Embedded Software Engineer, Laser Mesh Routing (Starlink)

SpaceX • Redmond, WA

1d

About The Position

As a member of the Platform Core team, the Embedded Software Engineer will develop and maintain the low-level software that interfaces directly with supercomputer hardware and network fabrics, supporting both SpaceX’s supercomputer network fabric and Starlink’s laser mesh of satellites. The role involves building a lean, reliable Linux-based operating system, developing high-performance device drivers, and supporting deployment, operation, and debugging in production. The engineer will also work with hardware teams and external partners to bring up the operating system and software stack on next-generation hardware.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, engineering, mathematics, or a science discipline, or at least 2 years of professional software development experience in lieu of a degree; internship experience is applicable.
• Hands-on system programming experience in C or C++.

Nice To Haves

• Deep knowledge of the Linux kernel and networking stack, or experience with another production-grade kernel.
• Proficiency with debugging tools across kernel, network, and userspace, such as ftrace, perf, Wireshark/tcpdump, eBPF, and gdb.
• Experience bringing up new hardware from scratch, such as flashing bare-metal software on a microcontroller with JTAG or bootstrapping a Linux kernel and root filesystem on new hardware.
• A demonstrated track record of developing and optimizing device or peripheral drivers, ideally for high-speed interfaces or with considerations such as DMA and cache coherency.
• Understanding of peripheral hardware interface standards such as Ethernet, PCIe, I2C, and SPI, including the ability to review schematics and debug interfaces.
• Experience with product security, operating-system or system hardening, and secure boot schemes.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain a lean, high-reliability Linux-based operating system for the supercomputer network fabric and Starlink satellite laser mesh.
• Write or rewrite high-performance device drivers to maximize the capabilities of network and compute hardware.
• Manage deployment, operation, and debugging of the platform in production.
• Investigate and resolve anomalies, identify root causes, and improve system reliability.
• Develop and continually improve observability and configuration management tools.
• Collaborate with hardware teams and external partners to design next-generation supercomputer hardware and bring up its operating system and software stack.

Benefits

• Potential eligibility for long-term incentives in the form of company stock or long-term cash awards.
• Potential discretionary bonuses.
• Ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
• Medical coverage.
• Vision coverage.
• Dental coverage.
• 401(k) retirement plan.
• Short- and long-term disability insurance.
• Life insurance.
• Paid parental leave.
• Various discounts and perks.
• Accrual of 3 weeks of paid vacation.
• 10 or more paid holidays per year.
• Paid sick time for employees in Washington State, in compliance with state and federal law.
• Company shuttles for roundtrip travel from select Seattle locations to the SpaceX Redmond office, Monday through Friday.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level