Full-Time

Software Engineer

Posted on 1/28/2026

SpaceX

SpaceX

10,001+ employees

Designs, manufactures, and launches rockets

Compensation Overview

$125k - $175k/yr

No H1B Sponsorship

West Athens, CA, USA

In Person

US Citizenship, US Top Secret Clearance Required

Bachelor's

Category
Software Engineering (1)
Required Skills
Python
Software Testing
Data Structures & Algorithms
C/C++
Data Analysis

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Requirements
  • Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, math, or STEM discipline; OR 2+ years of professional experience in software development in lieu of a degree
  • Development experience in C, C++, or Python; or full stack software development experience
Responsibilities
  • Develop modular, reusable test and automation software in Python and similar languages for manufacturing and engineering design verification
  • Write automation software to interact with flight hardware, test equipment, instrumentation, and production documentation systems
  • Develop custom automation solutions to engineering and manufacturing challenges using a combination of embedded electronics and innovative hardware
  • Develop algorithms to analyze complex test data to determine if components have met acceptance criteria
  • Maintain and troubleshoot existing automation infrastructure and work with partner teams to determine and correct root cause of failures
  • Define and implement project plans, manage milestones and hold reviews to assure reliable test systems are delivered to production
Desired Qualifications
  • Extensive knowledge of Linux and Windows operating systems
  • Experience with configuration management and version control software
  • Experience with continuous integration and agile development
  • Experience automating processes and testing to improve manufacturing yields and reduce production time
  • Experience developing application, test, or automation software in an interdisciplinary environment
  • Experience with control feedback loop design and implementation
  • Experience with numerical analysis techniques and signal processing in multiple domains
  • Extensive knowledge with a range of digital and analog interfaces including GPIB, USB, VISA, TCP/IP, VLAN, CAN bus, SPI, I2C, Modbus, analog-to-digital conversion
  • Experience troubleshooting interactions between software and hardware such as network devices and lab instrumentation
  • Experience with spacecraft fluid systems
  • Experience with high power electrical systems
  • Experience with electro-mechanical systems
  • Experience with embedded hardware product development

SpaceX designs, builds, and launches rockets and spacecraft for government and commercial customers, using reusable first stages to cut costs. Its Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy recover their boosters to enable rapid reuse, while Dragon transports cargo and crew to the International Space Station. Starlink operates a satellite internet constellation to provide global broadband coverage. It earns revenue from launches and merchandise, with the broader goal of making space travel cheaper and, over time, enabling human life on other planets and expanding global internet access.

Company Size

10,001+

Company Stage

IPO

Headquarters

Starbase, Texas

Founded

2002

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Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Reuters reported SpaceX's $100 billion Louisiana site expands Starship capacity and jobs.
  • FCC approval of EchoStar spectrum accelerates Starlink direct-to-cell and hybrid network deployment.
  • Starlink's new maritime tier shows product-market fit and pricing power among niche users.

What critics are saying

  • FAA oversight keeps Starship tied to mishap investigations after May 2026 booster failure.
  • Louisiana Starbase faces wetlands and regulatory reviews before 2029 first launch.
  • Starlink mobile expansion requires massive towers and years, while Verizon and AT&T defend customers.

What makes SpaceX unique

  • SpaceX controls launch, spacecraft, and low-earth-orbit broadband in one stack.
  • Starship and Starbase Louisiana target thousands of launches yearly, unmatched by rivals.
  • EchoStar spectrum gives SpaceX terrestrial-mobile optionality beyond satellite broadband.

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Benefits

Benefits and Perks - Our employees’ well-being is important to us and essential to our capacity to do extraordinary things. We offer a wide variety of programs to support the health, wellness, and financial security of our employees and their families.

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

-2%

1 year growth

-3%

2 year growth

-3%
Yahoo Finance
Aug 30th, 2026
Morgan Stanley sets $300 target on SpaceX as $100B Louisiana Starbase signals launch ambitions beyond forecasts

Morgan Stanley analyst Adam Jonas has maintained an Overweight rating and $300 price target on SpaceX stock, implying 117% upside from its current $137.95 price. The target follows SpaceX's announcement of a $100 billion Starbase complex in southern Louisiana featuring up to 10 launch pads. Jonas argues investors are underestimating SpaceX's Starship ambitions. Morgan Stanley forecasts nearly 5,800 annual Starship launches by 2040, requiring just eight pads. Yet SpaceX is planning 15 pads across Louisiana, Texas, and Florida. Construction is forecast to begin in 2027, with first launches targeted for 2029. The decade-long project will include propellant production, energy generation, vehicle processing facilities, and employee housing. SpaceX went public on 12 June 2026, reaching $225.64 before retreating to near its debut price.

Basenor
Aug 28th, 2026
Starlink Personal Maritime plan: $185/Mo for small boat owners.

Starlink Personal Maritime plan: $185/Mo for small boat owners. Table of Contents SpaceX has quietly rolled out a new Starlink tier called Personal Maritime, targeting small boat owners who need reliable offshore connectivity without the restrictions that have frustrated the boating community since July. At $185 per month, it's a direct response to complaints about the 30-day international Roam travel limit - and it eliminates that ceiling entirely for vessels under 40 feet. What the plan actually covers. Personal Maritime delivers unlimited data and continuous connectivity within territorial waters - defined as within 12 nautical miles of any coastline worldwide. The key selling point is the removal of the 30-day Roam travel limit that SpaceX imposed on Roam Unlimited users in July, which drew immediate backlash from sailors and cruisers who regularly cross international borders on multi-month voyages. The plan was announced via email to select Starlink customers in the boating community on August 27, according to verified reports. As of publication, it is not yet publicly listed on Starlink.com, suggesting SpaceX is still in a soft-launch phase. The Ocean Mode caveat - and a coming price hike. Beyond 12 nautical miles, Personal Maritime users can access Ocean Mode for data at sea. That's where a significant change is coming: effective September 27, the cost of Ocean Mode data will jump from $2 per GB to $6 per GB - a 200% increase that applies to both Personal Maritime and existing Roam Unlimited subscribers. Offshore sailors who rely heavily on open-ocean connectivity should factor that into their cost calculations before switching. Who qualifies - and who doesn't. SpaceX has drawn clear eligibility lines. Personal Maritime is restricted to personal vessels under 40 feet in length. It explicitly excludes: * Yachts and larger private vessels * Commercially operated vessels, including ferries and commercial fishing boats * Land use of any kind Signing up isn't as simple as clicking a button. Customers must submit a support ticket with vessel details: name, flag state, length overall (LOA), a unique identifier (Hull Identification Number, Craft Identification Number, MMSI, or ITU Call Sign), and a copy of the vessel's Registration Certificate. The verification step suggests SpaceX intends to enforce the under-40-foot restriction rather than treat it as an honor system. The context: A direct response to boater pushback. SpaceX's July decision to cap international Roam usage at 30 days per trip was widely criticized in sailing and cruising communities. Liveaboards and long-distance voyagers - exactly the demographic that had embraced Starlink as a game-changer for offshore connectivity - found themselves facing a hard cutoff that didn't fit their travel patterns. Personal Maritime reads as a targeted fix: a dedicated tier that acknowledges maritime users have fundamentally different needs than terrestrial roamers. At $185/month, it sits above the standard residential plan but well below Starlink's commercial maritime offerings, which are aimed at commercial operators and carry significantly higher price tags. For a small-boat owner who previously cobbled together coverage through Roam Unlimited workarounds, the new plan offers a cleaner, purpose-built solution - provided the Ocean Mode price increase doesn't offset the savings. Whether SpaceX extends similar dedicated tiers to larger vessels or adjusts the 40-foot cutoff based on uptake will be worth watching. For now, the September 27 Ocean Mode price change gives interested boaters a concrete deadline to evaluate whether Personal Maritime makes sense before costs shift. Sources & reporting notes The links below identify the material source records used for this report. * @SawyerMerritt on X (2026-08-28T14:30:58.000Z) - Direct source Source links are preserved as published or accessed. See its editorial standards and corrections policy. BASENOR Newsroom The BASENOR Editorial Desk covers Tesla, SpaceX, and related technology, curating reporting from primary sources - official accounts, regulatory filings, and software release data. Every article passes source-record and fact-checking review before publication. About the newsroom. This report was curated by the BASENOR Editorial Desk from the sources listed above. Read its editorial standards or email [email protected] to report an error. Stay in the Loop Join 27,000+ Tesla owners who get its tips first - plus 10% OFF

Yahoo Finance
Aug 28th, 2026
SpaceX's $100B Louisiana spaceport draws investor scrutiny over financing

SpaceX's plan to build a $100 billion spaceport in Louisiana's Vermilion Parish is facing investor scrutiny over financing. Morgan Stanley analyst Adam Jonas estimates the facility represents roughly 2% of SpaceX's expected spending through 2035, suggesting the company will need to take on significant debt to fund its broader ambitions. The Starbase Louisiana facility will be SpaceX's fourth and largest launch site, featuring five launch complexes. Construction is set to begin in 2027, with the first launch targeted for 2029. Louisiana Economic Development projects the spaceport will create 3,000 direct jobs at an average salary of $92,600. The company's second-quarter capital expenditures reached $18.4 billion, up from $10.1 billion the previous quarter, causing its stock to fall 8% in after-hours trading.

Gate.com
Aug 28th, 2026
SpaceX plans $100B Louisiana investment, ESA awards €543M to startups.

SpaceX plans $100B Louisiana investment, ESA awards €543M to startups. 2026-08-28 04:27:50 Key takeaways. * SpaceX announced up to $100 billion investment in Louisiana for Starship factories and launch pads. * Rocket Factory Augsburg, PLD Space, and Isar Aerospace received €543 million total from ESA contracts. * ESA contract award process with MaiaSpace is nearing completion under European Launcher Challenge. SpaceX announced plans this week to invest up to $100 billion in Louisiana to construct Starship factories and multiple launch pads, while the European Space Agency said Thursday it signed contracts with three European launch startups totaling over €543 million. The SpaceX investment would transform coastal Louisiana, previously known for NASA's Michoud Assembly Facility. The ESA contracts support the European Launcher Challenge initiative to expand European launch service supply and ensure robustness in Europe's access to space. SpaceX plans $100 billion Starship investment in Louisiana. SpaceX plans to invest up to $100 billion to construct factories and multiple launch pads for the Starship super heavy lift rocket in coastal Louisiana. The state was previously associated with space primarily due to NASA's aging Michoud Assembly Facility near New Orleans. The investment would utterly transform coastal Louisiana, making it a potential epicenter of SpaceX's Starship program. ESA awards €543 million to three European launch startups. The European Space Agency announced Thursday it signed contracts with three European launch startups under the European Launcher Challenge. Rocket Factory Augsburg, based in Germany and developing the RFA One rocket, received €186.9 million, mainly funded by Germany with a contribution by the United Kingdom. PLD Space, based in Spain and developing the Miura 5 rocket, received €158.9 million, mainly funded by Spain with a contribution by Germany. Isar Aerospace, based in Germany and developing the Spectrum launcher, received €197.8 million, mainly funded by Germany with contributions by Austria and Norway. The agency said another contract award process with MaiaSpace is nearing completion. Faq. What is SpaceX planning to invest in Louisiana? SpaceX announced plans this week to invest up to $100 billion in Louisiana to construct factories and multiple launch pads for the Starship super heavy lift rocket in coastal Louisiana. Which companies received ESA European Launcher Challenge contracts? ESA announced Thursday that Rocket Factory Augsburg received €186.9 million, PLD Space received €158.9 million, and Isar Aerospace received €197.8 million under the European Launcher Challenge initiative. Disclaimer: The information on this page may come from third-party sources and is for reference only. It does not represent the views or opinions of Gate and does not constitute any financial, investment, or legal advice. Virtual asset trading involves high risk. Please do not rely solely on the information on this page when making decisions. For details, see the Disclaimer.

Ars Technica
Aug 28th, 2026
SpaceX commits $100B to Louisiana Starbase with dozen launch towers

The US government has announced new policies to improve launch facility efficiency, including transparent range scheduling at federal spaceports and identifying potential locations for additional launch sites. The measures aim to better integrate space operations into airspace management. Arianespace is set to launch the MTG-I2 meteorological satellite on Thursday using its Ariane 62 configuration, marking the rocket's first mission to geostationary orbit and fourth launch of the year. Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry announced that SpaceX will invest $100 billion to develop "Starbase Louisiana", a new Starship production and launch facility. The site will span approximately 125,000 acres near Pecan Island, dwarfing the 350-acre Texas location. Construction is planned for 2027, with initial launches targeted for 2029. The facility may eventually accommodate up to twelve Starship launch towers.

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