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Spacex Software Engineer Jobs in Washington, DC (NOW HIRING)

SpaceX

Sr. Site Reliability Engineer

Washington, DC · On-site

$165K - $230K/yr

SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is ... Software engineering and innovation is at the core of these programs. The satellite software team ...

SpaceX

Sr. Site Reliability Engineer

Washington, DC · On-site

$165K - $230K/yr

SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is ... Software engineering and innovation is at the core of these programs. The satellite software team ...

SpaceX

Sr. Site Reliability Engineer

Washington, DC · On-site

$165K - $230K/yr

SpaceX's satellite programs are pushing the boundaries of in-space capabilities. Our missions ... Software engineering and innovation is at the core of these programs. The satellite software team ...

SpaceX

Sr. AI Engineer, Special Programs

Washington, DC · On-site

$220K - $350K/yr

SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is ... OR 2+ years of professional experience in software development in lieu of a degree * 5+ years of ...

SpaceX

Sr. AI Engineer, Special Programs

Washington, DC · On-site

$220K - $350K/yr

SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is ... OR 2+ years of professional experience in software development in lieu of a degree * 5+ years of ...

SpaceX

Sr. AI Engineer, Special Programs

Washington, DC · On-site

$220K - $350K/yr

OR 2+ years of professional experience in software development in lieu of a degree * 5+ years of ... Should you be unable to obtain it, SpaceX reserves the right to modify or terminate your employment ...

SpaceX

AI Engineer, Special Programs

Washington, DC · On-site

$125K - $220K/yr

OR 2+ years of professional experience in software development in lieu of a degree PREFERRED SKILLS ... Should you be unable to obtain it, SpaceX reserves the right to modify or terminate your employment ...

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Spacex Software Engineer information

See Washington, DC salary details

$72.5K

$168.3K

$234.5K

How much do spacex software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for spacex software engineer in Washington, DC is $168,345.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $136,900.00 and $197,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a SpaceX software engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a SpaceX Software Engineer, you need strong programming skills (in languages like C++, Python, or Java), a solid understanding of computer science fundamentals, and typically a bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, or a related field. Familiarity with real-time operating systems, embedded systems, version control (e.g., Git), and experience with aerospace or robotics software frameworks are commonly required. Exceptional problem-solving, teamwork, and effective communication skills make candidates stand out in this high-stakes, fast-paced environment. These technical and soft skills are crucial for developing reliable code that powers complex space systems and for collaborating across multidisciplinary teams to achieve ambitious mission goals.

What does a SpaceX software engineer do?

A SpaceX Software Engineer designs, develops, tests, and maintains software systems that are crucial for the company’s aerospace missions. Their work includes writing code for flight control, simulation, data analysis, and ground systems that support rocket launches and spacecraft operations. SpaceX Software Engineers collaborate with hardware teams, ensure the reliability and safety of mission-critical systems, and solve unique engineering challenges in the aerospace field. Their contributions are essential to the success of SpaceX’s ambitious goals, such as launching rockets, deploying satellites, and enabling crewed missions to space.

What types of projects and technologies do SpaceX software engineers typically work on, and how does this impact daily collaboration within the team?

SpaceX Software Engineers often work on a diverse range of projects, from developing flight software for rockets and spacecraft, to building infrastructure and mission control systems. This requires frequent collaboration with hardware engineers, mission operators, and other software teams to ensure seamless integration and real-time performance. Daily work can involve code reviews, problem solving, and participation in cross-functional meetings to address challenges unique to aerospace, such as real-time data processing and reliability. The fast-paced, mission-driven environment means software engineers play a crucial role in delivering innovative solutions that directly support SpaceX’s launch and mission objectives.
What are popular job titles related to Spacex Software Engineer jobs in Washington, DC? For Spacex Software Engineer jobs in Washington, DC, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Spacex Software Engineer jobs in Washington, DC look for? The top searched job categories for Spacex Software Engineer jobs in Washington, DC are:
Spacex Software Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Spacex Software Engineer job openings in Washington, DC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 86% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $168,345 per year, or $80.9 per hour.

Sr. Site Reliability Engineer (Starshield)

SpaceX

Washington, DC • On-site

$165K - $230K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 26 days ago

SpaceX rating

8.8

Company rating: 8.8 out of 10

Based on 147 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

15th of 72 rated aerospace companies

Job description

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. SITE RELIABILITY ENGINEER (STARSHIELD)
Starshield leverages SpaceX's Starlink technology and launch capability to support national security efforts. While Starlink is designed for consumer and commercial use, Starshield is designed for government use, with an initial focus on earth observation, communications, and hosted payloads. SpaceX's satellite programs are pushing the boundaries of in-space capabilities. Our missions support scientific research, classified national security space and commercial opportunities. Software engineering and innovation is at the core of these programs.
The satellite software team is building highly reliable in-space mesh networks, designing secure systems to guarantee access to space, designing next-gen communication and sensing software, and more. Aerospace experience is not required to be successful here - we want our engineers to bring fresh ideas from all areas. We look for engineers who love solving problems and seek to make an impact on an inspiring mission. As we expand this team, we're looking for versatile, motivated, and collaborative engineers.
Our team is involved in designing the vehicle systems at every phase of development. We build tools that enable us to work more efficiently, and that help us build software systems that are secure, reliable, and autonomous. Our software engineers are responsible for the life cycle of the software they create, including development, testing, and operational support.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Develop automation to deploy and manage compute resources both on-premises and in the cloud
  • Deploy and manage core infrastructure such as databases, monitoring and storage
  • Closely collaborate with software engineers to create highly scalable, operable and maintainable products
  • Engage in and improve the whole lifecycle of services -- from inception and design, through deployment, operation and refinement

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Bachelor's degree in computer science, information systems/IT, or an engineering discipline and 5+ years of professional experience with Linux operating systems; OR 7+ years of professional experience in software, DevOps, or site reliability engineering in lieu of a degree
  • 5+ year of experience with Kubernetes
  • 5+ year of experience with Linux operating systems
  • Experience in Bash, Python, and/or other scripting languages

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
  • 5+ years of experience with Python and Python-based development frameworks
  • Experience managing Kubernetes clusters, not just using them
  • Knowledge of Linux boot process and systems configuration
  • Deep understanding of testing, continuous integration, build, deployment & continuous monitoring
  • Understanding of relevant build technologies, such as Bazel and Makefiles
  • Focus on performance bottlenecks and performance improvement techniques
  • Understanding of distributed databases and data modeling
  • Experience with automatically managing dozens, hundreds, or thousands of servers (eg: Terraform or Ansible)
  • Strong networking knowledge of TCP/IP
  • Excellent communications skills with the ability to communicate with customers, peers, management etc. in both formal and informal situations
  • Active Top Secret, Top Secret SCI, or DOE Level Q clearance

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
  • Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed
  • This position requires successfully obtaining and maintaining a Top Secret Security Clearance as a condition of employment. While the clearance may not be immediately necessary upon hire, we encourage you to initiate the application process promptly upon accepting this offer. Your ability to secure the necessary clearance is essential for fulfilling key responsibilities of the role. Should you be unable to obtain it, SpaceX reserves the right to modify or terminate your employment to align with operational needs.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
Pay Range:
Level 3: $165,000.00 - $230,000.00
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.

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.

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About SpaceX

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

Aerospace product and parts manufacturing, data services, guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing and satellite telecommunications

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Hawthorne, CA, US

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