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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # AI Security Software Engineer (Starshield) - **Company:** Space Exploration Technologies Corp. - **Location:** Washington, DC, United States - **Experience:** Experienced - **Salary:** $130,000.0 - $160,000.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Artificial Intelligence, Application Integration Architecture, User Authentication, C++ (Programming Language), Distributed Systems, Python (Programming Language), Network Security, Security Software, Software Engineering, Large Language Models, Build Management, Information Technology, Operating System Security, Golang - **Published:** September 5, 2026 - **Apply:** https://diversityjobs.com/main/sendform/8/8/28176/1/18219053?backUrl=%2Fcareer%2F18219053%2FAi-Security-Software-Engineer-Starshield-D-C-Washington ## About the Role Ideally, you have notable skills in the following: * Software engineering * Agent engineering and security * LLM attack surfaces * Network and operating system security * Incident response and adversary detection 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., * Bachelor's degree in computer science or another STEM discipline; OR 2+ 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 * Experience designing and implementing solutions with LLMs, LLM-based agents, or adjacent AI topics PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE: * Demonstrated ability to deal with ambiguity, learn quickly, problem solve, and take ownership of the end result * Understanding of core security engineering topics: cryptography, authentication, network security, operating system security * Experience designing, prompting, and securing agents that can perform long-running autonomous tasks * Experience red-teaming/penetration-testing LLMs, including prompt injection, jailbreaking, and data exfiltration * Experience deploying and managing LLMs, including infrastructure and maintenance to ensure reliable, scalable operation * Experience contributing security improvements to complex 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 * Advanced degree in a technical or engineering discipline * Active Top Secret, Top Secret SCI, or DOE Level Q clearance, * 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. ## Description As an AI Security Software Engineer, you will leverage AI to automate security-related efforts and ensure safe AI integration into new and existing systems. If you are passionate about AI, security, and pushing the limits of combining both together, this role is for you., * Design and build security-critical agents for Starshield that automate network and systems defense * Leverage AI to discover and fix security issues in Starshield infrastructure and systems * Provide guidance and perform testing of AI integrations into new and existing Starshield systems * Identify new areas of the program where meaningful security improvements can be gained via automation and AI * Maintain existing production systems and improve security posture via both direct implementation and recommendations to other teams, * Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed * This position requires successfully obtaining and maintaining a Top Secret Security Clearance as a condition of employment. While the clearance may not be immediately necessary upon hire, we encourage you to initiate the application process promptly upon accepting this offer. Your ability to secure the necessary clearance is essential for fulfilling key responsibilities of the role. Should you be unable to obtain it, SpaceX reserves the right to modify or terminate your employment to align with operational needs. ## Related Videos - [Go with the Flow: Stop the Leaks Before Your Memory's a Waterfall!](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100073-go-with-the-flow-stop-the-leaks-before-your-memory-s-a-waterfall) - [Small, Secure, Interconnected: The next Internet Protocol](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100062-small-secure-interconnected-the-next-internet-protocol) - [Answering the Million Dollar Question: Why did I Break Production?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1171-answering-the-million-dollar-question-why-did-i-break-production) - [The AI Security Survival Guide: Practical Advice for Stressed-Out Developers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1015-the-ai-security-survival-guide-practical-advice-for-stressed-out-developers) - [Scoring 2000 Products per Request: Performance Pitfalls in Golang](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/2073-scoring-2000-products-per-request-performance-pitfalls-in-golang) - [Automated Security for the Entire SDLC](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100323-automated-security-for-the-entire-sdlc) ## Related Articles - [Dev Digest 134 - Where pixels sing?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/477-dev-digest-134-where-pixels-sing) - [How to Become an AI Engineer](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/331-how-to-become-an-ai-engineer) - [Highest Paying Tech Companies for Developers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/220-highest-paying-tech-companies-for-developers) - [Dev Digest 210: AI Agents Are Go! 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