Principal Security Software Engineer (Starlink)

SpaceX
Austin, TX
On-site

Who this role is best for

Best suited to experienced security software engineers with a strong background in cryptography and distributed systems, working in the satellite internet domain.

Best fit for

  • Experienced security software engineers with a broad understanding of cryptographic design and large-scale infrastructure
    — “broad understanding of the security design of today’s Internet, including the cryptographic primitives involved
  • Candidates with a track record of shipping reliable software in complex, mission-critical environments
    — “track record of shipping reliable software
  • Individuals comfortable with both high-level design and low-level implementation across multiple security domains
    — “comfortable with working at different levels of abstraction

Things to consider

  • Extended hours and weekend work are expected, which may not align with all work-life balance preferences
    — “Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed
  • U.S. citizenship or residency is mandatory due to ITAR export regulations
    — “applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident

How to stand out

  • Emphasize contributions to security improvements in complex systems on your resume
    — “Experience contributing security improvements to complex systems
  • Demonstrate your ability to design security solutions for distributed or enterprise infrastructure
    — “Experience designing and implementing security solutions for operating systems, distributed systems
  • Highlight work with security hardware like TPMs or HSMs if applicable
    — “Experience working with special purpose security hardware such as Trusted Platform Modules (TPMs)
  • Showcase your understanding of network protocols such as TCP/IP and UDP
    — “Fundamental understanding of network protocols; including the TCP/IP stack as well as UDP based protocols
  • Demonstrate your flexibility and ability to collaborate across engineering teams during interviews
    — “Flexibility, communicating clearly, and establishing and maintaining productive working relationships with other engineering teams
Pace · Fast PacedCollaboration · HighAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · Team

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

  • influence the security of software across product lines
  • design and build security infrastructure for Starlink
  • develop security features for Starlink systems
  • maintain existing production systems and improve security posture
Typical background
bachelor's degree in computer science or another STEM discipline8+ years of professional experience in security software development

Skills & requirements

Required

Software EngineeringApplied CryptographyNetwork SecurityOperating System SecuritySecure/authenticated BootIncident Response And Adversary DetectionVulnerability Research

Preferred

Trusted Platform Modules (tpms)Hardware Security Modules (hsms)Network ProtocolsTcp/ip StackUdp Based Protocols

Stack & domain

PythonC++GoApplied CryptographyNetwork SecurityOperating System SecuritySecure/authenticated BootIncident Response And Adversary DetectionVulnerability ResearchCommunicationLeadershipSecuritySoftware Development

About the role

Original posting from SpaceX via Greenhouse

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.

PRINCIPAL SECURITY SOFTWARE ENGINEER (STARLINK)

At SpaceX we’re leveraging our experience in building rockets and spacecraft to deploy Starlink, the world’s most advanced broadband internet system. Starlink is the world’s largest satellite constellation and is providing fast, reliable internet to millions of users worldwide. We design, build, test, and operate all parts of the system – thousands of satellites, consumer receivers that allow users to connect within minutes of unboxing, and the software that brings it all together. We’ve only begun to scratch the surface of Starlink’s potential global impact and are looking for best-in-class engineers to help maximize Starlink’s utility for communities and businesses around the globe.

As a Security Software Engineer you will influence the security of software across our product lines. We are looking for people with a track record of shipping reliable software and who have a broad understanding of the security design of today’s Internet, including the cryptographic primitives involved. You see the big picture, prioritize accordingly, and are comfortable with working at different levels of abstraction. Ideally, you have notable skills in one or more of the following:

Software engineering

Applied cryptography

Network security

Operating system security

Secure/Authenticated boot

Incident response and adversary detection

Vulnerability research

Being flexible, communicating clearly, and establishing and maintaining productive working relationships with other engineering teams are paramount to success. If you are passionate about building quality products, love the challenges of outsmarting adversaries, and want to make an impact on an inter-planetary scale, then you will fit right in.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Design and build security infrastructure for Starlink, including cryptographic services and other security-critical services

Develop security features for Starlink systems, including our router, dish, gateways, and satellites

Design security into factory processes and provide network services in support of this

Maintain existing production systems and improve security posture via both direct implementation and recommendations to other teams

Build prototypes and help identify, design, and test security improvements

Further our mission of providing secure and reliable Internet to underserved communities

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor's degree in computer science or another STEM discipline and 8+ years of professional experience in security software development; OR 10+ years of professional experience in security software development in lieu of a degree

Experience with one or more software development languages (i.e. Python, C++, Golang)

Experience designing and implementing security solutions for operating systems, distributed systems, or other enterprise/large-scale infrastructure

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

Experience contributing security improvements to complex systems

Experience working with special purpose security hardware such as Trusted Platform Modules (TPMs) and Hardware Security Modules (HSMs)

Fundamental understanding of network protocols; including the TCP/IP stack as well as UDP based protocols

Experienced in navigating large, complex, interactive systems

Flexibility, communicating clearly, and establishing and maintaining productive working relationships with other engineering teams

Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal

Ability to work both independently and in a team

Demonstrated ability to deal with ambiguity and to learn new technologies quickly

Advanced degree in a technical or engineering discipline

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed

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.  

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. 

Source: SpaceX careers (Greenhouse)

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