence the security of software across our space and terrestrial systems. Ideally, you have notable skills in one or more of the following:

• Applied cryptography
• Network security
• Operating system security
• Secure/Authenticated boot
• Incident response and adversary detection
• Vulnerability research
• Software Engineering

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Design and build security infrastructure for Starlink, including cryptographic services and other security-critical services
• Develop security features for Starlink systems, including our router, dish, gateways, and satellites
• Design security into factory processes and provide network services in support of this
• Maintain existing production systems and improve security posture via both direct implementation and recommendations to other teams
• Build prototypes and help identify, design, and test security improvements
• Further our mission of providing secure and reliable Internet to underserved communities

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)
• Experience designing and implementing security solutions for operating systems, distributed systems, or other enterprise/large-scale infrastructure

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Experience contributing security improvements to complex systems
• Experience working with special purpose security hardware such as Trusted Platform Modules (TPMs) and Hardware Security Modules (HSMs)
• Fundamental understanding of network protocols; including the TCP/IP stack as well as UDP based protocols
• Experienced in navigating large, complex, interactive systems
• 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
• Demonstrated ability to deal with ambiguity and to learn new technologies quickly
• Advanced degree in a technical or engineering discipline

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay Range:

• Level 1: $130,000.00 - $165,000.00
• Level 2: $150,000.00 - $200,000.00

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 in Washington State accrue paid sick time in compliance with state and federal law. Company shuttles are offered to employees for roundtrip travel from select Seattle locations to the SpaceX Redmond office Monday to Friday.

• 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 Affi… [e-mail].

Voluntary Self-Identification

Form CC-305 Page 1 of 1 OMB Control Number 1250-0005 Expires 07/31/2029

Why are you being asked to complete this form?

We are a federal contractor or subcontractor. The law requires us to provide equal employment opportunity to qualified people with disabilities. We have a goal of having at least 7% of our workers as people with disabilities. The law says we must measure our progress towards this goal. To do this, we must ask applicants and employees if they have a disability or have ever had one. People can become disabled, so we need to ask this question at least every five years.

Completing this form is voluntary, and we hope that you will choose to do so. Your answer is confidential. No one who makes hiring decisions will see it. Your decision to complete the form and your answer will not harm you in any way. If you want to learn more about the law or this form, visit the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) website at www.dol.gov/ofccp .

How do you know if you have a disability?

A disability is a condition that substantially limits one or more of your “major life activities.” If you have or have ever had such a condition, you are a person with a disability. Disabilities include, but are not limited to:

• Alcohol or other substance use disorder (not currently using drugs illegally)
• Autoimmune disorder, for example, lupus, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, HIV/AIDS
• Blind or low vision
• Cancer (past or present)
• Cardiovascular or heart disease
• Celiac disease
• Cerebral palsy
• Deaf or serious difficulty hearing
• Diabetes
• Disfigurement, for example, disfigurement caused by burns, wounds, accidents, or congenital disorders
• Epilepsy or other seizure disorder
• Gastrointestinal disorders, for example, Crohn's Disease, irritable bowel syndrome
• Intellectual or developmental disability
• Mental health conditions, for example, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD
• Missing limbs or partially missing limbs
• Mobility impairment, benefiting from the use of a wheelchair, scooter, walker, leg brace(s) and/or other supports
• Nervous system condition, for example, migraine headaches, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis (MS)
• Neurodivergence, for example, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, dyspraxia, other learning disabilities
• Partial or complete paralysis (any cause)
• Pulmonary or respiratory conditions, for example, tuberculosis, asthma, emphysema
• Short stature (dwarfism)
• Traumatic brain injury

Disability Status Select...

PUBLIC BURDEN STATEMENT: According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control number. This survey should take about 5 minutes to complete.