Software Engineering Manager
US$195,000 – US$290,000 / yr base salary
Posted 13 Oct 2026
Advertised as “Manager, Software Engineering, People (Application Software)”
BranchFactor Summary
The original posting with the fluff stripped out
- Expected experience
- 5+ yrs
- Management level
- People management
| Base salary | US$195,000 – US$290,000 / yr |
|---|
Field of studyComputer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, Science
Study levelBachelor's
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.
MANAGER, SOFTWARE ENGINEERING, PEOPLE (APPLICATION SOFTWARE)
As the Software Engineering Manager, you will be managing teams of software engineers to build and support our People software systems – including HRIS, payroll, and the applications that run the employee lifecycle.
The People software team builds and maintains the mission-critical systems that power SpaceX’s People operations and keep employee, payroll, and HR data accurate, reliable, and secure as we scale launch, manufacturing, Starlink, AI, and chip design. Our teams design, own, and evolve the platforms HR, payroll, and recruiting depend on every day – from core HRIS and payroll to timekeeping, benefits, recruiting, and the integrations that connect those systems with finance, identity, facilities, and other teams across the company.
Are you comfortable tackling new problems and creating innovative solutions? Do you want to help improve the software, infrastructure, and the teams that are instrumental to help take us to Mars? Are you excited about helping people grow in their careers? Do you thrive in a fast-paced environment that embraces change? If this sounds like you, join and help lead our teams to make a real impact on humanity.
Aerospace experience is not required to be successful here – rather we look for smart, motivated, collaborative leaders who love solving problems and want to make an impact on a super inspiring mission.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Manage all aspects of the software supporting People operations, including HRIS, payroll, time and attendance, benefits, recruiting, employee master data and org structure, and the systems that connect People with finance, identity, facilities, and other teams across the company
- Ensure successful execution on core goals such as reliability, data accuracy, privacy, auditability, and scalability; alignment with People, Payroll, and Talent stakeholders’ needs; and architecture that meets future needs as we scale headcount across sites and the rest of the business
- Provide strong technical leadership and strategic guidance to the software teams, while focusing on continuously raising the bar on engineering and quality of execution
- Drive speed of iteration of the software teams with focus on capability-based deliverables
- Work with teams to set priorities, plan work, and help make trades on what is important at any given time
- Own all aspects, including prioritization, implementation, and delivery, of the system roadmap