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SpaceX

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.

Our read on this posting3.8out of 5
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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