Security Software Engineer, Applied Computing (Starshield)

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 ofenabling human life on Mars.

SECURITY SOFTWARE ENGINEER APPLIED COMPUTING (STARSHIELD)

Starshield leverages SpaceXs 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. The Starshield 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.

As a Security Software Engineer you will leverage AI to automate security-related efforts and ensure safe AI integration into new and existing systems. If you are passionate about AI security and pushing the limits of combining both together this role is for you.

Ideally you have notable skills in the following:

• Software engineering
• Agent engineering and security
• LLM attack surfaces
• Network and operating system security
• Incident response and adversary detection

Being flexible communicating clearly and establishing and maintaining productive working relationships with other engineering teams are paramount to success. If you are passionate about building quality products love the challenges of outsmarting adversaries and want to make an impact on an inter-planetary scale then you will fit right in.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Design and build security-critical agents for Starshield that automate network and systems defense
• Leverage AI to discover and fix security issues in Starshield infrastructure and systems
• Provide guidance and perform testing of AI integrations into new and existing Starshield systems
• Identify new areas of the program where meaningful security improvements can be gained via automation and AI
• Maintain existing production systems and improve security posture via both direct implementation and recommendations to other teams

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelors degree in computer science or another STEM discipline; OR 2 years of professional experience in security software development in lieu of a degree
• Experience with one or more software development languages (i.e. Python C Golang)
• Experience designing and implementing security solutions for operating systems distributed systems or other enterprise/large-scale infrastructure
• Experience designing and implementing solutions with LLMs LLM-based agents or adjacent AI topics

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Demonstrated ability to deal with ambiguity learn quickly problem solve and take ownership of the end result
• Understanding of core security engineering topics: cryptography authentication network security operating system security
• Experience designing prompting and securing agents that can perform long-running autonomous tasks
• Experience red-teaming/penetration-testing LLMs including prompt injection jailbreaking and data exfiltration
• Experience deploying and managing LLMs including infrastructure and maintenance to ensure reliable scalable operation
• Experience contributing security improvements to complex systems
• Flexibility communicating clearly and establishing and maintaining productive working relationships with other engineering teams
• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal
• Ability to work both independently and in a team
• Advanced degree in a technical or engineering discipline
• 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:

Security Software Engineer/Level I: $130000.00 - $150000.00/per year

Security Software Engineer/Level II: $145000.00 - $175000.00/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. 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 SpaceXs Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to.