Software Engineer, Collision Avoidance (Starshield)
Required skills
- collision avoidance
- payload management
- orbital prediction
- large spacecraft constellations
- fleet analysis
- mission-critical systems
- low-earth orbit
- Top Secret
- Top Secret SCI
- DOE Level Q
Nice to have
- Starlink
- Starshield
- GNC
- Guidance, Navigation, and Control
- object-oriented programming
- large-scale consumer internet systems
Role summary
SpaceX's Starshield division is seeking a Software Engineer for its GNC organization to build mission-critical systems for national security efforts, focusing on collision avoidance and orbital prediction for large satellite constellations. The role involves the full software lifecycle, from development to testing and support, requiring expertise in distributed systems and a strong background in math and physics. Experience with Python, C++, containerization (Docker, Kubernetes), and relational databases is preferred. An active Top Secret clearance is required.
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.
SOFTWARE ENGINEER, COLLISION AVOIDANCE (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.
As a software engineer working in Starshield’s GNC (Guidance, Navigation, and Control) organization, you will use your distributed systems knowledge to build mission-critical systems that keep low-earth orbit safe. You’ll work on payload management, collision avoidance, and orbital prediction tools for the large spacecraft constellations, and the analysis pipelines that prove those systems are working for our fleet.
Our software engineers are responsible for the complete lifecycle of the software they create, including development, testing, and support. We look for engineers who love solving problems and seek to make an impact on an inspiring mission. As we expand this team, we're looking for versatile, motivated, and collaborative engineers.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:Pay Range:Level 1: $125,000.00 - $160,000.00Level 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.
Those with an active clearance will receive a 10% differential, up to an additional $20,000 annually, once officially briefed into a classified program.
ITAR REQUIREMENTS:
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 EEOCompliance@spacex.com.
Sample SpaceX interview questions
- 1
Build a distributed platform for storing and serving digital assets.
system designmedium - 2
Design a system for real-time processing of IoT device data.
system designmedium - 3
Design a distributed message queue like Kafka.
system designmedium - 4
Develop a web app that shortens URLs like TinyURL.
system designmedium - 5
Propose a high-level design for a tracing system that can handle millions of spans per second across thousands of services.
system designmedium
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