AI Engineer, Special Programs - Top Secret Clearance
SpaceX · Palo Alto, CA
Posted about 3 months ago · $135,000 - $230,000.00
or apply directly on SpaceX's site. We never take the application ourselves.
Is this posting real?
- This role has been open
- 81 days SpaceX's roles stay open a median of 81 days
- Reposted
- No
- Salary listed
- Yes 52% of SpaceX's roles list one
- Ghost-job risk at SpaceX
- high 2345 stale, 43 reposted of 2,362 open
- Hiring momentum
- 3062 roles opened in the last 90 days ↑ up vs. the prior 90 days
- Last confirmed on the employer's board
- 2026-10-23
Measured from postings appearing on and disappearing from SpaceX's own greenhouse board since 2026-08-03. Full hiring picture for SpaceX.
About this role
As an AI Engineer in Special Programs at SpaceX, you will design and optimize AI solutions for U.S. federal agencies, focusing on integrating AI models with government systems. Your role involves collaborating with various teams to enhance model performance, develop evaluation frameworks, and automate workflows while ensuring compliance with safety and ethical standards. You will also be responsible for shipping production-grade code and iterating on solutions based on agency feedback.
- benefits
- 5/5
- freshness
- 1/5
- career value
- 4/5
- role clarity
- 4/5
- pay transparency
- 5/5
Scored from the posting itself — how clearly the role is described, how much it says about pay and benefits, and how recently it was listed. Not a judgement of SpaceX as an employer.
What you need
- Bachelor's degree in computer science, mathematics, computer engineering, physics, or data science
- 1+ years of hands-on software engineering experience building scalable systems, APIs, or AI/ML applications
- Active Top-Secret or Top-Secret SCI clearance
Nice to have
- Demonstrated success working with government agencies, DoW, or federal contractors on AI, software, or data projects
- 6+ years of software engineering experience, ideally in environments requiring high reliability or security
- Expertise in designing, implementing, and maintaining robust, scalable, and secure AI-driven solutions that meet stringent compliance and operational standards
- Proven experience implementing AI or machine learning products with APIs, back-end systems, and front-end interfaces
- Proficiency in Python and/or TypeScript
What you get
- Pay range: $135,000 - $230,000.00 per year
- Eligibility for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock, stock options, or long-term cash awards
- Potential discretionary bonuses
- Ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan
- Access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage
- Access to a 401(k) retirement plan
Worth weighing
- Active Top-Secret clearance required
- Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed
- 20% travel may be required to government sites
Summarised from SpaceX's posting. Read the full original.
Listed by SpaceX on their greenhouse job board, last confirmed open on 2026-10-23. PitchMeAI is not the employer.
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