Software Engineer, Flight Software (Starship)
SpaceX is hiring a Software Engineer, Flight Software (Starship). Level rates it ; you can apply on SpaceX.
Level's read on this job
- Level rates this software engineer role Little AI ●○○○: aI is not part of the work.
- The posting mentions C, Rust and embedded systems among its tools and skills.
- Level classes it as a mid-level role.
- SpaceX has 2,800+ other open roles on Level.
AI in this role
Design, develop, and test flight and simulation software to control SpaceX Starship systems.
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, FLIGHT SOFTWARE (STARSHIP)
SpaceX's Starship spacecraft and Super Heavy rocket (collectively referred to as Starship) represent a fully reusable transportation system designed to carry both crew and cargo to Earth orbit, the Moon, Mars and beyond. Starship will be the world's most powerful launch vehicle ever developed, with the ability to carry in excess of 100 metric tons to Earth orbit.
As a Software Engineer on the Starship software team, you will design, develop, and test software that is used to both control and simulate SpaceX flight systems. You will engage with other SpaceX software and hardware engineers to implement and debug software at all layers of our stack – application, operating system, networking, firmware, simulation – to achieve the mission.
Aerospace experience is not required to be successful here - rather we look for smart, motivated, collaborative engineers who love solving problems and want to make an impact on a super inspiring mission.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Develop highly reliable autonomous software systems and the simulations required to validate them
- Own all aspects of software development, including design, testing, and integration to the mission
- Work with counterpart engineering teams to develop and maintain launch and vehicle software, crossing all required software domains necessary to implement and verify control of the pad, ship, and booster to meet mission objectives
- Follow and maintain high software standards and software engineering best practices within Starship Software
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree in computer science, software engineering, computer engineering, electrical engineering or other engineering discipline; OR 2+ years of professional software development experience in lieu of a degree
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
- Proven skills and knowledge of C++, Rust, or other systems programming language
- Experience building or working with real-time embedded systems or distributed computing systems
- Strong focus and interest in designing, architecting, and implementing excellent, bug-free software
- Basic knowledge of electronics, controls, fluid systems, motor design, or physical mechanics
- Strong critical thinking and first-principles problem-solving skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Able to work effectively in a dynamic environment while assuming high levels of responsibility and demonstrating accountability for software outcomes
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Willing to work long hours and weekends as needed
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 EEOCompliance@spacex.com.
How we rate this
Software Engineer, Flight Software (Starship) at SpaceX rates 10 out of 100 for how much of the daily work is AI. That makes it Little AI (AI Level 1 of 4). The level is about AI in the job, not seniority.
Little AI. AI is not part of the work.
- ●●●● Builds AI80 to 100
- ●●●○ Works on AI60 to 79
- ●●○○ Uses AI40 to 59
- ●○○○ Little AI0 to 39
Levels come from how often the tools, models and workflows of the role are named in the posting itself. Read the description and count the AI tools, models and workflows it names.
Prepare for this job
Built from this posting and from similar jobs on Level.
Skills and AI tools this role asks for
Also common in software engineer jobs at this level
Pay
- Typical software engineer job
- $168k
This posting doesn't list pay. Use the typical software engineer figure when pay comes up. See software engineer jobs
Questions you could be asked
- Tell me about a project where embedded systems was part of your work. What did you do?
- Tell me about a project where distributed computing was part of your work. What did you do?
- Tell me about a project where autonomous systems was part of your work. What did you do?
- Tell me about a project where flight software was part of your work. What did you do?
- Walk me through how you've used C in your day-to-day work.
Adapt your resume
- List these exact terms on your resume: Embedded Systems, Distributed Computing, Autonomous Systems, Flight Software, and C. An applicant tracking system matches the wording, not the idea.
- Attach one line of real, concrete experience to at least one of them. A tool named with nothing behind it rarely survives a human read.
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