Hiring: Principal Software Engineer (Platform Team) Company: SpaceX Location: Palo Alto, CA Job Posted Time: 2026-09-10 10:23:40 Target Skills & Keywords : Docker, Kubernetes, MLOps, Python About the job Experience: •Demonstrated success architecting and scaling AI gateways, secure proxy layers, or enterprise MLOps platforms that serve hundreds of users •Expert-level experience with Docker/Kubernetes ecosystems, zero-trust security models, and multi-cloud/frontier-model integrations •Deep expertise in MLOps, distributed compute, model lifecycle management, and building highly observable, reliable systems •Strong history of enabling organization-wide impact through technical leadership, mentoring, and creation of shared platforms and standards •Entrepreneurial leadership with a proven ability to spot and deliver transformative solutions Required Skills: •Define and drive the long-term technical vision and architecture for SpaceX’s AI platform and security infrastructure •Lead high-impact initiatives with full ownership over strategy, design, implementation, and successful company-wide rollout •Oversee onboarding of frontier models, massive compute scaling, and continuous optimization of proxy systems for security, efficiency, logging, and control •Lead adoption efforts at scale — establishing standards, mentoring senior engineers, building reusable assets, and driving cultural change toward AI-first workflows •Proactively identify and execute on the highest-leverage opportunities to turn ideas into production software, trained models, and automated systems with managed, reliable compute •Invent and scale advanced risk-mitigation capabilities (AI code review, automated PR tools, safety systems) that protect and accelerate the business •Establish best practices and technical direction for lean, secure, and maximally effective applied AI across the company •Serve as a key technical advisor and collaborator with leadership and cross-functional teams to align platform capabilities with SpaceX’s most ambitious goals Qualifications: •Bachelor’s degree in computer science, computer engineering, or other engineering discipline and 7+ years of professional experience building and scaling production platforms; OR 9+ years of professional experience building and scaling production platforms in lieu of a degree •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. •Mastery of Python and broad expertise across modern languages and tooling Compensation: •$210,000 - $295,000 / year Interested candidates, please apply directly through the job posting on company's career page or try via AI auto apply on this platform. Don't miss this opportunity to join a forward-thinking team!