Forward Deployed Engineer, Mission Systems (Starshield)
SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP, Hawthorne, CA, United States
Location
Hawthorne, CA
About SpaceX
SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is 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.
Position: Forward Deployed Engineer, Mission Systems (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.
As a member of our Mission Management team, you will help tackle new technical problems from initial requirements verification through rapid prototyping, integrated test, and operational deployment.
You’ll work within a team of other Engineers and Mission Managers, on the same program and across related efforts, to ensure total alignment of your work. You will also work closely with disciplines across SpaceX—such as software, flight reliability and payload integration—to ensure safe and successful mission completion.
Responsibilities
Serve as the customer interface at meetings, tests, and reviews to develop operations plans, design missions, and participate in real world operations.
Ensure contract deliverables are completed on time and distill customer requirements into actionable development objectives.
Work with internal and external stakeholders to drive development and collaborate with subsystem representatives across team boundaries to consider all necessary trades and ensure end‑to‑end mission success.
Support all phases of the program from development, initial proposal, through successful test, flight, and on‑orbit commissioning, including educating the customer on our designs and methodologies.
Own ground segment architecture design.
Basic Qualifications
1+ year of software engineering or electrical engineering experience, working hands‑on with hardware or software technical projects.
Preferred Skills and Experience
Familiarity with USG intelligence processes and systems.
Experience integrating with GENAI and traditional machine learning techniques.
Ability to work under pressure and deliver reliable results across multiple parallel priorities.
Highly detail oriented, hardworking, and professional with excellent written and verbal technical communication skills.
Spacecraft mission design, development, integration, and/or test experience.
Strong penchant for innovation in process improvement and system design.
Additional Requirements
This position requires successfully obtaining and maintaining a Top Secret Security Clearance as a condition of employment. Your ability to secure the necessary clearance is essential for fulfilling key responsibilities.
Must be available to work extended hours and/or weekends and willing to travel to other SpaceX offices, customer locations, and remote ground sites.
Ability to pass Air Force background checks for Cape Canaveral and Vandenberg.
Compensation and Benefits
Pay Range:
Mission Integration Engineer – Level I: $100,000 – $115,000 per year
Mission Integration Engineer – Level II: $110,000 – $135,000 per year
Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case‑by‑case basis and may vary based on job‑related knowledge, skills, education, and experience. Those with an active clearance will receive a 10 % differential, up to an additional $20,000 annually.
Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package. You may also be eligible for long‑term incentives in the form of company stock or cash awards, discretionary bonuses, and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage; a 401(k) retirement plan; short‑ and long‑term disability insurance; life insurance; paid parental leave; and other discounts and perks. You may accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Paid sick leave is provided pursuant to company policy.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
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 those requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process, should reach out to EEOCompliance@spacex.com.
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Hawthorne, CA
About SpaceX
SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is 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.
Position: Forward Deployed Engineer, Mission Systems (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.
As a member of our Mission Management team, you will help tackle new technical problems from initial requirements verification through rapid prototyping, integrated test, and operational deployment.
You’ll work within a team of other Engineers and Mission Managers, on the same program and across related efforts, to ensure total alignment of your work. You will also work closely with disciplines across SpaceX—such as software, flight reliability and payload integration—to ensure safe and successful mission completion.
Responsibilities
Serve as the customer interface at meetings, tests, and reviews to develop operations plans, design missions, and participate in real world operations.
Ensure contract deliverables are completed on time and distill customer requirements into actionable development objectives.
Work with internal and external stakeholders to drive development and collaborate with subsystem representatives across team boundaries to consider all necessary trades and ensure end‑to‑end mission success.
Support all phases of the program from development, initial proposal, through successful test, flight, and on‑orbit commissioning, including educating the customer on our designs and methodologies.
Own ground segment architecture design.
Basic Qualifications
1+ year of software engineering or electrical engineering experience, working hands‑on with hardware or software technical projects.
Preferred Skills and Experience
Familiarity with USG intelligence processes and systems.
Experience integrating with GENAI and traditional machine learning techniques.
Ability to work under pressure and deliver reliable results across multiple parallel priorities.
Highly detail oriented, hardworking, and professional with excellent written and verbal technical communication skills.
Spacecraft mission design, development, integration, and/or test experience.
Strong penchant for innovation in process improvement and system design.
Additional Requirements
This position requires successfully obtaining and maintaining a Top Secret Security Clearance as a condition of employment. Your ability to secure the necessary clearance is essential for fulfilling key responsibilities.
Must be available to work extended hours and/or weekends and willing to travel to other SpaceX offices, customer locations, and remote ground sites.
Ability to pass Air Force background checks for Cape Canaveral and Vandenberg.
Compensation and Benefits
Pay Range:
Mission Integration Engineer – Level I: $100,000 – $115,000 per year
Mission Integration Engineer – Level II: $110,000 – $135,000 per year
Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case‑by‑case basis and may vary based on job‑related knowledge, skills, education, and experience. Those with an active clearance will receive a 10 % differential, up to an additional $20,000 annually.
Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package. You may also be eligible for long‑term incentives in the form of company stock or cash awards, discretionary bonuses, and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage; a 401(k) retirement plan; short‑ and long‑term disability insurance; life insurance; paid parental leave; and other discounts and perks. You may accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Paid sick leave is provided pursuant to company policy.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
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 those requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process, should reach out to EEOCompliance@spacex.com.
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