← Back to results

Sr. Security Software Engineer (Starlink)

Join SpaceX as a Senior Security Software Engineer to enhance the security of Starlink's advanced broadband internet systems.

Location
Palo Alto, CA, United States
Compensation
$180k–$280k/yr
Level
senior
Type
full time

Posted by employer 23 hours ago

First seen on Joblaze 17 hours ago

Last verified on the company career page 17 hours ago

What you'll build

  • Design and build security infrastructure for Starlink
  • Develop security features for Starlink systems
  • Design security into factory processes
  • Maintain existing production systems
  • Build prototypes and test security improvements

Must have

  • Bachelor's degree in computer science or STEM discipline and 5+ years of experience in security software development
  • Experience with one or more software development languages
  • Experience designing and implementing security solutions

Nice to have

  • Experience contributing security improvements to complex systems
  • Experience working with special purpose security hardware
  • Fundamental understanding of network protocols
  • Excellent communication skills
  • Ability to work both independently and in a team

Practical constraints

  • Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed

Requirements

Experience
5+ years
Education
Bachelor's degree
Visa
Sponsorship available

Not disclosed in this posting: work arrangement.

Benefits

401k Match Paid Vacation Equity/Stock Options Paid Holidays Health Insurance Parental Leave

Joblaze summary

In the role of Senior Security Software Engineer for Starlink, the individual will focus on designing and implementing security infrastructure for various systems, including satellites and routers. Key skills include expertise in software development languages like Python and C++, as well as a strong background in network and operating system security. This position is suited for experienced engineers with a solid understanding of security protocols and a collaborative mindset, capable of navigating complex systems. The team is dedicated to enhancing the security of a global internet service, aiming to reach underserved communities.

Joblaze insights

  • Listed today — first seen on Joblaze September 18, 2026. Last confirmed on SpaceX's careers page September 18, 2026.
  • This exact title is also open at 4 other locations at SpaceX: Redmond, WA, United States, Hawthorne, CA, United States, Redmond, WA, Bastrop, TX.
  • Salary band is in line with the typical range for Security roles (median ~$169,000).
  • Starts above 63% of 96 comparable senior security roles in United States that list Python we track (median $170,000 across 40 companies). See Python salary trends
  • Python appears in 41.4% of 304 comparable senior security roles in United States; Vulnerability Research appears in 4.9% of 304 comparable senior security roles in United States.

Quick facts

What's the salary range?
SpaceX lists $180,000–$280,000 for this role.
How much experience is required?
At least 5 years of relevant experience for this Sr. Security Software Engineer (Starlink) role.
What's the tech stack?
Joblaze extracted these technologies from the posting: C++, Cryptography, Golang, Incident Response, Network Security, Operating System Security.
Does SpaceX sponsor work visas for this role?
Yes — the posting indicates visa sponsorship is available for the right candidate.
What seniority level is this role?
SpaceX targets senior candidates for this position.
Is this full-time or contract?
Full-time for this Sr. Security Software Engineer (Starlink) role at SpaceX.

From the original 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.

SR. SOFTWARE SECURITY ENGINEER (STARLINK)

At SpaceX we’re leveraging our experience in building rockets and spacecraft to deploy Starlink, the world’s most advanced broadband internet system. Starlink is the world’s largest satellite constellation and is providing fast, reliable internet to millions of users worldwide. We design, build, test, and operate all parts of the system – thousands of satellites, consumer receivers that allow users to connect within minutes of unboxing, and the software that brings it all together. We’ve only begun to scratch the surface of Starlink’s potential global impact and are looking for best-in-class engineers to help maximize Starlink’s utility for communities and businesses around the globe.

As a Security Software Engineer you will influence the security of software across our product lines. We are looking for people with a track record of shipping reliable software and who have a broad understanding of the security design of today’s Internet, including the cryptographic primitives involved. You see the big picture, prioritize accordingly, and are comfortable with working at different levels of abstraction. Ideally, you have notable skills in one or more of the following:

  • Software engineering
  • Applied cryptography
  • Network security
  • Operating system security
  • Secure/Authenticated boot
  • Incident response and adversary detection
  • Vulnerability research

Being flexible, communicating clearly, and establishing and maintaining productive working relationships with other engineering teams are paramount to success. If you are passionate about building quality products, love the challenges of outsmarting adversaries, and want to make an impact on an inter-planetary scale, then you will fit right in.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Design and build security infrastructure for Starlink, including cryptographic services and other security-critical services
  • Develop security features for Starlink systems, including our router, dish, gateways, and satellites
  • Design security into factory processes and provide network services in support of this
  • Maintain existing production systems and improve security posture via both direct implementation and recommendations to other teams
  • Build prototypes and help identify, design, and test security improvements
  • Further our mission of providing secure and reliable Internet to underserved communities

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Bachelor's degree in computer science or another STEM discipline and 5+ years of professional experience in security software development; OR 7+ years of professional experience in security software development in lieu of a degree
  • Experience with one or more software development languages (i.e. Python, C++, Golang)
  • Experience designing and implementing security solutions for operating systems, distributed systems, or other enterprise/large-scale infrastructure

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

  • Experience contributing security improvements to complex systems
  • Experience working with special purpose security hardware such as Trusted Platform Modules (TPMs) and Hardware Security Modules (HSMs)
  • Fundamental understanding of network protocols; including the TCP/IP stack as well as UDP based protocols
  • Experienced in navigating large, complex, interactive systems
  • Flexibility, communicating clearly, and establishing and maintaining productive working relationships with other engineering teams
  • Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
  • Ability to work both independently and in a team
  • Demonstrated ability to deal with ambiguity and to learn new technologies quickly
  • Advanced degree in a technical or engineering discipline

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

  • Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay Range:
Level 3: $180,000.00 - $280,000.00

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:

Standard company text repeated across SpaceX's postings is omitted here.

Similar positions

SpaceX
SpaceX
Sr. Security Software Engineer (Starlink)
SpaceX · Hawthorne, CA, United States
SpaceX
Sr. Security Software Engineer (Starlink)
SpaceX · Redmond, WA, United States
SpaceX