---
title: 'Software Engineer, C++ Simulations (Starlink) at SpaceX'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/software-engineer-c-simulations-starlink-spacex-redmond-6yjdptnwsfwa'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-11-03'
---

# Software Engineer, C++ Simulations (Starlink) at SpaceX

- **Company:** SpaceX
- **Location:** Redmond, WA
- **Posted:** 2026-08-05
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-11-03
- **Apply:** https://boards.greenhouse.io/spacex/jobs/8682197002?gh_jid=8682197002

## 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.

## SOFTWARE ENGINEER, C++ SIMULATIONS (STARLINK)

As a C++ Simulation Software Engineer on the Starlink GNC team, you will take a leading role in architecting, refactoring, redesigning, and building high-performance C++ core infrastructure for our in-house vehicle dynamics simulator and additional simulation environments. This includes dispersed Monte Carlo simulations, hardware-in-the-loop (HITL) setups, testing frameworks, support tooling, and GNC-specific data visualization. You will own the design and evolution of the simulation backbone—driving major refactors and new designs that scale performance and capability with our growing constellation—while collaborating on high-fidelity multi-body physics models, environmental perturbations, and vehicle power/propulsion/control hardware representations.

This is a high-impact opportunity for expert C++ engineers who thrive on complex, performance-critical systems (think game engine-level simulation and high-performance computing challenges applied to real spacecraft). You will work across engineering groups to deliver the high-fidelity simulations that enable cutting-edge software and hardware development. SpaceX seeks motivated C++ specialists who love tackling hard technical problems, excel in dynamic environments, and prioritize clean, efficient, maintainable code and software best practices.

## RESPONSIBILITIES:

- Lead the design, major refactors, redesigns, and ongoing evolution of the core C++ vehicle dynamics simulator and associated testing/support infrastructure for Starlink, ensuring it scales in performance and capability with the constellation.
- Architect and improve high-performance C++ Monte Carlo simulation infrastructure, including parallelization, dispersion handling, and reliability for large-scale runs.
- Drive development of new simulation features, models, and tooling in collaboration with users—focusing on performance, usability, and extensibility of the C++ core.
- Own performance optimization, profiling, continuous integration, unit/integration testing, and reliability improvements across the simulation stack.
- Design and implement new testing frameworks, support infrastructure, and visualization components to accelerate GNC development.
- Collaborate cross-functionally to accurately model multi-body physics, environmental effects, and hardware behaviors while maintaining rigorous software quality.

## BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

- Bachelor’s degree in a STEM discipline and 1+ years of software development experience; OR 4+ years of professional software development experience in performant C++ OR numerical simulations

## PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

- Expert-level C++ skills focused on writing performant, simple, and safe code: strong command of the language fundamentals, efficient memory management, multi-threading/concurrency, data-oriented design, and careful performance-oriented implementation (favoring straightforward, low-overhead solutions over complex abstractions or heavy STL use when they compromise speed or safety).
- Experience building or optimizing high-performance simulations, physics engines, or real-time systems (e.g., game engines, multi-body dynamics, robotics, or aerospace simulators).
- High-performance computing (HPC) background: parallel computing, multi-threading, profiling/optimization tools, scalable architectures, or related techniques (Monte Carlo, distributed sims, etc.).
- Strong communication skills and the ability to proactively coordinate with partner teams—essential for success in a role that largely serves and collaborates closely with other engineering groups.
- Strong software design and architecture skills, especially for large-scale, maintainable C++ systems; experience leading refactors or redesigns of complex codebases.
- Solid foundation in physics and mathematics (dynamics, numerical methods, etc.).
- Proficiency in debugging, performance profiling, unit testing, and continuous integration for C++ codebases.
- Secondary skills in Python and/or front-end technologies (e.g., JS) for tooling/visualization are a plus.
- Creative problem-solving, ability to work independently or in teams, take initiative, and communicate effectively in a fast-paced, evolving environment.

## ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

- Willing to work extended hours and weekends when needed.

## COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay Range: Level 1: $125,000.00 - $165,000.00 Level 2: $145,000.00 - $200,000.00

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.

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 in Washington State accrue paid sick time in compliance with state and federal law. Company shuttles are offered to employees for roundtrip travel from select Seattle locations to the SpaceX Redmond office Monday to Friday.

## 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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