Mission Integration Engineer, AI (Starshield) - Top Secret Clearance

SpaceX; Hawthorne (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage

401(k) retirement plan

Paid parental leave

3 weeks of paid vacation

10 or more paid holidays per year

Job summary

SpaceX in California is searching for a Mission Integration Engineer who will develop AI solutions for national security efforts with Starshield. This career offers the chance to drive core application enhancements and perform secure deployments.

Your role will involve collaborating cross-functionally, tackling pain points, and developing user-centric prototypes amidst a highly motivated team. Required qualifications include a bachelor's degree in a relevant field and experience with programming languages like Python.

The position comes with a competitive salary range of $100,000 to $135,000 annually, depending on level and experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field.
• Experience with Javascript libraries such as React or Angular.
• Professional experience developing Python applications.

Responsibilities

• Develop full-stack solutions for scalable AI content interactions.
• Create prototypes to validate design concepts.
• Build immersive earth observation experiences for users.

Skills

Javascript libraries (React, Angular, Redux)

Python programming

Developing web services

Linux server environments

Kubernetes

Education

Bachelor's degree in computer science, data science, physics, mathematics, or engineering

Tools

SSH

Container orchestration frameworks

Vector databases

Job description

MISSION INTEGRATION ENGINEER, AI (STARSHIELD) – TOP SECRET CLEARANCE

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.

Special Programs leverages technology and launch capability to support national security efforts. Starshield, within Special Programs, is designed for government use, with an initial focus on earth observation, communications, and hosted payloads.

The data applications team is building highly reliable mission‑critical AI solutions supporting Starshield use‑cases. You will drive the development and enhancement of core applications while collaborating cross‑functionally to deliver end‑to‑end products. Aerospace experience is not required to be successful here – we want our engineers to bring fresh ideas from all areas. We look for engineers who love solving problems and seek to make an impact on an inspiring mission. As we expand this team, we're looking for versatile, motivated, and collaborative engineers.

Our team is responsible for identifying pain points, scoping product specifications, and designing and building LLM‑powered software for government or enterprise use cases. This role will enhance model performance through system prompt tuning or fine‑tuning, with an eye toward secure and scalable deployment.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop full‑stack solutions to manage scalable AI content interaction systems with user applications
• Develop prototypes to prove key design concepts and quantify technical constraints
• Apply creativity to build an immersive earth observation experience for users whether they are in offices or in the field
• See your software through from start‑to‑finish: from figuring out the core needs to prototyping, developing, and testing, to production rollout and beyond

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, data science, physics, mathematics, or engineering discipline
• Experience with Javascript libraries such as React, Angular, and/or Redux
• Professional experience developing Python applications

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Professional experience developing web services and distributed applications across cloud and on‑premise networks
• Professional experience developing within Linux server environments, SSH, scripting, and configuration
• Experience with Kubernetes or similar container orchestration frameworks
• Experience with Model Context Protocol or large model content interaction systems
• Experience with developing RAG pipelines, tool callers, and AI orchestration systems
• Experience with Vector databases or implementing highly performant databases
• Experience with image data processing and machine learning
• Experience with graphics‑intensive web application development

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed
• Active Top Secret, Top Secret SCI, or DOE Level Q clearance
• An active clearance may provide the opportunity for you to work on sensitive SpaceX missions; if so, you will be subject to pre‑employment drug and random drug and alcohol testing

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Pay Range:
Mission Integration Engineer/Level I: $100,000.00 - $115,000.00 per year.
Mission Integration Engineer/Level II: $110,000.00 - $135,000.00 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. Those with an active clearance will receive a 10% differential, up to an additional $20,000 annually, once officially briefed into a classified program.

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 & long‑term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation & 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.

ITAR REQUIREMENTS

• 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.

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.