Software Engineer, Flight Software (Starship)

SpaceX · Cape Canaveral, FL

Posted Nov 6, 2026

Est. total comp~$201K–$317K

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From the posting

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.

SOFTWARE ENGINEER, FLIGHT SOFTWARE (STARSHIP)

SpaceX's Starship spacecraft and Super Heavy rocket (collectively referred to as Starship) represent a fully reusable transportation system designed to carry both crew and cargo to Earth orbit, the Moon, Mars and beyond. Starship will be the world's most powerful launch vehicle ever developed, with the ability to carry in excess of 100 metric tons to Earth orbit.

As a Software Engineer on the Starship software team, you will design, develop, and test software that is used to both control and simulate SpaceX flight systems. You will engage with other SpaceX software and hardware engineers to implement and debug software at all layers of our stack – application, operating system, networking, firmware, simulation – to achieve the mission.

Aerospace experience is not required to be successful here - rather we look for smart, motivated, collaborative engineers who love solving problems and want to make an impact on a super inspiring mission.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Develop highly reliable autonomous software systems and the simulations required to validate them …

Excerpt from SpaceX's public job board. Read the full posting.

Job inventory

Required 3 items

Education: Bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, computer engineering, electrical engineering or a related field (or 4+ years of related experience)

Experience: 2+ years of experience in software development

Clearance and work authorization: US person (ITAR)

Preferred 3 items

Skills and tools: C++, Rust, Embedded

Also in the posting: Willing to work long hours and weekends as needed

Get ready for this role

Crew department: Systems

Skills this kind of role usually asks for:

Python and C++
Networking
Linux and cloud basics
Cybersecurity basics
RF and antennas basics

Train for it: the Systems Track: Spacecraft Links and Flight Software Basics. 4 short modules, a quiz after each one and a final test. Pass it and you get the Mars Mining Certificate in Spacecraft Links and Flight Software, with its own public page you can link from your resume.

Join the crew and train for this role About Systems

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I can do Python and C++ on the job, or have used it in a class or project I can do Networking on the job, or have used it in a class or project I can do Linux and cloud basics on the job, or have used it in a class or project I can do Cybersecurity basics on the job, or have used it in a class or project I can do RF and antennas basics on the job, or have used it in a class or project I have a project or work sample I could show an interviewer My resume is tailored to this kind of role I've practiced answering interview questions for this kind of job

Free. The department comes from the job title and can be off. A Mars Mining certificate shows you studied and passed our test; it isn't a license or academic credit.

About this listing. Pulled automatically from SpaceX's public job board and refreshed daily; closed roles are removed. Mars Mining Co. is not the employer, does not take applications and does not screen candidates. Field and level labels come from the job title and can be wrong.

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