{"schemaVersion":"jobsearcher.job.v1","id":"7cf87069f1ac2da8ca7842db","url":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/7cf87069f1ac2da8ca7842db","canonicalUrl":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/7cf87069f1ac2da8ca7842db","title":"AI Engineer, Special Programs","description":"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.\r\nAI ENGINEER, SPECIAL PROGRAMS\r\nThis team focuses on engineering and deploying AI capabilities (models, APIs, tools, and integrations) for U.S. federal agencies. You'll work closely with product, research, infrastructure, and legal/governance teams to make AI and future models maximally useful for missions while upholding safety, transparency, and ethical standards.\r\nRESPONSIBILITIES\r\n\r\nDesign, build, and optimize integrations between AI frontier models (e.g., Grok family) and government systems, platforms, and data environments\r\nCollaborate on custom SDKs, APIs, developer tools, and documentation tailored for government and enterprise developers\r\nPartner with agency stakeholders to understand requirements, prototype solutions, and iterate rapidly based on real-world feedback\r\nShip production-grade code and features with a bias toward speed, simplicity, and measurable impact\r\n\r\nBASIC QUALIFICATIONS\r\n\r\nBachelor's degree in computer science or another STEM discipline; OR 2+ years of professional experience in software development in lieu of a degree\r\n\r\nPREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE\r\n\r\n1+ years of hands-on software engineering experience building scalable systems, APIs, or AI/ML applications (strong Python proficiency, other languages a plus)\r\nExperience working with large language models, generative AI, or agentic systems-either in research, production, or applied engineering\r\nFamiliarity with government or public sector technology environments (federal civilian agencies, state/local gov, or regulated industries like healthcare, finance, or infrastructure)\r\nStrong product sensibility: ability to translate ambiguous stakeholder needs into concrete technical solutions\r\nDemonstrated ability to write clean, maintainable, high-performance code under tight timelines\r\nExceptional problem-solving skills and intellectual curiosity-you thrive on hard, ambiguous challenges\r\nExcellent communication skills; you can explain complex technical concepts to non-technical partners clearly and concisely\r\nPrior work on AI safety, governance, red-teaming, or responsible AI deployment\r\nExperience with cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure), containerization (Docker/Kubernetes), or API orchestration\r\nBackground in policy-adjacent technical roles, civic tech, or public-interest technology\r\nContributions to open-source AI projects or developer tools\r\n\r\nADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS\r\n\r\nMust be willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed\r\n20% travel may be required to government sites\r\nThis position requires successfully obtaining and maintaining a Top Secret Security Clearance as a condition of employment. While the clearance may not be immediately necessary upon hire, we encourage you to initiate the application process promptly upon accepting this offer. Your ability to secure the necessary clearance is essential for fulfilling key responsibilities of the role. Should you be unable to obtain it, SpaceX reserves the right to modify or terminate your employment to align with operational needs.\r\n\r\nCOMPENSATION AND BENEFITS\r\nPay range\r\nAI Engineer: $125,000.00 - $220,000.00/per year\r\nYour 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.\r\nBase 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, stock options, 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.\r\nITAR REQUIREMENTS\r\n\r\nTo 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.\r\n\r\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.\r\nApplicants 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 EEOCompliance@spacex.com.\r\nCreate a Job Alert\r\nInterested in building your career at SpaceX? Get future opportunities sent straight to your email.\r\nCreate alert\r\nApply for this job\r\n\r\nindicates a required field\r\n\r\nAutofill with MyGreenhouse","company":"Space Exploration Technologies","rawCompany":"space exploration technologies","city":"Washington","state":"DC","isRemote":false,"isActive":false,"createdAt":"2026-06-11T14:23:45.142Z","occupations":[{"code":"15-1252.00","title":"Software Developers","slug":"software-developers"},{"code":"15-1221.00","title":"Computer and Information Research Scientists","slug":"computer-and-information-research-scientists"},{"code":"15-1299.08","title":"Computer Systems Engineers/Architects","slug":"computer-systems-engineers-architects"}],"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":"541511","title":"Custom Computer Programming Services","slug":"custom-computer-programming-services"}],"jobPosting":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"JobPosting","title":"AI Engineer, Special Programs","description":"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.\r\nAI ENGINEER, SPECIAL PROGRAMS\r\nThis team focuses on engineering and deploying AI capabilities (models, APIs, tools, and integrations) for U.S. federal agencies. You'll work closely with product, research, infrastructure, and legal/governance teams to make AI and future models maximally useful for missions while upholding safety, transparency, and ethical standards.\r\nRESPONSIBILITIES\r\n\r\nDesign, build, and optimize integrations between AI frontier models (e.g., Grok family) and government systems, platforms, and data environments\r\nCollaborate on custom SDKs, APIs, developer tools, and documentation tailored for government and enterprise developers\r\nPartner with agency stakeholders to understand requirements, prototype solutions, and iterate rapidly based on real-world feedback\r\nShip production-grade code and features with a bias toward speed, simplicity, and measurable impact\r\n\r\nBASIC QUALIFICATIONS\r\n\r\nBachelor's degree in computer science or another STEM discipline; OR 2+ years of professional experience in software development in lieu of a degree\r\n\r\nPREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE\r\n\r\n1+ years of hands-on software engineering experience building scalable systems, APIs, or AI/ML applications (strong Python proficiency, other languages a plus)\r\nExperience working with large language models, generative AI, or agentic systems-either in research, production, or applied engineering\r\nFamiliarity with government or public sector technology environments (federal civilian agencies, state/local gov, or regulated industries like healthcare, finance, or infrastructure)\r\nStrong product sensibility: ability to translate ambiguous stakeholder needs into concrete technical solutions\r\nDemonstrated ability to write clean, maintainable, high-performance code under tight timelines\r\nExceptional problem-solving skills and intellectual curiosity-you thrive on hard, ambiguous challenges\r\nExcellent communication skills; you can explain complex technical concepts to non-technical partners clearly and concisely\r\nPrior work on AI safety, governance, red-teaming, or responsible AI deployment\r\nExperience with cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure), containerization (Docker/Kubernetes), or API orchestration\r\nBackground in policy-adjacent technical roles, civic tech, or public-interest technology\r\nContributions to open-source AI projects or developer tools\r\n\r\nADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS\r\n\r\nMust be willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed\r\n20% travel may be required to government sites\r\nThis position requires successfully obtaining and maintaining a Top Secret Security Clearance as a condition of employment. While the clearance may not be immediately necessary upon hire, we encourage you to initiate the application process promptly upon accepting this offer. Your ability to secure the necessary clearance is essential for fulfilling key responsibilities of the role. Should you be unable to obtain it, SpaceX reserves the right to modify or terminate your employment to align with operational needs.\r\n\r\nCOMPENSATION AND BENEFITS\r\nPay range\r\nAI Engineer: $125,000.00 - $220,000.00/per year\r\nYour 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.\r\nBase 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, stock options, 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.\r\nITAR REQUIREMENTS\r\n\r\nTo 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.\r\n\r\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.\r\nApplicants 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 EEOCompliance@spacex.com.\r\nCreate a Job Alert\r\nInterested in building your career at SpaceX? Get future opportunities sent straight to your email.\r\nCreate alert\r\nApply for this job\r\n\r\nindicates a required field\r\n\r\nAutofill with MyGreenhouse","datePosted":"2026-06-11T14:23:45.142Z","dateModified":"2026-06-11T14:23:45.142Z","hiringOrganization":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Space Exploration Technologies","sameAs":"https://jobsearcher.com"},"jobLocation":{"@type":"Place","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","addressLocality":"Washington","addressRegion":"DC","addressCountry":"US"}},"identifier":{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"JobSearcher","value":"7cf87069f1ac2da8ca7842db"},"url":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/7cf87069f1ac2da8ca7842db"}}