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SpaceX

Sr. Software Engineer, Flight Software (Starship)

SpaceX is hiring a Sr. 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.
  • Tools and skills the posting cites include C, Python and Rust.
  • Level classifies it as a senior role.
  • Level lists 2,800+ other open roles at SpaceX.

AI in this role

Develop reliable flight and autonomous control software for SpaceX Starship and Super Heavy vehicles.

CPythonRust
flight-softwareautonomous-systemsfault-tolerantcontrol-theory

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, FLIGHT SOFTWARE (STARSHIP)

As an engineer on the Starship software team, you will design, develop and test software that is used to control SpaceX flight systems for the Starship and Super Heavy vehicles. You will engage with other SpaceX software and hardware engineers to code highly reliable software that allows Starship to become an orbital vehicle. You will be responsible for the complete life cycle of the software you create, from development to testing to operation during a 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 simulations to validate them
  • Develop prototypes to prove out key design concepts and quantify technical constraints
  • Own all aspects of software development, including design, testing, and mission integration
  • Provide strong technical leadership, focus on continuous improvement

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, math, or science discipline and 4+ years of professional experience in software development; OR 6+ years of professional experience in software development in lieu of a degree
  • 4+ years of professional experience C++, Python, or Rust

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

  • Strong software design and development skills
  • Experience with Rust
  • Working knowledge of control theory
  • Experience designing fault tolerant software
  • Thorough knowledge of computer architecture and networks
  • Knowledge of physics, math, and electronics
  • Strong skills in debugging, performance optimization and unit testing
  • Creative approach to problem solving
  • Ability to work effectively in a dynamic environment with changing needs and requirements
  • Ability to work independently and in a team, take initiative, and communicate effectively

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

  • Willing to work extended hours and weekends if needed to meet critical deadlines

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

Sr. 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.

Classification

Little AI. AI is not part of the work.

  1. ●●●● Builds AI80 to 100
  2. ●●●○ Works on AI60 to 79
  3. ●●○○ Uses AI40 to 59
  4. ●○○○ 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

Flight SoftwareAutonomous SystemsFault TolerantControl TheoryCPythonRust

Also common in software engineer jobs at this level

Pay

Typical software engineer job
$167k

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

  1. Tell me about a project where flight software was part of your work. What did you do?
  2. Tell me about a project where autonomous systems was part of your work. What did you do?
  3. Tell me about a project where fault tolerant was part of your work. What did you do?
  4. Tell me about a project where control theory was part of your work. What did you do?
  5. Walk me through how you've used C in your day-to-day work.

Adapt your resume

  • List these exact terms on your resume: Flight Software, Autonomous Systems, Fault Tolerant, Control Theory, 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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