SpaceX

Principal Software Engineer, Continuous Integration (Starship)

SpaceX$200K — $285K *
Aerospace & Defense
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 7+ years of software engineering experience or 9+ years without a degree
  • Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, math or STEM discipline preferred
  • Experience in building impactful tools and infrastructure for software teams
  • Fluency in Python, C++, Rust, or Go
  • Familiarity with Bazel or similar build systems
  • Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Responsibilities

  • Invent and improve tools for fast, correct software development
  • Conduct hands-on integration and troubleshooting of the software stack
  • Collaborate with teams to design and optimize on-premises compute resources
  • Identify and innovate solutions to challenges in the Starship program
  • Own and drive projects from conception to completion

Benefits

  • Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage
  • 401(k) retirement plan with company match
  • Short and long-term disability insurance
  • Life insurance and paid parental leave
  • 3 weeks of paid vacation and 10+ paid holidays
  • Accrual of paid sick leave
  • Employee Stock Purchase Plan with stock purchase discounts
Full Job Description
PRINCIPAL SOFTWARE ENGINEER, CONTINUOUS INTEGRATION (STARSHIP)

As a Principal Software Engineer on the Starship Continuous Integration team, you will own the tools that power Starship software development. You will design, maintain, and scale the systems which enable hundreds of engineers to integrate their changes and deliver reliable software to all Starship vehicles and launch pads on a continuous basis. This is a high-autonomy role and we are looking for people who want to work closely with peers, identify the biggest problems facing the team, and own solutions from start to finish!

Aerospace experience is not required to be successful here - rather we look for smart, motivated, collaborative engineers who love solving problems and want to be a force multiplier for building world class software that is critical to SpaceX's mission to make life multiplanetary.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Invent tools and processes which enable fast and correct software development.
  • Hands-on integration and troubleshooting across the entire Starship software stack.
  • Collaborate with counterpart teams to design, maintain, and continuously improve a dedicated pool of on-premises compute.
  • Identify areas for improvement and create innovative solutions that enable the software team to tackle all challenges facing the Starship program as we develop the world's first fully reusable rocket and spacecraft.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
  • 7+ years of software engineering experience and a Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, math, or STEM discipline; OR 9+ years of professional experience in software development in lieu of a degree

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
  • Skill with Bazel or similar build systems
  • Fluency in Python, C++, Rust, or Go
  • Experience building tools and infrastructure that impacts hundreds of engineers daily
  • Experience with AI-assisted development tools and interest in applying AI to improve code quality, testing, and development workflows
  • 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

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay range:
Principal Software Engineer: $200,000.00 - $285,000.00/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. a7 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. a7 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.

About SpaceX

SpaceX is an American aerospace manufacturer and space transportation services company founded in 2002 by entrepreneur Elon Musk. The company designs, manufactures, and launches advanced rockets and spacecraft. SpaceX has developed the Falcon 1, Falcon 9, Falcon Heavy, and Dragon spacecraft. The company was founded with the goal of reducing space transportation costs and enabling the colonization of Mars. SpaceX has achieved several milestones in spaceflight, including the first privately-funded liquid-propellant rocket to reach orbit, the first privately-funded company to send a spacecraft to the International Space Station, and the first privately-funded company to send a human-rated spacecraft to orbit.
Learn more about SpaceX
Size
8,000 employees
Industry
Founded
2002

Similar Jobs

More Jobs at SpaceX

More Aerospace & Defense Jobs

Find similar Principal Software Engineer, Continuous Integration (Starship) jobs: