Manager, Software Engineering, People (Application Software)

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 • Collaborate with other leaders in the department, and across the company, to ensure data flows cleanly end-to-end, controls stay strong, and People systems keep pace with the business • Directly manage a team of software engineers and software engineering leads • Attract, onboard, and retain diverse top talent. Develop people and teams through coaching, mentoring, and management support • Conduct weekly 1:1s, goal setting, feedback conversations, and semi-annual performance reviews with engineers and engineering leads to ensure their well-being and team health, and support them in their learning and development BASIC QUALIFICATIONS: • Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, math, or science discipline and 5+ years of software development experience; OR 7+ years of professional software development experience in lieu of a degree • 1+ years of experience with direct report management for a software engineering team PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE: • 5+ years of experience developing across a full-stack: web server, database, and client-side (HTML/JavaScript/CSS), CI/CD • Programming experience in Python, C#, .NET, Go, Java, or similar object-oriented language • Front-end experience in Angular, React, or similar JavaScript framework • Experience with PostgreSQL, SQL Server, or similar database technologies • Experience building or integrating with HRIS, payroll, or talent systems • Experience with sensitive employee data, privacy, auditability, and access controls (SOX-aware payroll systems a plus) • Domain expertise in any of the following: • HRIS and employee lifecycle systems (hire to retire, org structure, employee master data) • Payroll, time and attendance, or benefits platforms • HRIS / payroll platforms (e.g. Workday, UKG, SAP SuccessFactors, ADP, or similar) • People data integrations, identity/org sync, or reporting platforms • Up to date with current trends, patterns, and direction of the world of web development as it changes rapidly • Strong knowledge of computer science fundamentals and applying them in the real-world • Experience optimizing applications for performance and scaling web applications • Excellent communication skills both written and verbal • Demonstrated technical project management skills • Proven leadership ability on software development teams • Understanding of system architecture and ability to communicate and guide others on design decisions • Strong desire to mentor and grow employees • Able to collaborate across group and department lines with a wide range of engineers, People/Payroll/Talent stakeholders, and managers ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: • Must be able to work extended hours and weekends as needed • Must be able to travel to other SpaceX sites as needed (~10%) • Ability to pass Air Force background checks for Cape Canaveral and Vandenberg COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS: Pay Range: $195,000.00 - $290,000.00 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