The posting, in SpaceX's own words
archived Sep 8, 2026SpaceX 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. NEW GRADUATE ENGINEER, SOFTWARE (STARSHIP) Our SpaceX team is working on the toughest and most audacious projects on our planet: making humanity multiplanetary. 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. Our development timelines are quick and you will need to rigorously explore solutions for previously unsolved or unknown problems. Every day, we push the limits of what is possible through innovation, determination, and teamwork to drive the mission to success. 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:
Expect a dynamic role doing what you’re best at. Our team is building high-performance flight hardware. Whatever your skill set, you’ll be aligned to the part of the program you’re most effectively able to contribute to. 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. Get a front row seat to witness an impossible idea manifest in real life. The next few years will be incredibly dynamic as we transition from the challenge of building hardware to actually flying reusable rockets to orbit and deploying complex satellites to orbit.
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BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, computer engineering, electrical engineering or other engineering discipline. Graduating with a bachelor's degree, master's degree, or PhD in 2027.
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. 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. Experience working at a nimble engineering organization or in a highly technical position that required a scrappy, entrepreneurial manner to accomplish tasks with tight time or budget constraints. Excelled in ultra-competitive environments. You’ve nailed a podium finish in engineering, math, or science competitions, achieved scores in the top percentile of scholastic or standardized tests, or demonstrated other incredible feats of intellectual achievement. Succeeded in multiple endeavors at once. Maybe you worked through college, were a student athlete, or demonstrated strong work or academic performance in multiple fields. Demonstrated rapid growth. You’ve held successive positions of increasing responsibility within an organization, were able to get yourself up to speed at a heroic pace, and accomplished something meaningfully difficult early in your career. Success in academics at a rigorous and highly regarded university: minimum GPA 3.5/4.0 or higher, standardized test scores minimum 95th percentile, merit-based scholarship recipient.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed.
Pay Range:
Software Engineer/Level I: $125,000.00 - $150,000.00/per year Software Engineer/Level II: $145,000.00 - $175,000.00/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, stock options, 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. Exempt employees are eligible for 5 days of sick leave per year.