Sr. AI Security Software Engineer (Starshield)

SpaceX•Hawthorne, CA

About The Position

As a senior engineer on SpaceX’s newly formed AI security team, you will develop AI-powered automation and platforms for Starshield to identify and fix vulnerabilities, perform real-time detection and investigation, and defend networks. The team uses AI to accelerate development and deployment while ensuring that its security tools are highly trusted and secure. Prior security engineering experience is preferred but not required; candidates should have experience or strong enthusiasm for AI, agent engineering, robust software system design, and network and systems security. This position requires successfully obtaining and maintaining a Top Secret Security Clearance as a condition of employment. The clearance may not be immediately necessary upon hire, but SpaceX encourages candidates to initiate the application process promptly after accepting an offer. Inability to obtain the clearance may result in modified or terminated employment to meet operational needs. Applicants must also meet U.S. Government export-regulation eligibility requirements or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in computer science or another STEM discipline and at least 5 years of professional software development experience; or at least 7 years of professional security software development experience in lieu of a degree.
Experience with one or more software development languages, such as Python, C++, or Golang.
Willingness to work extended hours and weekends as needed.
Ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret Security Clearance as a condition of employment.
Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. lawful permanent resident, refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or eligible to obtain required U.S. Department of State authorizations.

Nice To Haves

Experience designing and building production software across the stack, including backend services, data models and migrations, and modern web frontends.
Experience taking software from prototype to production, including containerized deployment on Kubernetes, CI pipelines, monitoring, and secure connections between services.
Experience designing, prompting, and securing agents that perform long-running autonomous tasks.
Experience applying AI or machine-learning approaches to classification and decision problems, such as identifying malicious activity or malicious inputs to an agent.
Experience designing AI systems that learn and improve over time.
Experience in fundamental security engineering areas, including identity, cryptography, network security, operating system security, detection, and monitoring.
Flexibility, clear communication, and ability to establish and maintain productive working relationships with other engineering teams.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Active Top Secret, Top Secret SCI, or DOE Level Q clearance.

Responsibilities

Design and build security-critical agents for Starshield that automate network and systems defense.
Use AI to discover and fix security issues in Starshield infrastructure and systems.
Guide and test AI integrations into new and existing Starshield systems.
Identify areas where automation and AI can meaningfully improve program security.
Maintain existing production systems and improve security posture through direct implementation and recommendations to other teams.

Benefits

Potential eligibility for long-term incentives in the form of company stock or long-term cash awards.
Potential discretionary bonuses.
Ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
Comprehensive medical coverage.
Vision coverage.
Dental coverage.
401(k) retirement plan.
Short- and long-term disability insurance.
Life insurance.
Paid parental leave.
Various other discounts and perks.
May accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation.
Eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year.
Paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy.
Active-clearance differential of 10%, up to an additional $20,000 annually, once officially briefed into a classified program.