Lead Principal Cybersecurity Engineer – Starshield

SpaceX; Washington; On-site; USD 225,000 - 340,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

401(k) plan

Medical, vision, dental

Job summary

SpaceX is seeking a Principal Cybersecurity Engineer (Starshield) to lead a team defending the Starshield network. The role combines hands-on engineering with leadership, focusing on threat response, vulnerability discovery, and improving incident detection and response across cross-functional teams.

Ideal candidates have 7+ years in cybersecurity for active production systems, team leadership experience, and the ability to communicate complex concepts clearly.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, computer engineering, computer security, or a similar field; 7+ years of cybersecurity for active production systems; OR 10+ years of experience.
• Experience leading a team of direct reports.
• Experience implementing systems for adversary detection and incident response.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of cybersecurity engineers to respond to active threats.
• Implement Starshield’s cyber defense strategy and run red-team style exercises.
• Lead vulnerability discovery efforts and drive a culture of curiosity.
• Improve incident discovery and response in collaboration with internal teams.
• Collaborate across teams to deliver security features and detection tools.

Skills

Leadership experience

Cyber defense

Incident response

Vulnerability discovery

Clear communication

Ambiguity tolerance

Blue Team / Red Team

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/related field

Advanced technical degree

Tools

AI-assisted tooling

Bug hunting tools

Job description

SpaceX is seeking a Principal Cybersecurity Engineer (Starshield) to lead a team defending the Starshield network. The role combines hands-on engineering with leadership, focusing on threat response, vulnerability discovery, and improving incident detection and response across cross-functional teams.

Ideal candidates have 7+ years in cybersecurity for active production systems, team leadership experience, and the ability to communicate complex concepts clearly.