Sr. Wireless Software Engineer (Starlink)

United States Digital Space LLC; Redmond (WA); On-site; USD 160,000 - 225,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

401(k) plan

Medical, vision, and dental coverage

Paid time off

Shuttle from Seattle to Redmond

Job summary

Starlink is seeking a Sr. Wireless Software Engineer to design, develop, test, and maintain the wireless software stack for the Starlink communications network.

You will work on firmware, embedded systems, and real-time networking algorithms across hardware platforms. Requirements include a Bachelor’s degree in CS/Engineering or 2+ years with C/C++, experience with wireless protocols, RF concepts, and hands-on lab work with spectrum analyzers and test equipment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, engineering, math, or STEM; OR 2+ years of professional software engineering experience, programming with C or C++ in lieu of a degree.
• Experience working with wireless software or network protocols.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, test, and maintain physical and MAC layer software of the wireless software stack for the Starlink communications network.
• Participate in architecting current and next-gen Starlink hardware and signal processing algorithms.
• Participate in hardware bring-up, debugging, verification and launch.
• Work with other teams for cross-layer integration of the end-to-end system.
• Develop prototypes to prove out key design concepts and quantify technical constraints.
• Collaborate with other engineers to plan and organize the development of our products.

Skills

Wireless communications

Signal processing

Network protocols

RF fundamentals

DSP algorithms

Debugging

Performance optimization

Unit testing

Strong communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/Engineering or STEM (or 2+ years with C/C++)

Tools

RF spectrum analyzer

Network analyzer

Oscilloscope

Signal generator

Job description

SR. WIRELESS SOFTWARE ENGINEER (STARLINK)

At the company, 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 millions of 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 a Sr. Wireless Software Engineer on these programs, you will be solving a wide range of novel engineering challenges:

• Firmware, embedded, and signal processing software running on custom hardware that flies the world’s largest fleet of spacecraft.
• Cutting‑edge networking algorithms capable of connecting thousands of satellites to millions of users in real time.
• Infrastructure and tools enabling a highly reliable, software‑defined global network.

Our software engineers are responsible for the complete lifecycle of the software they create, including development, testing, and support.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Design, implement, test, and maintain physical and MAC layer software of the wireless software stack for the Starlink communications network.
• Participate in architecting current and next‑gen Starlink hardware and signal processing algorithms.
• Participate in hardware bring‑up, debugging, verification and launch.
• Work with other teams for cross‑layer integration of the end‑to‑end system.
• Develop prototypes to prove out key design concepts and quantify technical constraints.
• Collaborate with other engineers to plan and organize the development of our products.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, engineering, math, or STEM discipline; OR 2+ years of professional software engineering experience, programming with C or C++ in lieu of a degree.
• Experience working with wireless software or network protocols.

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Strong knowledge of wireless communications, signal processing and/or network protocols.
• Knowledge of RF systems and fundamentals: noise figure, link budget, non‑linearity.
• Experience writing software for RF/mixed‑signal integrated circuits and/or systems, such as phase‑locked loops, mixers, data‑converters, RF attenuators.
• Familiar with design and implementation of Digital Signal Processing algorithms and techniques: FFT, time and frequency domain equalizer, channel estimation, pilot tracking, digital pre‑distortion, doppler compensation.
• Experience with lab equipment such as RF spectrum analyzer, network analyzer, signal generator, oscilloscope.
• Experience in any of physical and/or MAC layers in broadband access technologies such as: Wi‑Fi, LTE, 5G or satellite broadband.
• Creative approach to problem solving, exceptional analytical skills and engineering fundamentals.
• Strong skills in debugging, performance optimization, and unit testing.
• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal.
• Ability to work effectively in a dynamic environment with changing needs and requirements.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

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

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Pay range: Sr. Software Engineer: $160,000.00 - $225,000.00 per year.

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 the company. 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 the company Redmond office Monday to Friday.

ITAR REQUIREMENTS

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be (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.

The company is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with the company 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.