Summary written by USA Jobs 24 from SpaceX's advert and our data on 17,030 current US jobs. How we check every job
At a glance
SpaceX is hiring a Principal Construction Engineer in Hawthorne, CA. It is a full-time role in Software & IT, asking for at least 10 years of experience, first listed on November 1. The advertised pay is $180,000–$275,000 a year. SpaceX has 149 other openings in the US, 29 of them in Hawthorne, CA. Across all employers on USA Jobs 24 there are 13 Software & IT openings in Hawthorne, CA today; the typical one asks for 5 years and advertises about $175,000 a year at the midpoint.
How the pay compares
SpaceX advertises $180,000 to $275,000 a year, a midpoint of $227,500 a year. Where an offer lands in a range usually depends on experience and on the exact location. That is higher than about 61% of the 1,317 software & IT jobs in California that publish a yearly rate on USA Jobs 24, where the typical midpoint is $213,000 a year. To see roughly what this leaves after federal and California tax, try our take-home pay calculator.
Before you apply
- Check it is still open. We found this job on SpaceX's Greenhouse site on November 1 and checked it again November 4, 5:17 AM ET. When an employer takes a job down, we remove it at our next daily update.
- Check the location works for you. This role is based in Hawthorne, CA. If you would need to move, ask whether relocation help is offered.
- Match the experience. The advert asks for at least 10 years of experience. If you are a little short, a close match on the skills in the advert can still win an interview.
- Know your number. Decide the lowest offer you would accept before the first call. Our salary negotiation guide explains how to ask for more.
- Apply only through SpaceX's own site. Our Apply button goes straight to SpaceX's Greenhouse page. If anyone contacts you about this job and asks for money, gift cards or bank details, stop and check it with our scam checker. Read how to spot a fake job offer.
About hiring at SpaceX
SpaceX has 150 openings on USA Jobs 24 today across 7 states. Most are in software & IT (59), engineering & mfg (29) and operations (29). The biggest locations are Brownsville, TX (37), Bastrop, TX (33) and Starbase, TX (31). None of them is fully remote, 26% are open to entry-level candidates and 39% show pay. We collect SpaceX's jobs every day straight from its own careers system (Greenhouse), never from job boards or agencies.
The employer's advert
This is SpaceX's own description of the job, copied word for word from its careers site. We have not edited it.
Show the full advert from SpaceXHide the advert798 words
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 CONSTRUCTION ENGINEER
As a member of the HQ construction team, you will design, build, and activate some of the world’s most technically advanced manufacturing facilities. We execute complex construction projects and infrastructure improvements from cradle to grave. You will be able to operate with autonomy to solve diverse and complex problems, excel at managing multiple projects at a time and work in a dynamic, fast-paced environment. You will work with other construction engineers, architects, trade partners and internal customers to support these goals and have the opportunity to drive real global impact, ultimately leading to making life multiplanetary. All SpaceX construction engineers serve additionally as project managers and supers – this is a construction management role per industry standards. The position is based in Hawthorne, CA.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Oversee and own full lifecycle of projects with on-time and under-budget delivery
- Manage all aspects of multi-discipline construction projects in the field and office
- Be the overall construction project manager and extreme owner
- Perform project control tasks, including project scheduling and cost control
- Interact with contractors, fabricators, and internal customers
- Resolve design and construction conflicts in the field in real-time
- Provide budgetary costs based upon the preliminary scope of the project
- Gather proposals from architects, engineers and contractors; assign contracts upon receipt of all proposals
- Facilitate city, county, and governmental approvals
- Coordinate project implementation and track project status
- Coordinate with end user and facilities team for building operations and maintenance
- Develop tools and approach to supporting the space allocation and adjudication process across the enterprise
- Coordinate real estate planning and management functions as needed
- Take on new projects ad-hoc as the business needs
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline, architecture, or construction management
- 10+ years of construction experience
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Professional Engineer (PE) License
- Experience managing multiple vertical projects
- Knowledge of processes of jurisdictional permitting and/or environmental agencies
- Understanding of multiple disciplines such as civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, piping, geotechnical, and surveying
- Experience with project management of major construction projects including estimating, cost control, schedule, and contractor management
- Experience reading, reviewing, and approving shop and fabrication drawings, blueprints, and technical manuals
- Manufacturing facility experience
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Ability to work at elevated heights (200+ feet)
- Physical effort with lifting and carrying materials or equipment (up to 25 lbs.)
- Typically exposed to work in extreme outdoor environments – heat, cold, rain
- Work performed in an environment requiring exposure to fumes, odors, and noise
- Must be available to work extended hours and weekends when needed based on site operational needs; flexibility required
- Valid driver’s license
- Occasional travel may be required to support projects at other sites
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
Pay Range:
Level 3: $180,000.00 - $275,000.00
Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.
Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Employees accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law.
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.
USA Jobs 24 copied this listing from SpaceX's official careers site on November 1, 2026 and checked it again November 4, 5:17 AM ET. SpaceX will never ask you to pay to apply or to buy equipment with a check they send you. If anyone does, it is a scam.
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