Wireless Software Engineer (Starlink)

SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP; Palo Alto (CA); On-site; USD 135,000 - 185,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Medical coverage

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

401(k)

Job summary

SpaceX in Palo Alto is seeking a Wireless Software Engineer to design, implement, test, and maintain the wireless software stack for the Starlink network, including firmware, MAC layer, and signal processing on custom hardware.

You will contribute to architecture of current and next‑gen Starlink hardware, perform bring‑up, debugging, verification, and cross‑layer integration while collaborating with fellow engineers to deliver reliable, scalable connectivity.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, engineering, math, or STEM discipline.
• 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 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

C/C++

Wireless software

Network protocols

Debugging

Performance tuning

Unit testing

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in STEM

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 of enabling human life on Mars.

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 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 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:

• Software Engineer/Level I: $135,000.00 - $155,000.00 per year
• Software Engineer/Level II: $155,000.00 - $185,000.00 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 SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long‑term incentives, in the form of company stock, stock options, 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 accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law.

• 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.