Sr. Software Infrastructure Engineer (Starlink)

SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP; Redmond (WA); On-site; USD 165,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage

401(k) retirement plan

Paid parental leave

3 weeks of paid vacation

10 or more paid holidays

Company stock purchase plan

Job summary

SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP is seeking a Sr. Software Infrastructure Engineer focused on Starlink in Redmond, WA. The role involves designing, operating, and scaling infrastructure for a network that handles millions of users daily. You'll work on automating deployment, managing core infrastructure, and collaborating with engineers to create scalable products.

The ideal candidate has a Bachelor's degree and significant experience in systems administration, reliability engineering, and DevOps, especially with Linux, Docker, and Kubernetes.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in systems administration, site reliability engineering, or DevOps.
• 2+ years of professional experience with Linux operating systems.
• Experience with containerization technologies such as Docker and Kubernetes.

Responsibilities

• Develop automation to deploy and manage on‑premise compute resources.
• Deploy and manage core infrastructure such as databases and monitoring.
• Engage in the whole lifecycle of services from inception and design to deployment.

Skills

Linux operating systems

Terraform

Ansible

Docker

Kubernetes

Python

C++

Bash

Education

Bachelor’s degree in computer science, information systems/IT, or an engineering discipline

Tools

Kubernetes

Docker

Terraform

Ansible

Job description

Sr. Software Infrastructure Engineer (Starlink)

Redmond, WA

SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is 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.

Sr. Software Infrastructure Engineer (Starlink)

At SpaceX we’re leveraging our experience in building rockets and spacecraft to deploy Starlink, the world’s most advanced broadband internet system. Starlink is the world’s largest satellite constellation and is providing fast, reliable internet to 9M+ users worldwide. We design, build, test, and operate all parts of the system – thousands of satellites, consumer receivers that allow users to connect within minutes of unboxing, and the software that brings it all together. We’ve only begun to scratch the surface of Starlink’s potential global impact and are looking for best-in-class engineers to help maximize Starlink’s utility for communities and businesses around the globe.

As an engineer focused on Starlink’s software and network infrastructure, you will design, operate and scale the infrastructure we use to run the world’s largest satellite constellation and manage a network that handles millions of daily users worldwide. These positions cover a variety of areas ranging from Developer Operations, to Site Reliability and managing our Kubernetes environment. You will develop automation to deploy and manage on‑premise compute resources, create highly scalable and maintainable software products, and directly collaborate with engineering across the board.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop automation to deploy and manage on‑premise compute resources
• Deploy and manage core infrastructure such as databases, monitoring and distributed storage
• Closely collaborate with software engineers to create highly scalable, operable and maintainable products
• Engage in and improve the whole lifecycle of services -- from inception and design, through deployment, operation and refinement
• Invent tools and processes that enable fast, accurate, and easy‑to‑use development and deployment systems
• Provide fast and comprehensive software validation, including virtualized, hardware‑in‑the‑loop, and on‑orbit test platforms
• Monitoring and data analysis in support of a continuous integration and release system
• Hands‑on integration and troubleshooting across the entire Starlink stack
• Create and manage core infrastructure such as databases and software libraries
• Identify areas for improvement and create innovative solutions that enable high developer velocity

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, information systems/IT, or an engineering discipline and 5+ years of professional experience in systems administration, site reliability engineering, or DevOps; OR 7+ years of professional experience in systems administration, site reliability engineering, or DevOps in lieu of a degree
• 2+ years of professional experience with Linux operating systems
• Experience with Terraform, Ansible, or other infrastructure tools
• Experience with containerization technologies (i.e. Docker, Kubernetes)
• Experience in Bash, Python, and/or other scripting languages
• Development experience in Python, C++ or C

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• 3+ years of experience with Python and Python‑based development frameworks
• Strong understanding of virtualization and hypervisor technologies
• Knowledge of Linux boot process and systems configuration
• Deep understanding of testing, continuous integration, build, deployment & continuous monitoring
• Strong understanding of relevant technologies, such as:
  • Bazel or other build systems
  • Linux, Docker, Kubernetes, or similar technologies
  • Focus on performance bottlenecks and performance improvement techniques
  • Understanding of databases and data modeling
  • Experience with automatically managing dozens, hundreds, or thousands of servers (eg: Terraform or Ansible)
  • Strong networking knowledge of TCP/IP
• Excellent communications skills with the ability to communicate with customers, peers, management etc. in both formal and informal situations

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Pay Range: Level 3: $165,000.00 - $230,000.00

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 in Washington State accrue paid sick time in compliance with state and federal law. Company shuttles are offered to employees for roundtrip travel from select Seattle locations to the SpaceX Redmond office Monday to Friday.

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.

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 Affiant Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to [e-mail]