Application Software Engineer

SpaceX is actively developing technologies to enable human life on Mars. The application software team is the central nervous system of SpaceX – we create mission-critical applications that accelerate launch vehicle production and flight, as well as systems that allow Starlink to grow into a worldwide fast, reliable Internet service.

We are looking for engineers who treat fellow teammates with fairness, respect, and support. Our team is currently creating and evolving systems to enable rapid build and reuse of Starship, designing next-generation manufacturing software for high-throughput Starlink factories, and building platforms that support concurrent data streams from always-on assets to manage the world’s largest satellite constellation. We also develop public-facing systems for global Starlink customer onboarding.

We collaborate closely with engineers across the company to update systems for crewed launches, Starship flights, Starlink network changes, and more. Aerospace experience is not required—we seek smart, motivated, respectful, and collaborative engineers who love solving problems and want to impact an inspiring mission.

Responsibilities

• Develop highly reliable software solutions used across SpaceX
• Create new applications that improve how SpaceX operates
• Build prototypes to prove key design concepts and quantify technical constraints
• Own all aspects of software engineering and product development
• Deep dive into users’ problems to find and create efficient solutions
• Contribute to team collaborations on architecture, design, and code reviews

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, math, or scientific discipline; OR 2+ years of professional experience building software in lieu of a degree
• 1+ years of experience in full stack development
• Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), Refugee under 8 U.S.C.1157, Asylee under 8 U.S.C.1158, or eligible for required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State (ITAR requirements)
• This role requires you to be onsite; remote and/or hybrid work will not be considered
• May be asked to work extended hours/weekends dependent on launch cadence

Skills

• Programming experience in Python, C#.NET, Go, Scala, Java, or similar object-oriented language
• 1+ years of rigorous experience building single-page web applications
• Experience with version control, continuous integration, and continuous delivery concepts
• Expertise in designing software systems
• Deep understanding of testing, continuous integration, build, deployment, and monitoring
• Expertise in profiling and improving application performance
• Experience with build systems (Make, Bazel/Pants/Buck, Gradle) and package management tools (pip, npm)
• Experience with UNIX-like operating systems and tools like Terraform, Ansible, or Puppet
• Experience working with in-stream data processing using Apache Kafka, RabbitMQ, ActiveMQ, or similar technologies
• 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

Pay

• 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 based on job-related knowledge, skills, education, and experience. Base salary is part of a total rewards package that may include long-term incentives (company stock or cash awards), discretionary bonuses, stock purchase discounts, comprehensive medical/vision/dental coverage, 401(k) retirement plan, short/long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and paid time off (3 weeks vacation + 10+ holidays per year, plus sick leave).

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Short and long-term disability insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid parental leave
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan (stock purchase discount)
• 3 weeks paid vacation + 10+ paid holidays per year
• Paid sick leave (accrued per company policy)
• Various discounts and perks