Job brief: Software Engineer, Embedded Software (Starshield)

What JoRoute checked · Checked by JoRoute

• Listed on SpaceX's own job board. JoRoute does not take listings from job ads or recruiters.
• First seen by JoRoute 2026-11-04 (2 days ago); last confirmed on the board 2026-11-06.
• The apply link opens boards.greenhouse.io, the address SpaceX's board gives for this job.
• No other listing with this title and place on this board in the last 90 days.
• No layoff notices (WARN) under this name in the state files JoRoute reads.

What the listing says · Employer's own words, not checked

• Pay: $125,000 to $175,000 a year
• Job type: Not stated
• Where: Hawthorne, CA
• Posted: 2026-03-12 · over 60 days ago

What the job asks · Employer's own words, not checked

Level: Mid level. The posting asks for 2+ years of experience.

Must have

• Aerospace or satellite experience is not required to be successful here – we want engineers to bring fresh ideas from all areas in software.
• Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, math, or scientific discipline; OR 2+ years of professional experience in software development in lieu of a degree
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret or Top Secret SCI clearance
• 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.

Conditions

• Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed
• You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year.
• 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/…

Main duties

• Create highly reliable software systems that control thousands of satellites in low earth orbit
• See your software through from start to finish: from figuring out the core needs to prototyping, developing, and testing; to on-orbit rollout and beyond
• Work with interdisciplinary teams to brainstorm, design, and build the next generation of satellite capabilities, from cutting-edge sensors and inter-satelli…
• Work directly with end customers to deliver quality products and data to meet their needs
• There are several roles within the Starshield software team with different focus areas. Applicants will interview for specific focus areas based on hiring ne…

Lines copied from the posting, not rewritten. "Preferred" or "nice to have" items are not listed as must-haves.

How it compares · Compared by JoRoute from listings

• Typical listed pay for software engineer jobs in California: $202k a year (905 listings, 46 employers). This listing is 26% lower.
• Across SpaceX's 2,895 open listings, 60% of those with a posting date were first posted more than 60 days ago. How SpaceX hires

What nobody outside the employer knows · Not known

• Whether the role is already filled or on hold: employers often leave listings up.
• How many people applied, and who reads the applications.
• Where in the published range an offer would land.

Ask before you apply

1. Is this role still open, and when do you hope to fill it?
2. What are the interview steps, and when should I expect to hear back?

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