Software Engineer, AI Satellites (Starmind)

Spacex; Bastrop (TX); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceX in the United States is seeking a Software Engineer for the Starmind line to own and operate the software stack that enables satellite, gateway, and terminal platforms. You will design, implement, test, and support real-time software for high‑performance, low‑latency networks.

You will participate in architecture reviews, develop prototypes, and build tools for deployment and data analysis across virtual and hardware-in-the-loop environments, helping ensure mission success.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, engineering, math, or science discipline; OR 2+ years of professional software development experience.
• Experience with C, C++, or assembly.
• Experience with Linux, distributed systems, and application development.

Responsibilities

• Develop highly reliable, real-time software designed for gateways, satellites, user terminals, and switches in a low-latency satellite network.
• Participate in and lead architecture, design, and code reviews.
• Develop prototypes and manage experiments to prove key design concepts.
• Develop tools for software development, deployment, data analysis, and test execution across environments including virtualized hardware, real hardware-in-the-loop, and on-orbit testing.
• Deploy reliable software, test execution, and data analysis as part of CI/CD.

Skills

C/C++ development

Real-time systems

Linux distributed systems

Software architecture

Problem solving

Communication skills

Networking protocols

Education

Bachelor’s degree in CS/Engineering or related field

Tools

Linux

CI/CD

Embedded development

Job description

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 ofenabling human life on Mars.

SOFTWARE ENGINEER, AI SATELLITES (STARMIND)

SpaceX is leveraging its experience deploying and operating the world’s largest satellite constellation to develop Starmind, a new constellation of satellites capturing solar energy in space to power low-cost, high-performance AI compute for Earth.

The Starmind team is developing key technologies to power this satellite – massive solar power generation systems, active cooling, propulsion, and the highly reliable software stack that enables our vehicles to accomplish their mission safely and autonomously.

As a Software Engineer on the Starmind team, you’ll have ownership of the stack that will allow us to push our vehicle hardware to the limit oh physics. Our software engineers are responsible for the complete lifecycle of the software they create, including development, testing, and support. We expect our engineers to close the feedback loop between software design and real-world performance. In this role, your software will have a meaningful and measurable impact on the world.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop highly reliable, real-time software designed to run on the gateways, satellites, user terminals, and switches that make up our low latency, high capacity satellite-based global network.
• Participate in and lead architecture, design, and code reviews.
• Develop prototypes and manage experiments to prove out key design concepts.
• Develop tools for software development and deployment, data analysis and visualization, and test execution across multiple environments, including virtualized hardware environments, real hardware-in-the-loop simulations, and on-orbit testing.
• Deploy reliable software, test execution, and data analysis as part of a continuous integration and release system.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, engineering, math, or science discipline; OR 2+ years of professional experience in software development in lieu of a degree (internship experience is applicable).
• Development experience in C, C++, or assembly.
• Experience with application development and distributed systems architecture in a Linux environment.

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Strong first-principles problem-solving skills and a focus on designing bug-free, maintainable software
• Strong professional experience writing C, C++ or assembly in a production environment.
• Developed, debugged and deployed software that has been used in real world applications/projects.
• Knowledgeable in real-time rendering, game engine development, physics simulation, or other real-time, resource-constrained, high-performance computing.
• Creative approach to problem solving, exceptional analytical skills and engineering fundamentals.
• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal.
• Ability to work effectively in a dynamic environment with changing needs and requirements.
• Experience with networking protocols (UDP, TCP/IP, etc) and distributed systems.
• Experience in security issues associated with distributed systems and internet services.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to work extended hours or weekends as needed for mission critical deadlines
• Ability to travel occasionally to support on-site testing

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 Affi… or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to [e-mail].