Software Engineer (AI Data Engineering)
About this role
The AI Data Engineering team at SpaceX builds AI-driven tools that accelerate engineers across the company, giving them more time to decide whether Starship is ready for launch or a Starlink satellite can leave the factory. Developers on this group focus on turning vast amounts of flight, test, and hardware data into actionable insights through automation tools, data pipelines, and user-facing applications.
This position exists to solve hard production problems alongside domain experts in areas like avionics, propulsion, and guidance, navigation, and control. Ideal candidates are collaborative engineers who treat teammates with respect while taking full ownership of software systems from design to deployment.
What you will do
- Develop reliable, scalable data analysis libraries, pipelines, and services using vehicle telemetry and test data.
- Build and improve user-facing analysis applications that internal engineering teams rely on daily.
- Prototype quickly using notebooks, reports, agents, computer vision, or APIs, and productionize successful iterations.
- Own software lifecycles entirely, spanning from initial design through testing, deployment, and operation.
- Collaborate closely with domain experts across avionics, GNC, propulsion, structures, and launch operations.
What you need
- Hold a bachelor's degree in computer science, data science, engineering, math, physics, or another scientific discipline, or have at least two years of professional software building experience in lieu of a degree.
- Bring a minimum of one year of hands-on experience in software engineering, data engineering, or data science.
- Be willing to work in person at the Hawthorne, California facility on a primarily on-site schedule.
- Accept the requirement to work extended hours and weekends when project demands require it.
- Demonstrate willingness to travel when necessary for company operations.
- Meet U.S. Government export regulations under ITAR as a citizen, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee.
Nice to have
- Programming experience in Python or C#
- Experience with data analysis libraries such as pandas, NumPy, and SciPy
- Experience with machine learning frameworks like PyTorch or TensorFlow
- Familiarity with relational databases including PostgreSQL
- Experience applying computer vision to production video or image review
Benefits
- Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage
- Access to a 401(k) retirement plan
- Short and long-term disability insurance and life insurance
- Paid parental leave and paid sick leave
- Accrual of 3 weeks of paid vacation and 10 or more paid holidays per year
- Eligibility for company stock, long-term cash awards, discretionary bonuses, and an Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Skills and tech stack
Questions candidates ask
What is the remote work policy for this role?
The position is based in Hawthorne, California, and is primarily on-site. Candidates must be willing to work from this location.
What is the compensation range for this position?
The base pay range for Level 1 is $125,000.00 to $160,000.00, and Level 2 ranges from $145,000.00 to $195,000.00. The actual level and base salary are determined on a case-by-case basis.
Are there work hour expectations beyond standard schedules?
Employees in this role must be willing to work extended hours and weekends when needed. Travel is also required on an as-needed basis.
What are the citizenship or residency requirements to apply?
Applicants must conform to U.S. Government export regulations under ITAR. This means being a U.S. citizen or national, lawful permanent resident, refugee, asylee, or eligible to obtain required authorizations.