Sr. Software Engineer, Design Software (Starship)

Front Door Defense; Hawthorne (CA); On-site; USD 160,000 - 225,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage

401(k) retirement plan

Paid parental leave

Long-term incentives

3 weeks of paid vacation

Paid sick leave

Various discounts and perks

Job summary

A leading aerospace manufacturer and space transport services company is seeking a Sr. Software Engineer for its Design Software team. This role involves building and maintaining critical software for design data, 3D rendering, and simulations related to the Starship launch platform. Candidates should have experience with programming languages such as C# and Java, and be prepared to own software development projects in a dynamic and collaborative environment. The position offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of professional experience in software development; or 7+ years experience instead of a degree.

Responsibilities

• Develop highly reliable software solutions used across the company.
• Create applications that improve operations.
• Build prototypes to validate design concepts.
• Own all aspects of software engineering.
• Collaborate on architecture, design, and code reviews.
• Integrate electronic design software.

Skills

C#.NET

Java

Python

Full stack applications

Docker

Kubernetes

Angular

React

PostgreSQL

SQL Server

Apache Kafka

RabbitMQ

ActiveMQ

Education

Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, math, or a science discipline

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.

SR. SOFTWARE ENGINEER, DESIGN SOFTWARE (STARSHIP)

Starship is SpaceX's next generation launch platform that will take humans to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. It is designed to be cost-effective, mass manufacturable, and rapidly reusable. As a Sr. Software Engineer on the Design Software team, you will be responsible for building and maintaining software used by our engineers to aid in the creation, analysis, and distribution of design data. This includes mesh processing, 3D graphics rendering, flight simulations, and wearables (iPad/iPhone/etc.) applications. This is a high‑autonomy role that will require building close relationships with engineering and technical staff to understand issues, and coming up with software solutions interfacing with external APIs or hardware. We are looking for people who like to own a problem from start to finish in a high‑responsibility and low‑micromanagement environment!

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop highly reliable software solutions that are used across SpaceX
• Create new applications that improve how SpaceX operates
• Build prototypes to prove out key design concepts and quantify technical constraints
• Own all aspects of software engineering and product development
• Deep dive into your users' problems to find and create efficient solutions
• Bring your voice to the table in team collaborations on architecture, design, and code reviews
• Integrate electronics design software to manufacturing equipment

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, math, or a science discipline and 5+ years of professional experience in software development; or 7+ years of professional experience in software development in lieu of a degree

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• 3+ years programming experience in C#.NET, Java, python, or similar language
• 3+ years of rigorous experience building full stack applications
• Production experience with Docker and Kubernetes
• Front‑end experience in Angular, React, or similar JavaScript framework
• Database experience with PostgreSQL, SQL Server, or similar database technologies
• Experience working with in-stream data processing using Apache Kafka, RabbitMQ, ActiveMQ, or similar technologies
• Deep understanding of testing, continuous integration, build, deployment & monitoring
• Expertise in profiling and improving application performance

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• You may be asked to work extended hours/weekends dependent on launch cadence

COMPETITION AND BENEFITS

Pay range:
Software Engineering/Senior: $160,000.00 - $225,000.00/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 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. 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 affirmative action plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to [e-mail].