Principal Cybersecurity Engineer (Starshield)

SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 225,000 - 340,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Job summary

SpaceX seeks a Principal Cybersecurity Engineer to lead a team defending the Starshield network. The role combines hands-on security with leadership across defense strategies, threat detection, and incident response to protect critical government communications.

The role requires broad experience in software and security, with a Top Secret/SCI-type clearance preferred. Compensation ranges substantially with level and performance, including stock and bonuses, and requires willingness to work

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in CS/CE/security or a related field with 7+ years of cybersecurity experience in active production systems; OR 10+ years of experience.
• Experience leading a team of direct reports.
• Experience in implementing systems for adversary detection and incident response.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of cybersecurity engineers responsible for immediate threat response.
• Implement Starshield cyber defense strategy and conduct red-team style exercises to identify vulnerabilities.
• Lead vulnerability discovery efforts and run internal bug hunts using AI and other tools.
• Improve incident discovery and response by collaborating with internal systems teams and detection tools.
• Collaborate with engineers implementing security features and the team developing internal incident discovery tools.

Skills

Team leadership

Cybersecurity expertise

Incident response

Education

Bachelor’s degree in CS/CE/security

Tools

Threat detection tools

Vulnerability discovery tools

Job description

Principal Cybersecurity Engineer (Starshield)

Washington, DC

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.

At SpaceX we’re leveraging our experience in building rockets and spacecraft to deploy the Starshield constellation. Starshield is the world’s largest US government satellite constellation and is tasked with providing immediate access to critical intelligence and national security data for the US government anywhere on the globe. We design, build, test, and operate all parts of the system – n-space sensors, on-the-ground receivers, data processing, and the mesh network that provides lightning-fast connectivity to users around the world.We’ve only begun to scratch the surface of Starshield's global impact and are looking for best-in-class engineers to help us further our ambitious goals.

We are looking for a principal engineer to grow and lead a team of engineers who are developing and continually testing the cyber defenses of the Starshield network. This job will be hands-on and require breadth of experience in both software and security. A great candidate for this role appreciates a challenge, thrives on curiosity, and wants to make a difference in the world.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead a team of cybersecurity engineers. This team's priority is to be prepared for immediate response to any active threat against our systems.
• Implement Starshield's cyber defense strategy. Continually assess the landscape of cyber threats and develop specific countermeasures for the Starshield systems. Continually run "red-team" style exercises to both discover vulnerabilities as well as to practice the tactics the team will deploy in the event of attacks.
• Lead vulnerability discovery efforts across Starshield. Run internal bug hunts to search for undiscovered vulnerabilities. Develop a team culture of continual curiosity and open-ended exploration. Utilize the latest tools, including AI, to accelerate both discovery and fixing of bugs in the system.
• Drive improvements into our incident discovery and response. This team will collaborate closely with the team building the internal systems we use to detect security events, and help drive improvement in our ability to discover active attempts at network intrusions.
• Work across teams to get results. This team will collaborate closely with the engineers implementing security features into our systems, as well as the team developing our internal incident discovery tools.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

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

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Expertise in computer networks and large-scale distributed compute platforms.
• Experience leading a team of 3-5 engineers on a technical project in cybersecurity.
• Expertise in vulnerability discovery and triage.
• Experience in continuity of operations planning.
• Experience with performing Blue Team or Red Team assessments.
• Ability to communicate technical concepts clearly to nontechnical audiences.
• Ability to deal with ambiguity and to learn new technologies quickly.
• Advanced degree in a technical or engineering discipline.
• Active Top Secret, Top Secret SCI, or DOE Level Q clearance.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed.
• This position requires successfully obtaining and maintaining a Top Secret Security Clearance as a condition of employment. While the clearance may not be immediately necessary upon hire, we encourage you to initiate the application process promptly upon accepting this offer. Your ability to secure the necessary clearance is essential for fulfilling key responsibilities of the role. Should you be unable to obtain it, SpaceX reserves the right to modify or terminate your employment to align with operational needs.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay Range:

Level 3: $225,000.00 - $340,000.00

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. §