---
title: 'Mission Integration Engineer, C3 - Top Secret Clearance at SpaceX'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/mission-integration-engineer-c3-top-secret-clearance-spacex-hawthorne-ecgvwa0snyjm'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-15'
---

# Mission Integration Engineer, C3 - Top Secret Clearance at SpaceX

- **Company:** SpaceX
- **Location:** Hawthorne, CA
- **Posted:** 2026-03-23
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-15
- **Apply:** https://boards.greenhouse.io/spacex/jobs/8468689002?gh_jid=8468689002

## Job 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.

## MISSION INTEGRATION ENGINEER  – TOP SECRET CLEARANCE

As a member of our Mission Management team, you will help tackle new technical problems from initial proposal development and customer requirements verification, through rapid prototyping, integrated test, and operational deployment. You will also work closely with technical disciplines across SpaceX, such as vehicle engineering, software, flight reliability, space operations, information technology, and network engineering to ensure safe and successful mission completion.

You will be empowered to develop next-generation space command, control, and communications architectures. You will communicate complex technical systems to high-value stakeholders and customers; and be empowered to work alongside engineering teams to identify, own, and drive technical trades critical to implementation. You will contribute directly to the performance and execution of special programs missions with an emphasis on both space and ground command, control, and communications (C3) segments that drive, manage, and provide user insight into mission execution. Based on customer requirements and SpaceX’s system capabilities, you’ll develop system specifications and interface control documentation. This work covers a number of technical disciplines: spacecraft command and control, RF communications, operational planning, data processing, network engineering, software engineering, and product security. The ideal candidate is a self-starter who is hungry to do work that matters, and is a quick-learner.

## RESPONSIBILITIES

- Serve as the customer interface at meetings, tests, and reviews to develop operations plans, design C3 infrastructure, and articulate and drive critical C3 trades
- Ensure contract deliverables are completed on-time and distill customer requirements into actionable development objectives
- Work with internal and external stakeholders to drive development
- Collaborate with subsystem representative across organizations and technical teams to consider all necessary trades and ensure end-to-end test execution and mission success
- Support all phases of the program from development, initial proposal, through successful test, flight, and on-orbit mission execution, including educating customers on our design and methodologies
- Own the interface between flight and ground segment network architecture design, working to consider flight/ground software interfaces, communications architecture, network engineering, product security, and data transport
- Develop subject matter expertise and clearly communicate technical concepts to a wide audience

## BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

- Bachelor’s degree in an engineering or STEM discipline
- 1+ years of experience working in the aerospace industry
- 1+ years of software engineering or electrical engineering experience, working with hardware or software technical projects
- Active Top Secret, Top Secret SCI, or DOE Level Q clearance

## PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

- Master’s degree in an engineering discipline
- Previous experience with spacecraft, aircraft, or launch vehicle engineering or operations
- Familiarity with USG processes and systems
- Previous experience with spacecraft, aircraft, launch vehicle ground segment networks
- Previous experience with RF communications architectures
- 1+ years of technical project management or systems engineering experience
- Excellent organizational and interpersonal sills
- Excellent verbal and written technical communication skills
- Capacity to balance conflicting opinions and manage expectations between multiple teams and customers
- Able to quickly adapt and change course in a fast-paced environment
- Demonstrated ability to work under pressure and deliver results across multiple parallel priorities
- Strong penchant for innovation in process improvement and system design

## ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

- This 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.
- Note that an active clearance may provide the opportunity for you to work on sensitive SpaceX missions; if so, you will be subject to pre-employment drug and random drug and alcohol test
- Must be willing to travel (approximately 10%) to other SpaceX locations, as necessary
- Able to work extended hours and weekends when necessary to support proposal or critical project timelines

## COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay Range: Mission Integration Engineer/Level I: $100,000.00 - $117,500.00/per year. Mission Integration Engineer/Level II: $115,000.00 - $140,000.00/per year.

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. Those with an active clearance will receive a 10% differential, up to an additional $20,000 annually, once officially briefed into a classified program.

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, 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.

## 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](https://www.pmddtc.state.gov/?id=ddtc_kb_article_page&sys_id=24d528fddbfc930044f9ff621f961987).

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 EEOCompliance@spacex.com.

## About SpaceX

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: SpaceX designs, manufactures, and launches advanced rockets and spacecraft while building a global satellite broadband network and AI infrastructure to enable interplanetary life.
- **Entity Type**: Public (Nasdaq: SPCX) – IPO priced at $135/share on June 12, 2026
- **Headquarters**: Starbase, Texas (primary); Hawthorne, California (historical headquarters)
- **Founded**: 2002
- **Founders**: Elon Musk

## Core Business
- **Industries**: Aerospace & Defense, Spaceflight, Satellite Telecommunications, Artificial Intelligence
- **Target Customers**: Government (NASA, U.S. Armed Forces, international agencies), Commercial satellite operators, Broadband consumers (Starlink), Defense/intelligence (Starshield)
- **Mission**: To make humanity multiplanetary by building the integrated hardware and software infrastructure of the future across space, connectivity, and AI.

## Products & Services
- **Falcon 9**: Reusable two-stage rocket – the world’s most launched orbital rocket, with over 630 successful first-stage reflights.
- **Falcon Heavy**: Heavy-lift launch vehicle composed of three Falcon 9 cores; capable of lifting nearly 64 metric tons to orbit.
- **Starship**: Fully reusable super-heavy launch vehicle and spacecraft (largest ever built) designed for missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.
- **Dragon 2**: Crew and cargo spacecraft used for NASA Commercial Crew and private missions to the ISS and beyond.
- **Starlink**: Low-Earth-orbit satellite constellation providing high-speed, low-latency broadband internet to over 10.3 million people globally.
- **Starshield**: Military-grade satellite services for national security and defense customers.
- **SpaceXAI**: Division focused on AI compute infrastructure, frontier models, and real-time data processing (including AI compute satellites).

## Market Standing
- **Valuation**: Conflicting reports – Internal share offer in 2025 valued SpaceX at **$800 billion**; IPO pricing (June 2026) implied a market capitalization of approximately **$75 billion** for the shares offered.
- **Key Metric**: Annual revenue of **$15.0 billion** (2025); total funding raised **$15.2 billion** across 56 rounds.
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Google (led $1B Series G), Intesa Sanpaolo, NASA, U.S. Space Force, and numerous institutional investors.
- **Growth Signals**: Employee headcount of **11,387** (monthly growth +2.5%); **1,671 active job postings**; Falcon 9 launch cadence of 1–3 per week; Starlink subscriber base covering ~10.3 million people; recent acquisition of xAI (February 2026).

## Competitive Advantages
- **Full reusability**: Only company with a fleet of reusable orbital rockets (Falcon 9, Falcon Heavy), dramatically lowering per-launch cost.
- **Vertical integration**: Designs, manufactures, and operates its own rockets, spacecraft, satellite constellation, and AI platform – enabling rapid iteration and cost control.
- **Scale and reliability**: More orbital launches per year than any other provider (public or private); proven track record with NASA and DoD.
- **First-mover in commercial spaceflight**: Established crew transport, satellite internet, and now AI compute in orbit.

## Strategic Focus
- **Starship development**: Complete testing and operational deployment of the fully reusable Starship system for lunar (Artemis) and Mars missions.
- **Starlink expansion**: Grow subscriber base, launch V3 satellites, and extend mobile and direct-to-cell services.
- **AI integration**: Leverage SpaceXAI for on-orbit compute and real-time data analytics; build AI compute satellites.
- **Interplanetary infrastructure**: Develop technologies for sustained human presence on the Moon and Mars.

## Why Work Here
- **Mission-driven culture**: Employees directly contribute to making life multiplanetary – “hard work and innovative solutions result in big gains.”
- **Impactful projects**: Work on reusable rockets, crewed spacecraft, global broadband, and AI systems that are actively changing the space industry.
- **Compensation**: Competitive salaries, comprehensive health benefits, and equity packages.
- **Work locations**: Primary campuses in Hawthorne, CA and Starbase, TX (with additional sites in Cape Canaveral, FL and Vandenberg, CA). Roles span engineering, software, manufacturing, and support.
- **Engineering culture**: Merit-based, fast-paced, with high ownership; top talent sourced from Tesla, Boeing, NASA JPL, and other aerospace leaders.
- **Open roles**: Over 1,600 active positions across software, AI, avionics, propulsion, supply chain, and more – including internships.

## Sources
1. [SpaceX Careers Page](https://www.spacex.com/careers)
2. [LinkedIn – SpaceX Company Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/company/spacex)
3. [SpaceX IPO Factsheet (PDF)](https://content.spacex.com/cms-assets/FINAL_Documents%20and%20Updates/SpaceX%20IPO_Factsheet.pdf)
4. [SpaceX IPO Pricing Press Release](https://ir.spacex.com/updates/releases-details/2026/Space-Exploration-Technologies-Corp--Announces-Pricing-of-Initial-Public-Offering/default.aspx)
5. [SpaceX Jobs Board (Greenhouse)](https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/spacex)

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