[Macca]

SpaceX, Los Angeles. With the Obama administration's recent budget recommendations for NASA (cutting the Constellation program), we're continuing our expansion. Mad C++ & Linux skillz? Want to write code that lives on the International Space Station or controls our vehicle while it visits? Think humanity should colonize Mars? Drop us a line, we're hiring. Visit spacex.com/careers for more info.

[icey]

This is quite possibly the first job posting I've ever seen that has made me want to write C++.

[plinkplonk]

"This is quite possibly the first job posting I've ever seen that has made me want to write C++."

yeah me too. And I am not even looking for a job! But it is probably US only. And I have no intention of traveling. Going through the degrading visa app process is not worth it.

[bravura]

This is quite possibly the first job offering that has made me want to move to LA.

[marshallp]

sending c++ up in space - i's wouldn't want to sit on the spacecraft

[marshallp]

c++ is legitimately a bad choice -combination of python and c, or compiled safe languages like lisp/ocaml/haskell is better

[bravura]

This is quite possibly the first job offering that has made me want to move to LA.

[plinkplonk]

Is this a US only job? Seeing as you would be writing code that runs on a vehicle on Mars, maybe you could accept code from a different part of the Earth? ;-)

[Macca]

Yeah, unfortunately. The job requires either US citizenship or permanent residency. If you're interested in the reasons, google ITAR.

[plinkplonk]

Too bad! Ah well, hopefully someone else will compete with the United States for Space Exploration in our life time. Nothing like fierce competition to stimulate making things easier for people trying to work for you!

ok so I scanned through ITAR and it has 20 categories of items on the "Munitions List". If any non US hackers want to be "Munitions Expert"s, keep reading.

(1) Firearms, Close Assult Weapons and Combat Shotguns (2) Guns and Armaments (3) Ammunition/Ordnance (4) Launch Vehicles, Guided Missiles, Rockets Torpedoes, Bombs and mines (5)Explosives and Energetic Materials, propellants,Incendiary Agents and their constituents (6) vesels of War and Special Naval Equipment (7) Tanks and Military Equipment (8) Aircraft and Associated Equipment (9) Military Equipment and Training (10) Protective Personnel Equipment and Shelters (11) Military Electronics (12) Fire Control, Range Finder Optical guidance and Control Equipment and (13) Auxiliary Military Equipment, (14) Toxicological Agents (15) SpaceCraft systems and Associated Equipment (16) Nuclear Weapons (17) Classified Articles, technical Data and Services not otherwise enumerated (!!!) (18) Directed Energy Weapons (19) Reserved(??) (20)Submersible Vessels and Oceanographic Equipment (21) Miscellaneous Articles

with lots of items under each heading.

And here's the bit that most affects hackers.

Section 121.8

(e) Firmware and any related uniques support tools such as computers, linkers, editors, testcase generators, diagnostic checkers, libraries of functions and system test diagnostics specifically designed for equipment or systems covered under any category of the US Munitions List is considered part of the end item or component. Firmware includes but is not limited to circuits into which the software has been programmed.

(f) Software includes but is not limited to the system functional design, logic flow, algorithms, application programs operating systems and support software, for design , implementation, test, operation, diagnosis and repair.

Hey, on second thought I think I like being an "International Munitions Expert" Better title than "Code Monkey"!

[dmoney]

So this seems to make open-source software aboard a spacecraft illegal. At least the software specifically intended for spacecraft operation. That's a shame.

[stonemetal]

Yeah it gets a bit crazy. At work we can't link to matlab because it is covered by ITAR.

[lutorm]

Sounds cool. When I have my greencard I'll send you my resume... ;-)

[techiferous]

If you're interested in the reasons, google mars metric crash. ;)

[marshallp]

government delights in shooting its own foot

[wlievens]

Please open a Belgian office :-)