Embedded Software Engineer, Platform (Starshield)

Spacex; Hawthorne (CA); On-site; USD 125,000 - 195,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

401(k) plan

Health, vision, dental insurance

Paid time off

Job summary

SpaceX in Hawthorne, CA is seeking an Embedded Software Engineer for the Starshield Platform to develop and secure spacecraft and ground-system software across the stack, from bootloaders to kernel drivers. You will own software through development, testing, and on-orbit support, contributing to security and reliability of critical systems.

The role requires system-level C/C++/Rust skills, Linux kernel experience, and the ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret clearance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or 2+ years of professional software development in lieu of a degree.
• Experience in C, C++, or Rust at system level.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and evolve in-house branches of Linux-based software (Linux kernel, Buildroot, U-Boot).
• Develop platform security, including secure boot and runtime integrity.
• Own device drivers and board-level firmware for in-house and vendor components.
• Define interfaces between platform layer and userspace/mission software.
• Collaborate with Electrical, FPGA, and application teams to move boards to orbit.

Skills

C/C++/Rust

Secure boot

Linux kernel

System-level dev

Education

Bachelor's degree or 2+ years experience

Tools

Linux kernel

Buildroot

U-Boot

ARM

FPGA SoC

Job description

Embedded Software Engineer, Platform (Starshield)

Hawthorne, CA

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.

EMBEDDED SOFTWARE ENGINEER, PLATFORM SOFTWARE (STARSHIELD)

National security customers cannot wait on slow programs or fragile software. Starshield’s job is timely, reliable information delivery for the intelligence community and defense services by building robust embedded systems, flying them quickly, and iterating.

The Starshield Software team builds the software that boots, runs, and secures spacecraft and ground systems. As an Embedded Software Engineer on Starshield Platform, you will contribute across the stack that userspace applications depend on: early-stage bootloaders, Linux kernel and drivers, and any other firmware needed to reliably control CPU and FPGA hardware on Starshield vehicle nodes.

You will own that software through its full lifecycle: development, test, and on-orbit support.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Maintain and update in-house branches of open-source software such as Linux, Buildroot, and U-Boot
• Design and implement platform security: secure boot, runtime integrity, and the features that keep this layer trustworthy on orbit
• Support Platform-specific test infrastructure
• Own device drivers and board-level firmware for in-house and vendor components
• Define and maintain interfaces between the platform layer and userspace / mission software
• Work with Electrical, FPGA, and application software teams to take boards from prototype through on-orbit operations

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, math, or scientific discipline; OR 2+years of professional experience insoftware development in lieu of a degree
• System-level development experience in C, C++, or Rust

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Experience developing in the Linux kernel
• Experience working with computer architecture and modern secure boot flows
• Experience with ARM and/or FPGA SoCembedded systems
• Experience with testing, continuous integration, build, deployment, and continuous monitoring
• Ability to work effectively in a dynamic environment with changing needs and requirements
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret or Top Secret SCI clearance

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

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

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay Range:
Level 1: $125,000.00 - $160,000.00
Level 2: $145,000.00 - $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.

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey.Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiringprocess or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in aconfidential file.

As set forth in SpaceX’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection.As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measurethe effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categoriesis as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.