Software Engineer, Embedded Software (Starlink)
- No experience required
- US citizenship
- ITAR / US person
How this pay compares
This posting states $125k–$200k a year. Open software engineer jobs in Washington post a median of $169k a year, the middle half $163k–$198k, across 171 jobs that state their pay, so this one is within the middle half of what they post.
About the job
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, EMBEDDED SOFTWARE (STARLINK) As an embedded engineer on the Starlink flight software team , you will design, develop and test software that is used to control SpaceX flight and ground systems.
You will be responsible for both components that fly on robotic vehicles in space, and the ground systems that orchestrate the world’s largest satellite constellation. You will engage with other SpaceX software and hardware engineers to discover the needs of the mission and code highly reliable software that turns the mission into a reality.
You will be responsible for the complete life cycle of the software you create, from development to testing to operation during a continuous 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 an ambitious and inspiring mission. ## RESPONSIBILITIES - Develop highly reliable autonomous software systems, and the full suite of testing needed to ensure their resilience, fault tolerance, and correctness - Design software for both vehicles flying in space, and the ground systems that support them - Build prototypes and analyze system metrics to prove out key design concepts and quantify technical constraints - Own all aspects of software development, including design, testing, release, and flight operations - Provide strong technical leadership, focus on continuous improvement ## BASIC QUALIFICATIONS - Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, math, or STEM discipline OR 2+ years of experience in software development - Development experience in C/C++, Python, or other similar programming languages ## PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE Interested candidates who meet the basic qualifications should consider applying.
The following preferred skills and experience are helpful for this role, but candidates with only some of them are able to be successful on our team.
Learning on the job is critical success at SpaceX, and a core part of the excitement of working on a flight software team. - Strong software design and development skills - Experience designing fault tolerant, distributed, or real-time systems - Cross-context test design skills, ranging from simple unit tests through to integrated hardware-in-the-loop regression and exploratory tests - Thorough knowledge of computer architecture and networks - Knowledge of physics, math, and electronics - Strong skills in debugging, performance optimization, and performance testing - Familiarity with Linux programming - Ability to work effectively in a dynamic environment with changing needs and requirements - Ability to work independently or in a team, take initiative, and communicate effectively in a solution-oriented manner ## ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS - Willing to work extended hours and weekends when needed ## Pay Range Level 1: $125,000.00 - $165,000.00 Level 2: $145,000.00 - $200,000.00 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 in Washington State accrue paid sick time in compliance with state and federal law. Company shuttles are offered to employees for roundtrip travel from select Seattle locations to the SpaceX Redmond office Monday to Friday. ## 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 .
From SpaceX's job posting, checked 7 Nov 2026. The employer's own page is the final word on requirements and availability.
Selected agencies hiring now
Contract Professionals Inc (CPI)Engineering and technical staffing agency
Aerospace and defense staffing firm in Waterford, Michigan, placing engineers, maintenance technicians, mechanics, welders and CNC machinists.
Places: Propulsion, Mechanical, Avionics, RF & Payloads
Moseley Technical ServicesEngineering and technical staffing agency
Engineering and technical staffing firm in Huntsville, Alabama, placing engineers and A&P, sheet metal, CNC and quality technicians.
Places: Propulsion, Mechanical, Avionics, RF & Payloads
These agencies and apps pay SpaceJobs.Now a referral fee when someone we introduce is placed or signs up. It costs you nothing and never changes your pay. Employers' own jobs below keep their own order.
Sponsored jobs from job networks, which pay SpaceJobs.Now when you click one.
Free tools for this application: check your resume against this job, answer the application's questions or see every free tool.
New flight software and GNC jobs in Washington, by email
One email a week with the newest ones, straight from the employers' own careers sites, with the pay each posting states. Free, stop anytime.
About SpaceX
Designs, manufactures and launches advanced rockets and spacecraft.
Pay on its listings: 53.2% of its open jobs state an hourly rate
How it pays: Paid as an employee on SpaceX's own payroll (salaried or hourly, as each posting states).
More flight software and GNC jobs
- Software Development Engineer, Amazon Leo, Embedded Platform$165,200–$223,600/yr
- Design Authority Solution Logiciel (Logiciel embarqué / Bancs de test / Simulateurs) - F/H
- Senior Embedded Software Engineer$140,500–$221,500/yr
- Senior Software Engineer (Lead) - Terminal Software$168,000–$265,000/yr
- Embedded Flight Software Engineer 2
- GNC Engineer (Dragon)$125,000–$195,000/yr
Written flight software or GNC?
One profile for every employer here. Space companies and their recruiters ask us for people with a specific degree, clearance, specialty or location: add yours once, and when a job fits, we introduce you, only with your yes. Free.
SpaceX openings, sent to you weekly
Each week we send the newest postings from SpaceX's own careers site, along with similar openings at other space employers. It costs nothing and you can stop anytime.