{"schemaVersion":"jobsearcher.job.v1","id":"48b3f304f64bc3c5bcd9317f","url":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/48b3f304f64bc3c5bcd9317f","canonicalUrl":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/48b3f304f64bc3c5bcd9317f","title":"Forward Deployed Engineer, Mission Systems (Starshield)","description":"Location\nHawthorne, CA\n\nAbout SpaceX\nSpaceX 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.\n\nPosition: Forward Deployed Engineer, Mission Systems (Starshield)\nStarshield 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.\n\nAs 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.\n\nYou’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.\n\nResponsibilities\n\nServe as the customer interface at meetings, tests, and reviews to develop operations plans, design missions, and participate in real world operations.\n\nEnsure contract deliverables are completed on time and distill customer requirements into actionable development objectives.\n\nWork 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.\n\nSupport 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.\n\nOwn ground segment architecture design.\n\nBasic Qualifications\n\n1+ year of software engineering or electrical engineering experience, working hands‑on with hardware or software technical projects.\n\nPreferred Skills and Experience\n\nFamiliarity with USG intelligence processes and systems.\n\nExperience integrating with GENAI and traditional machine learning techniques.\n\nAbility to work under pressure and deliver reliable results across multiple parallel priorities.\n\nHighly detail oriented, hardworking, and professional with excellent written and verbal technical communication skills.\n\nSpacecraft mission design, development, integration, and/or test experience.\n\nStrong penchant for innovation in process improvement and system design.\n\nAdditional Requirements\n\nThis 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.\n\nMust be available to work extended hours and/or weekends and willing to travel to other SpaceX offices, customer locations, and remote ground sites.\n\nAbility to pass Air Force background checks for Cape Canaveral and Vandenberg.\n\nCompensation and Benefits\nPay Range:\nMission Integration Engineer – Level I: $100,000 – $115,000 per year\nMission Integration Engineer – Level II: $110,000 – $135,000 per year\n\nYour 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.\n\nBase 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.\n\nEqual Employment Opportunity Statement\nSpaceX 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.\n\n#J-18808-Ljbffr","company":"Space Exploration Technologies","rawCompany":"space exploration technologies","city":"Hawthorne","state":"CA","isRemote":false,"isActive":false,"createdAt":"2026-06-17T03:38:20.358Z","occupations":[{"code":"17-2011.00","title":"Aerospace Engineers","slug":"aerospace-engineers"},{"code":"15-1252.00","title":"Software Developers","slug":"software-developers"},{"code":"17-2199.00","title":"Engineers, All Other","slug":"engineers-all-other"}],"industries":[{"code":"927110","title":"Space Research and Technology","slug":"space-research-and-technology"},{"code":"336414","title":"Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing","slug":"guided-missile-and-space-vehicle-manufacturing"},{"code":"336419","title":"Other Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing","slug":"other-guided-missile-and-space-vehicle-parts-and-auxiliary-equipment-manufacturing"}],"jobPosting":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"JobPosting","title":"Forward Deployed Engineer, Mission Systems (Starshield)","description":"Location\nHawthorne, CA\n\nAbout SpaceX\nSpaceX 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.\n\nPosition: Forward Deployed Engineer, Mission Systems (Starshield)\nStarshield 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.\n\nAs 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.\n\nYou’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.\n\nResponsibilities\n\nServe as the customer interface at meetings, tests, and reviews to develop operations plans, design missions, and participate in real world operations.\n\nEnsure contract deliverables are completed on time and distill customer requirements into actionable development objectives.\n\nWork 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.\n\nSupport 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.\n\nOwn ground segment architecture design.\n\nBasic Qualifications\n\n1+ year of software engineering or electrical engineering experience, working hands‑on with hardware or software technical projects.\n\nPreferred Skills and Experience\n\nFamiliarity with USG intelligence processes and systems.\n\nExperience integrating with GENAI and traditional machine learning techniques.\n\nAbility to work under pressure and deliver reliable results across multiple parallel priorities.\n\nHighly detail oriented, hardworking, and professional with excellent written and verbal technical communication skills.\n\nSpacecraft mission design, development, integration, and/or test experience.\n\nStrong penchant for innovation in process improvement and system design.\n\nAdditional Requirements\n\nThis 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.\n\nMust be available to work extended hours and/or weekends and willing to travel to other SpaceX offices, customer locations, and remote ground sites.\n\nAbility to pass Air Force background checks for Cape Canaveral and Vandenberg.\n\nCompensation and Benefits\nPay Range:\nMission Integration Engineer – Level I: $100,000 – $115,000 per year\nMission Integration Engineer – Level II: $110,000 – $135,000 per year\n\nYour 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.\n\nBase 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.\n\nEqual Employment Opportunity Statement\nSpaceX 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.\n\n#J-18808-Ljbffr","datePosted":"2026-06-17T03:38:20.358Z","dateModified":"2026-06-17T03:38:20.358Z","hiringOrganization":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Space Exploration Technologies","sameAs":"https://jobsearcher.com"},"jobLocation":{"@type":"Place","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","addressLocality":"Hawthorne","addressRegion":"CA","addressCountry":"US"}},"identifier":{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"JobSearcher","value":"48b3f304f64bc3c5bcd9317f"},"url":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/48b3f304f64bc3c5bcd9317f"}}