Software Engineer, Simulations (Vehicle Engineering)

SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP; Hawthorne, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 125,000 - 195,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Medical, vision, dental coverage

401(k) retirement plan

Paid parental leave

Paid vacation & holidays

Job summary

SpaceX in Hawthorne, CA, is seeking a Software Engineer on the Simulations team to design, develop, and test in-house simulation software supporting flight systems. You will model fluids, electronics, and multibody dynamics to build high-fidelity simulations used across SpaceX programs like Falcon and Starship.

You will collaborate with engineering groups to implement the core simulation infrastructure, optimize performance, and ensure software quality through rigorous testing and best

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, math, or STEM
• Or 2+ years of professional software development experience in lieu of a degree
• 1+ years development experience in C++

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain the high-fidelity real-time simulation software used for all vehicles
• Develop prototypes to prove out key design concepts and quantify technical constraints
• Maintain the highest standards of excellence, never settle for the status quo
• Improve reliability and performance of simulation software
• Work with simulation software users to develop new features and improve user experiences

Skills

C++ programming

Debugging

Unit testing

Problem solving

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/Engineering or STEM

2+ years software development experience in lieu of degree

Tools

ROS2

Gazebo

Job description

Software Engineer, Simulations (Vehicle Engineering)

Hawthorne, CA

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.

As a Software Engineer on the Simulations team, you will design, develop, and test our in-house simulation software supporting all SpaceX flight systems. You will program the core simulation infrastructure and collaborate on the building of models of fluids, electronics, and multi-body physics systems. This is a high impact role where you will work across the engineering groups to build high fidelity simulations used to develop cutting-edge software and hardware. Our simulation software is critical to current and future mission successes including Falcon, Falcon Heavy, Dragon, Starlink, and Starship. SpaceX is looking for smart, motivated software engineers who enjoy taking on complex challenges, work well in dynamic environments and care about software best practices.

Help us build world class software that is critical to SpaceX mission to Mars.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop and maintain the high-fidelity real-time simulation software used for all vehicles
• Develop prototypes to prove out key design concepts and quantify technical constraints
• Maintain the highest standards of excellence, never settle for the status quo
• Improve reliability and performance of simulation software
• Work with simulation software users to develop new features and improve user experiences

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, math, or STEM discipline; OR 2+ years of professional experience in software development in lieu of a degree
• 1+ years development experience in C++

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Strong software design and development skills in C++
• Understanding of distributed computing systems, networking protocols, memory management, and CPU scheduling
• Thorough knowledge of classical physics and math (algebra, calculus, Euclidean geometry)
• Strong skills in debugging, performance optimization and unit testing
• Creative approach to problem solving
• Experience with open source C++ simulators such as ROS2 and Gazebo
• Ability to work effectively in a dynamic environment with changing needs and requirements
• Ability to work independently and in a team, take initiative, and communicate effectively

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Willing to work extended hours and weekends when needed

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay Range:

Level 1: $125,000.00 - $160,000.00

Level 2: $145,000.00 - $195,000.00

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.

• 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 Affiant Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to [e-mail] .

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey. Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiring process or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in a confidential file.

As set forth in SpaceX’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy, we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection. As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measure the effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categories is as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.