New Graduate Engineer, Software (Starship)

Spacex; Starbase (TX); On-site; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceX is recruiting a new graduate software engineer to contribute to Starship software. You will design, develop, and test software spanning application to firmware, working with hardware and simulation teams to enable rapid mission execution.

Ideal candidates are strong in C++/Rust, with real-time embedded or distributed computing experience, and a proven track record of excellence in demanding academic settings.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, software engineering, computer engineering, electrical engineering or other engineering discipline.
• Graduating with a bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD in 2027.
• Proven skills with C++, Rust or other systems programming languages.
• Experience with real-time embedded or distributed computing systems.
• Strong focus on designing, architecting, and implementing high-quality software.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment with high accountability.
• Record of success in rigorous academic or competitive settings.
• Demonstrated rapid growth and multi-tasking across roles.

Responsibilities

• Develop high-performance autonomous software systems and simulations.
• Own all software development aspects from design through testing and integration.
• Collaborate with launch and vehicle software teams across the stack.
• Work on flight software for Starship and related systems.
• Support mission goals by pushing reliable software to orbit.

Skills

C++

Rust

Real-time embedded systems

Distributed computing

Communication

Problem solving

Adaptable

Academic excellence

Education

Bachelor’s degree in CS/EE/Engineering

Graduating in 2027 (BS/MS/PhD)

Job description

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.

NEW GRADUATE ENGINEER, SOFTWARE (STARSHIP)

Our SpaceX team is working on the toughest and most audacious projects on our planet: making humanity multiplanetary. SpaceX's Starship spacecraft and Super Heavy rocket (collectively referred to as Starship) represent a fully reusable transportation system designed to carry both crew and cargo to Earth orbit, the Moon, Mars and beyond. Starship will be the world's most powerful launch vehicle ever developed, with the ability to carry in excess of 100 metric tons to Earth orbit.

As a Software Engineer on the Starship Software team, you will design, develop, and test software that is used to both control and simulate SpaceX flight systems. You will engage with other SpaceX software and hardware engineers to implement and debug software at all layers of our stack – application, operating system, networking, firmware, simulation – to achieve the mission. Our development timelines are quick and you will need to rigorously explore solutions for previously unsolved or unknown problems. Every day, we push the limits of what is possible through innovation, determination, and teamwork to drive the mission to success.

Aerospace experience is not required to be successful here - rather we look for smart, motivated, collaborative engineers who love solving problems and want to make an impact on a super inspiring mission.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Expect a dynamic role doing what you’re best at. Our team is building high-performance flight hardware. Whatever your skill set, you’ll be aligned to the part of the program you’re most effectively able to contribute to.
• Develop highly reliable autonomous software systems and the simulations required to validate them.
• Own all aspects of software development, including design, testing, and integration to the mission.
• Work with counterpart engineering teams to develop and maintain launch and vehicle software.
• Get a front row seat to witness an impossible idea manifest in real life. The next few years will be incredibly dynamic as we transition from the challenge of building hardware to actually flying reusable rockets to orbit and deploying complex satellites to orbit.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, computer engineering, electrical engineering or other engineering discipline.
• Graduating with a bachelor's degree, master's degree, or PhD in 2027.

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Proven skills and knowledge of C++, Rust, or other systems programming language.
• Experience building or working with real-time embedded systems or distributed computing systems.
• Strong focus and interest in designing, architecting, and implementing excellent, bug-free software.
• Strong critical thinking and first-principles problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Able to work effectively in a dynamic environment while assuming high levels of responsibility and demonstrating accountability for software outcomes.
• Experience working at a nimble engineering organization or in a highly technical position that required a scrappy, entrepreneurial manner to accomplish tasks with tight time or budget constraints.
• Excelled in ultra-competitive environments. You’ve nailed a podium finish in engineering, math, or science competitions, achieved scores in the top percentile of scholastic or standardized tests, or demonstrated other incredible feats of intellectual achievement.
• Succeeded in multiple endeavors at once. Maybe you worked through college, were a student athlete, or demonstrated strong work or academic performance in multiple fields.
• Demonstrated rapid growth. You’ve held successive positions of increasing responsibility within an organization, were able to get yourself up to speed at a heroic pace, and accomplished something meaningfully difficult early in your career.
• Success in academics at a rigorous and highly regarded university: minimum GPA 3.5/4.0 or higher, standardized test scores minimum 95th percentile, merit-based scholarship recipient.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

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

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. 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 Aff…? [e-mail].