Sr. Mission Integration Engineer, AI (Starshield) Verified today
SpaceX Special Programs leverages technology and launch capability to support national security. Starshield, within Special Programs, is designed for government use with initial focus on earth observation, communications, and hosted payloads.
The data applications team builds mission-critical AI solutions for Starshield use cases. You will drive development and enhancement of core applications while collaborating cross-functionally to deliver end-to-end products. You will identify pain points, scope product specifications, and design and build LLM-powered software for government or enterprise use cases. This role will enhance model performance through system prompt tuning or fine-tuning, with focus on secure and scalable deployment.
Responsibilities
- Develop full-stack solutions to manage scalable AI content interaction systems with user applications
- Develop prototypes to prove key design concepts and quantify technical constraints
- Apply creativity to build an immersive earth observation experience for users in offices or in the field
- See your software through from start-to-finish: from core needs to prototyping, developing, testing, production rollout and beyond
Basic Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in computer science, data science, physics, mathematics, or engineering discipline
- 5+ years experience developing Python applications
Preferred Skills and Experience
- Professional experience developing web services and distributed applications across cloud and on-premise networks
- Professional experience developing within Linux server environments, SSH, scripting, and configuration
- Experience with Kubernetes or similar container orchestration frameworks
- Experience with Model Context Protocol or large model content interaction systems
- Experience developing RAG pipelines, tool callers, and AI orchestration systems
- Experience with vector databases or implementing highly performant databases
- Experience with image data processing and machine learning
- Experience with graphics-intensive web application development
Additional Requirements
- Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed
- Active Top Secret, Top Secret SCI, or DOE Level Q clearance required
- If working on sensitive SpaceX missions, subject to pre-employment drug and random drug and alcohol testing
Compensation and Benefits
Base salary: $130,000 - $180,000 per year. Actual level and base salary determined case-by-case based on job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience. Those with active clearance receive 10% differential, up to an additional $20,000 annually, once officially briefed into classified program.
Additional compensation includes long-term incentives (company stock, stock options, or long-term cash awards), discretionary bonuses, and Employee Stock Purchase Plan discount eligibility. Benefits include comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, 401(k) retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, 3 weeks paid vacation, 10+ paid holidays per year, paid sick leave, and various other discounts and perks.
US Person Requirement
To conform to U.S. Government export regulations (ITAR), applicant must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), Refugee under 8 U.S.C. 1157, or Asylee under 8 U.S.C. 1158, or be eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.