Jobs Companies SpaceX Software Engineer, Simulations (Vehicle Engineering)

About this Software Engineer, Simulations (Vehicle Engineering) role at SpaceX

SpaceX · Onsite · Hawthorne, CA

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, SIMULATIONS (VEHICLE ENGINEERING)

As a Software Engineer on the Simulations team, you will design, develop, and test our in-house simulation software supporting all SpaceX flight systems. You will program the core simulation infrastructure and collaborate on the building of models of fluids, electronics, and multi-body physics systems. This is a high impact role where you will work across the engineering groups to build high fidelity simulations used to develop cutting-edge software and hardware. Our simulation software is critical to current and future mission successes including Falcon, Falcon Heavy, Dragon, Starlink, and Starship. SpaceX is looking for smart, motivated software engineers who enjoy taking on complex challenges, work well in dynamic environments and care about software best practices.

Help us build world class software that is critical to SpaceX mission to Mars.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Develop and maintain the high-fidelity real-time simulation software used for all vehicles
  • Develop prototypes to prove out key design concepts and quantify technical constraints
  • Maintain the highest standards of excellence, never settle for the status quo
  • Improve reliability and performance of simulation software
  • Work with simulation software users to develop new features and improve user experiences

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, math, or STEM discipline; OR 2+ years of professional experience in software development in lieu of a degree 
  • 1+ years development experience in C++

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

  • Strong software design and development skills in C++
  • Understanding of distributed computing systems, networking protocols, memory management, and CPU scheduling
  • Thorough knowledge of classical physics and math (algebra, calculus, Euclidean geometry)
  • Strong skills in debugging, performance optimization and unit testing
  • Creative approach to problem solving
  • Experience with open source C++ simulators such as ROS2 and Gazebo
  • Ability to work effectively in a dynamic environment with changing needs and requirements
  • Ability to work independently and in a team, take initiative, and communicate effectively

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

  • Willing to work extended hours and weekends when needed
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay Range:
Level 1: $125,000.00 - $160,000.00
Level 2: $145,000.00 - $195,000.00

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 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 SpaceX’s Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to [email protected]

Ready to apply to SpaceX?
Apply to SpaceX

How this Software Engineer salary compares

This role pays $142,500/yrin line with the typical range for Software Engineer roles.

$105,560 median $142,500 $215,000

Typical range $137,500–$197,500/yr, from 114 comparable Software Engineer listings on JobsRadar (pay annualized to USD). See Software Engineer salary insights →

Similar jobs

SpaceX
Full Stack Engineer, Launch Software
SpaceX
⚡ Apply early Hawthorne, CA Onsite $125,000–$160,000
● New 👁 Seen ✓ Applied 14h ago
SpaceX
Software Engineer, C++ (Simulations)
SpaceX
⚡ Apply early Hawthorne, CA Onsite $125,000–$160,000
● New 👁 Seen ✓ Applied 16h ago
SpaceX
Simulation Software Engineer (Vehicle Engineering)
SpaceX
⚡ Apply early Hawthorne, CA Onsite $125,000–$160,000
● New 👁 Seen ✓ Applied 16h ago
Vast
Senior CNC Programmer
Vast
⚡ Apply early Hawthorne, California, United... Onsite $91,520–$131,040
● New 👁 Seen ✓ Applied 16h ago
Moneyfarm
Senior Software Engineer - Backend
Moneyfarm
⚡ Apply early Milan, Metropolitan City of Mi... Onsite €48,000–€68,000
● New 👁 Seen ✓ Applied 5h ago
Moneyfarm
Senior Software Engineer - Frontend
Moneyfarm
⚡ Apply early Milan, Metropolitan City of Mi... Onsite €48,000–€68,000
● New 👁 Seen ✓ Applied 5h ago
Moneyfarm
Software Engineer II - Backend
Moneyfarm
⚡ Apply early Milan, Metropolitan City of Mi... Onsite €38,000–€48,000
● New 👁 Seen ✓ Applied 5h ago
Pinewood.AI
Senior Software Developer - C#/.Net - Fort Lauderdale, Florida / Fully Remote
Pinewood.AI
⚡ Apply early Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Unit... · location restricted
● New 👁 Seen ✓ Applied 5h ago
Pinewood.AI
Senior Software Developer - C#/.NET - London, Hybrid or remote
Pinewood.AI
⚡ Apply early London, England, United Kingdo... · location restricted
● New 👁 Seen ✓ Applied 5h ago

Sign up for suggestions tailored to the jobs you open and the searches you save.

More jobs at SpaceX

See all jobs at SpaceX →

Apply now
🤖

Whoa — hold up

JobsRadar was built for real people having a rough time in their job search — not for automated requests. You're clicking way too fast and you're now temporarily blocked.

Come back later. If you're genuinely job hunting, we've got your back — just act like a human.

Catch your next role the second it’s posted.

Create a free account and we’ll watch the boards for you — the instant a job matches your search, it lands in your inbox or Telegram. No digging, no refreshing.

Create free account

Free forever · takes 30 seconds · already have one?

Get an edge on your job hunt.

Join our Telegram channel for the stuff that helps you land the role — salary benchmarks, the weekly market pulse, and new-feature drops. No spam, just signal.

Join the channel — it's free