IT Security Engineer - Top Secret Clearance

SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP; Hawthorne, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 130,000 - 195,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

401(k) retirement plan

Comprehensive medical, dental, vision

Job summary

SpaceX is seeking an IT Security Engineer to safeguard classified networks from evolving threats. Based in Hawthorne, you will implement authentication controls, SIEM monitoring, and vulnerability management while standing up secure, scalable security services for engineering teams.

A strong focus on automation and least privilege will drive daily operations. Ideal candidates have 3+ years in enterprise IT security or a relevant degree, with hands-on experience in identity, EDR/AV, SIEM, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or 4+ years in lieu of degree in IT security.
• 3+ years securing traditional IT environments with MFA and identity controls.
• Experience with two or more security tooling categories (SIEM, EDR, vuln mgmt).

Responsibilities

• Design, deploy, and operate security controls for classified networks.
• Manage authentication, identity services, and privileged access.
• Lead incident response and detection for classified IT environments.
• Improve hardening of Windows/Linux servers and internal apps.
• Develop automation scripts for security operations (Python/PowerShell/Bash).
• Collaborate with owners to ensure logging, patching, and least privilege.

Skills

Identity/MFA

Endpoint security

SIEM

Vulnerability management

EDR/AV

Certificate-based authentication

Privilege access management

Scripting (Python/PowerShell/Bash)

Education

Bachelor's degree in computer science/cybersecurity or STEM

Tools

On-prem SIEM

EDR/AV

Vulnerability management platform

Job description

IT Security Engineer - Top Secret Clearance

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.

SpaceX is looking for an IT Security Engineer with deep knowledge and broad experience across enterprise security technologies, in addition to broader experience with identity, endpoint protection, SIEM, and vulnerability management. This employee will be a member of the Information Technology team and will support SpaceX personnel and systems on classified networks. The ideal candidate will be flexible and flourish in a fast-paced and challenging environment. They should be a self-starter, self-motivator, and possess the ingenuity to excel at this position.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Work closely with other SpaceX IT administrators and engineers to gather requirements, research, evaluate, design, plan, deploy, and support security solutions and related technologies in a world-class environment that meets the needs of the demanding SpaceX engineering teams. Build highly resilient, high-performance, scalable, and flexible systems.
• Take lessons learned and technology standards from the SpaceX Enterprise and apply them in smaller classified environments.
• Exercise a high degree of responsibility for the processes, systems, and tools you create and manage; all supporting the goal of making humanity an interplanetary species.
• Design, deploy, and operate security controls for classified corporate-style IT networks, including authentication and identity services (hardware tokens, certificate-based authentication, privileged access), on-premises SIEM for logging and detection, endpoint/host protection, and vulnerability management.
• Harden and secure traditional IT services used by engineering staff (email, file servers/shares, directory services, collaboration tools, and internal applications); review and improve permissions, group membership, and access models to reduce standing privilege.
• Partner with systems, network, and application owners to securely design, deploy, and operate applications (authentication/authorization, logging, patching, least privilege).
• Lead or support detection, triage, and incident response for the classified IT environment.
• Make recommendations, justify, and implement improvements using an accepted change control methodology.
• Work within a diverse group to design and deliver creative solutions and resolve problems in a timely and proactive manner by interacting with internal business units.
• Define, document, and follow standards and best practices for systems design, testing, and implementation.
• Drive scripting and automation to develop solutions to common problems and repeatable security tasks (baselines, evidence collection, health checks).

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, cybersecurity, or another STEM discipline; OR 4+ years of professional experience in enterprise IT security engineering in lieu of a degree.
• 3+ years of hands-on experience securing traditional IT environments (identity/MFA, endpoint security, SIEM, vulnerability scanning, email or file services).
• Experience administering or operating at least two of the following: on-premises SIEM, enterprise EDR/AV, enterprise vulnerability management platform.

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Experience securing IT for engineering or corporate users in classified or restricted networks.
• Strong practical experience with hardware-token / FIDO2 / smart-card MFA and directory-integrated identity.
• SIEM administration or detection engineering experience (on-premises).
• Enterprise EDR/AV policy and operations experience.
• Enterprise vulnerability management and remediation workflows.
• Hardening Windows and Linux servers; securing file shares, email gateways, and internal applications.
• Permissions/access reviews, least privilege, and privilege-escalation reduction.
• SOC or blue-team incident response experience on enterprise IT estates.
• Scripting/automation (Python, PowerShell, Bash, Ansible) for security operations.
• Familiarity with NIST 800-53 control families as implemented by IT security engineering.
• Excellent communication skills with IT systems engineers and engineering end users.
• Ability to work independently in a closed environment and deliver durable security operations.

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.