Launch IT Systems Engineer

SpaceX; California; On-site; USD 95,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Vision, Dental

401(k) retirement plan

Stock options

Discretionary bonuses

Paid parental leave

3 weeks paid vacation

Job summary

SpaceX is seeking a versatile IT Systems Administrator, Mission Systems, to support networking, compute, and application needs of our launch environment across multiple sites. The role emphasizes reliability, safety, and high‑cadence launch operations, requiring a technical generalist comfortable across IT disciplines.

You will design and deploy infrastructure, provide on-site IT support during campaigns, and maintain documentation.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• 3+ years of IT systems administration experience.
• Experience with Linux and Windows server administration.
• Experience designing, deploying, supporting and troubleshooting enterprise networks.

Responsibilities

• Design, deploy and augment IT infrastructure including networking, server, and desktop hardware that directly supports mission‑critical networks across the country.
• Provide direct IT support during launch and test campaigns.
• Perform periodic systems upgrades and maintenance in between critical operations, sometimes on weekends and evenings.
• Proactively monitor IT services and respond rapidly to incidents to ensure high availability and optimal systems performance.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to proactively identify and resolve potential technical issues with systems deployments.
• Author and maintain documentation for IT systems, including systems overview, design drawings and operational procedures.
• Leverage automation tools and contribute to broader IT systems engineering and infrastructure‑as‑code initiatives.
• Ensure that systems are configured and maintained in compliance with industry and cybersecurity standards (e.g. ITAR, ISO, NIST).

Skills

Networking

Linux/Windows

Scripting

Automation

AD / authentication

Virtualization

Security fundamentals

OT/RT environments

Education

High school diploma or equivalency

Tools

Terraform

Ansible

Puppet

Active Directory

VMware/Hyper-V

Linux

Windows Server

Job description

IT Systems Administrator, Mission Systems

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.

IT SYSTEMS ADMINISTRATOR, MISSION SYSTEMS

SpaceX is looking for a highly skilled and versatile Launch IT Systems Administratorto support the networking, compute, and application support needs of our launch environment. This role is critical to enabling safe, reliable, and high-cadence launch operations across multiple sites. The ideal candidate thrives in mission-critical settings, brings a strong sense of urgency balanced with operational excellence, and is comfortable operating as a technical generalist across multiple IT disciplines.RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Design, deploy and augment IT infrastructure including networking, server, and desktop hardware that directly supports mission-critical networks across the country.
• Provide direct IT support during launch and test campaigns.
• Perform periodic systems upgrades and maintenance in between critical operations, sometimes on weekends and evenings.
• Proactively monitor IT services and respond rapidly toincidents to ensure high availability and optimalsystems performance.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to proactively identify and resolve potential technical issues with systems deployments.
• Author and maintain documentation for IT systems, including systems overview, design drawings and operational procedures.
• Leverage automation tools and contribute to broader IT systems engineering and infrastructure-as-code initiatives.
• Ensure that systems are configured and maintained in compliance with industry and cybersecurity standards (e.g. ITAR, ISO, NIST).

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school diploma or equivalency certificate.
• 3+ years of experience in IT systems administration.
• Experience with both Linux and Windows server administration.
• Experience designing, deploying, supporting and troubleshooting enterprise networks.

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Working knowledge of network protocols (TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, SNMP, NTP, PTP etc.), firewalladministration and cybersecurity technologies.
• Proficiency in scripting (Bash/Powershell/Python) and automation frameworks (Terraform, Ansible, Puppet).
• Familiarity with Active Directory and multi-platform authentication/identity environments.
• Experience with virtualization platforms and tools.
• Understanding of Layer 1 configuration best practices and multiplexing technologies.
• Working knowledge ofWindows-based systems and services, including the ability toset up, configure, upgrade, manage, and troubleshoot said infrastructure.
• Ability to administer and troubleshoot Linux-based systems and services through command line.
• Experience supporting real-time systems, industrial control networks, or operational technology (OT) environments in aerospace, defense, energy, or similar high-reliability industries.
• Experience with configuration management, provisioning, infrastructure as code, CI/CD pipelines and other DevOps concepts/tools.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to communicate with internal/external customers, vendors, management etc. in both formal and informal situations.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to pass DoD background check for launch site access.
• Willingness to participate in an after-hours on-call rotation and work extended hours or weekends as necessary.
• Willingness to travel (up to 20%, including flying to other sites worldwide)and potential time at sea supporting marine systems.
• Ability to lift 30 lbs.
• Ability to work at heights.
• Ability to drive (active valid driver’s license).

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay Range:

IT Systems Administrator: $95,000.00 - $120,000.00/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.

• 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] .

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To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about ITAR here .

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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:

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