Space Operations Software Engineer

About the role

SpaceX Operations Engineers are dedicated to the innovation of spaceflight operations. The Operations Tools team is responsible for deleting friction in spacecraft operations, applying the Algorithm to operations processes, and developing tooling to fly SpaceX spacecraft. We create tools and interfaces to enable the Dragon real-time operations teams to remotely fly spacecraft to the International Space Station and safely back to Earth, as well as remotely operate private passenger missions to Low Earth Orbit and beyond.

As a Space Operations Software Engineer you will become a SpaceX spacecraft operator, create tooling to enable the safe and efficient development and execution of spacecraft operations, and partner with peer teams to accelerate the advancement of human spaceflight.

Responsibilities

• Develop highly reliable software solutions that are used across SpaceX
• Create new applications that improve how SpaceX operates
• Build prototypes to prove out key design concepts and quantify technical constraints
• Own all aspects of software engineering and product development
• Deep dive into your users' problems to find and create efficient solutions
• Bring your voice to the table in team collaborations on architecture, design, and code reviews
• Become an on-console mission control operator to support human and cargo spaceflight missions

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, mathematics, or a related scientific discipline; OR 2+ years of professional experience building software in lieu of a degree
• 1+ years of experience in full stack development

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Programming experience in Python, C#/.NET, Scala, Java, or similar object-oriented language
• Programming experience integrating autonomous agents into customer workflows
• 1+ years of rigorous experience building single page web applications
• Experience with version control, continuous integration, and continuous delivery concepts
• Expertise in designing software systems
• Deep understanding of testing, continuous integration, build, deployment & monitoring
• Expertise in profiling and improving application performance
• Experience with build systems (Make, Bazel/Pants/Buck, Gradle) and package management tools (pip, npm)
• Experience with UNIX-like operating systems, and with infrastructure-as-code or configuration management tools such as Terraform, Ansible, or Puppet
• Experience working with stream processing (Kafka or similar) and messaging (RabbitMQ, ActiveMQ, or similar)
• Production experience with Docker and Kubernetes
• Front-end experience in Angular, React, or similar JavaScript framework
• Database experience with PostgreSQL, SQL Server, or similar database technologies

Additional Requirements

• Must be open to occasional travel to other SpaceX sites (California, Texas, and Florida)
• Must be open to working long hours and weekends to support mission operations and critical project timelines

Pay Range

Level 1: $125,000.00 - $160,000.00

Level 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.

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.