Sr. AI Security Software Engineer (Starshield)

Spacex; Hawthorne (CA); On-site; USD 168,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage

401(k) retirement plan

Paid parental leave

Paid vacation (3 weeks)

Paid sick leave

Job summary

Latent AI seeks a Sr. Security Software Engineer to automate security-related processes for the Starshield project. This entails leveraging AI to enhance security systems while focusing on critical agent design and implementation. Candidates should have a strong foundation in security software development along with experience in working with LLMs and distributed systems.

The position requires a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field or equivalent experience, a clear understanding of security protocols, and the ability to maintain team collaboration. A competitive compensation range of $168,000 to $230,000 is offered.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or 7+ years of experience in security software development.
• Experience designing and implementing security solutions.
• Familiarity with LLMs and AI topics.

Responsibilities

• Design and build automated security agents for Starshield.
• Leverage AI to find and fix security issues.
• Provide guidance on AI integrations into Starshield systems.

Skills

Software engineering

Agent engineering and security

LLM attack surfaces

Network and operating system security

Incident response and adversary detection

Education

Bachelor’s degree in computer science or another STEM discipline

Tools

Python

C++

Golang

Job description

Sr. Security Software Engineer, Applied Computing (Starshield)

Starshield leverages SpaceX’s Starlink technology and launch capability to support national security efforts. While Starlink is designed for consumer and commercial use, Starshield is designed for government use, with an initial focus on earth observation, communications, and hosted payloads. The Starshield team is building highly reliable in-space mesh networks, designing secure systems to guarantee access to space, designing next‑gen communication and sensing software, and more.

As a Sr. Security Software Engineer, you will leverage AI to automate security‑related efforts and ensure safe AI integration into new and existing systems.

Ideal Skills

• Software engineering
• Agent engineering and security
• LLM attack surfaces
• Network and operating system security
• Incident response and adversary detection

Being flexible, communicating clearly, and establishing and maintaining productive working relationships with other engineering teams are paramount to success.

Responsibilities

• Design and build security‑critical agents for Starshield that automate network and systems defense
• Leverage AI to discover and fix security issues in Starshield infrastructure and systems
• Provide guidance and perform testing of AI integrations into new and existing Starshield systems
• Identify new areas of the program where meaningful security improvements can be gained via automation and AI
• Maintain existing production systems and improve security posture via both direct implementation and recommendations to other teams

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science or another STEM discipline AND 5+ years of professional experience in security software development; OR 7+ 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
• Experience designing and implementing solutions with LLMs, LLM‑based agents, or other AI topics

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Demonstrated ability to deal with ambiguity, learn quickly, problem‑solve, and take ownership of the end result
• Understanding of core security engineering topics: cryptography, authentication, network security, operating system security
• Experience designing, prompting, and securing agents that can perform long‑running autonomous tasks
• Experience red‑teaming/penetration‑testing LLMs, including prompt injection, jailbreaking, and data exfiltration
• Experience deploying and managing LLMs, including infrastructure and maintenance to ensure reliable, scalable operation
• Experience contributing security improvements to complex 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
• 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: Security Software Engineer/Senior: $168,000.00 - $230,000.00 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.

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 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.

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.