Mission Integration Engineer, AI (Starshield)

Special Programs leverages technology and launch capability to support national security efforts. Starshield, within Special Programs, is designed for government use, with an initial focus on earth observation, communications, and hosted payloads.

The data applications team is building highly reliable mission-critical AI solutions supporting Starshield use-cases. You will drive the development and enhancement of core applications while collaborating cross-functionally to deliver end-to-end products. Aerospace experience is not required to be successful here—we want our engineers to bring fresh ideas from all areas. We look for engineers who love solving problems and seek to make an impact on an inspiring mission. As we expand this team, we’re looking for versatile, motivated, and collaborative engineers.

Our team is responsible for identifying pain points, scoping product specifications, and designing and building LLM-powered software for government or enterprise use cases. This role will enhance model performance through system prompt tuning or fine-tuning, with an eye toward secure and scalable deployment.

• →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 whether they are in offices or in the field
• →See your software through from start-to-finish: from figuring out the core needs to prototyping, developing, and testing; to production rollout and beyond

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, data science, physics, mathematics, or engineering discipline
• Experience with Javascript libraries such as React, Angular, and/or Redux
• Professional experience developing Python applications

• 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 with 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

• Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed
• Active Top Secret, Top Secret SCI, or DOE Level Q clearance
• 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 testing

• 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.  

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.