Principal Security Software Engineer (Starlink)

SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP; Austin, Northern (TX, KY); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceX is seeking a Principal Security Software Engineer for Starlink in Austin, TX. You will influence software security across Starlink products, shipping reliable software and shaping security for OS, distributed systems, and large-scale infrastructure.

You will design cryptographic services and security features for Starlink components—router, dish, gateways, satellites—and help secure factory processes with strong cross-team collaboration.

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in computer science or STEM with 8+ years in security software.
• Experience in one or more languages (Python, C++, Go).
• Experience designing security for OS, distributed systems, or large-scale infra.

Responsibilities

• Design and build security infrastructure for Starlink, including cryptographic services and other security-critical services.
• Develop security features for Starlink systems, including router, dish, gateways, and satellites.
• Design security into factory processes and provide network services in support of this.
• Maintain existing production systems and improve security posture via implementation and guidance.
• Build prototypes and help identify, design, and test security improvements.
• Advance the mission of providing secure and reliable Internet to underserved communities.

Skills

Software engineering

Applied cryptography

Network security

OS security

Secure boot

Incident response

Vulnerability research

Education

B.S. in CS or STEM

10+ years security software experience (in lieu of degree)

Job description

Principal Security Software Engineer (Starlink)

Austin, TX

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.

At SpaceX we’re leveraging our experience in building rockets and spacecraft to deploy Starlink, the world’s most advanced broadband internet system. Starlink is the world’s largest satellite constellation and is providing fast, reliable internet to millions of users worldwide. We design, build, test, and operate all parts of the system – thousands of satellites, consumer receivers that allow users to connect within minutes of unboxing, and the software that brings it all together. We’ve only begun to scratch the surface of Starlink’s potential global impact and are looking for best-in-class engineers to help maximize Starlink’s utility for communities and businesses around the globe.

As a Security Software Engineer you will influence the security of software across our product lines. We are looking for people with a track record of shipping reliable software and who have a broad understanding of the security design of today’s Internet, including the cryptographic primitives involved. You see the big picture, prioritize accordingly, and are comfortable with working at different levels of abstraction. Ideally, you have notable skills in one or more of the following:

• Software engineering
• Applied cryptography
• Network security
• Operating system security
• Secure/Authenticated boot
• Incident response and adversary detection
• Vulnerability research

Being flexible, communicating clearly, and establishing and maintaining productive working relationships with other engineering teams are paramount to success. If you are passionate about building quality products, love the challenges of outsmarting adversaries, and want to make an impact on an inter-planetary scale, then you will fit right in.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Design and build security infrastructure for Starlink, including cryptographic services and other security-critical services
• Develop security features for Starlink systems, including our router, dish, gateways, and satellites
• Design security into factory processes and provide network services in support of this
• Maintain existing production systems and improve security posture via both direct implementation and recommendations to other teams
• Build prototypes and help identify, design, and test security improvements
• Further our mission of providing secure and reliable Internet to underserved communities

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in computer science or another STEM discipline and 8+ years of professional experience in security software development; OR 10+ years of professional experience in security software development in lieu of a degree
• Experience with one or more software development languages (i.e. Python, C++, Golang)
• Experience designing and implementing security solutions for operating systems, distributed systems, or other enterprise/large-scale infrastructure

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Experience contributing security improvements to complex systems
• Experience working with special purpose security hardware such as Trusted Platform Modules (TPMs) and Hardware Security Modules (HSMs)
• Fundamental understanding of network protocols; including the TCP/IP stack as well as UDP based protocols
• Experienced in navigating large, complex, interactive systems
• Flexibility, communicating clearly, and establishing and maintaining productive working relationships with other engineering teams
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
• Ability to work both independently and in a team
• Demonstrated ability to deal with ambiguity and to learn new technologies quickly
• Advanced degree in a technical or engineering discipline

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

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

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