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Embedded Software Engineer, Laser Mesh Routing (Starlink) Verified today

SpaceX · Redmond, WA · Software · first seen 2026-10-23
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Embedded Software Engineer, Laser Mesh Routing (Starlink)

You will be responsible for the lowest layers of the software stack on the devices setting the pace for how fast we can push the frontier of AI. Your software will interface directly with core hardware and network fabric.

Responsibilities

  • Build and maintain the lean, high-reliability Linux-based operating system that underpins our supercomputer network fabric and Starlink laser mesh of satellites.
  • Write high-performance device drivers to extract maximum physical capability from network and compute hardware.
  • Manage deployment, operation, and debugging of our platform in production, including rigorous resolution and root-causing of anomalies to ensure constant reliability improvement.
  • Develop and improve tools for observability and configuration management.
  • Collaborate with hardware teams and external partners to design next-generation supercomputer hardware and bring up our OS and software stack on it.

Basic Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, math, or science; OR 2+ years of professional software development experience (internship experience applicable).
  • Hands-on system programming experience in C or C++.

Preferred Skills and Experience

  • Deep knowledge of Linux kernel and its networking stack, or experience with another production-grade kernel.
  • Proficiency with debugging tools spanning kernel, network, and userspace (ftrace, perf, Wireshark/tcpdump, eBPF, gdb).
  • Experience bringing up new hardware from scratch: flashed bare-metal software on microcontroller with JTAG, or bootstrapped Linux kernel and rootfs on new hardware.
  • Demonstrated track record developing and optimizing device/peripheral drivers, ideally for high-speed interfaces with considerations like DMA and cache coherency.
  • Understanding of major peripheral hardware interface standards (Ethernet, PCIe, I2C, SPI): can critically review schematics and debug interfaces.
  • Experience with product security, OS/system hardening, and secure boot schemes.

Compensation

  • Level 1: $125,000 - $165,000
  • Level 2: $145,000 - $200,000
  • Actual level and base salary determined on case-by-case basis based on job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.
  • Long-term incentives in company stock or long-term cash awards; discretionary bonuses; Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
  • Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage; 401(k) retirement plan; short and long-term disability insurance; life insurance; paid parental leave.
  • 3 weeks paid vacation; 10+ paid holidays per year.
  • Employees in Washington State accrue paid sick time in compliance with state and federal law.
  • Company shuttles offered for roundtrip travel from select Seattle locations to Redmond office Monday to Friday.

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 (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 required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.