Sr. Software Engineer, Starlink Network

About the role

You will build software for the Starlink satellite constellation to provide global broadband access. This role covers the entire development lifecycle, from initial design and prototyping to deployment and performance monitoring on hardware in orbit. You will own the design and implementation of real-time software components that bridge satellite subsystems, ground gateways, and user terminals. The position requires deep collaboration with hardware engineers and mission analysts to ensure software behavior aligns with orbital physics and operational constraints. You will be responsible for defining and maintaining software architecture that scales across thousands of satellites and millions of user terminals globally. A core part of the role is leading critical design discussions and performing detailed code reviews that impact system reliability. You will validate new concepts through rapid prototyping and rigorous testing before deployment to live orbital assets.

About the role

The Sr. Software Engineer, Starlink Network position is centered on developing the real-time software stack that enables Starlink's global broadband service. You will work directly on the satellite constellation, ground infrastructure, and user terminal software stack. This is a hands-on role that spans from low-level embedded software in space to high-availability services on the ground. You will be expected to operate across the full stack, ensuring that software components integrate seamlessly in constrained and high-stakes environments. The role demands ownership of technical decisions that affect availability, latency, and correctness of the network. You will partner closely with systems engineers, mission planners, and operations teams to align software behavior with the realities of orbital mechanics and link budgets.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Write real-time software for satellites, gateways, user terminals, and network switches using low-level systems programming in C and C++.
• Lead architecture discussions and conduct thorough code reviews to enforce high standards across the network stack and distributed components.
• Create prototypes to validate design concepts under simulated orbital conditions and performance constraints, enabling rapid iteration before flight hardware is available.
• Build internal tools for data visualization, testing, and deployment to streamline engineering workflows and improve observability across the network.
• Manage software releases across virtualized environments, hardware-in-the-loop testbeds, and on-orbit operational scenarios, ensuring traceability and reliability at every stage.
• Implement and optimize networking protocols to ensure robust packet delivery, low-latency paths, and resilience to dynamic space-based network conditions.
• Analyze telemetry and performance data to identify bottlenecks and drive iterative improvements in system behavior, using data to guide architecture decisions.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate mission requirements into technical specifications and executable software that meets stringent operational goals.
• Ensure software components meet stringent reliability, security, and timing requirements for space-based operations, where failure is not an option.
• Mentor junior engineers by providing technical guidance and fostering a culture of rigorous software craftsmanship, documentation, and testing.

Requirements

• Bachelor degree in STEM or 7 years of professional software experience.
• 5 years of professional software development experience if holding a degree.
• Proficiency in C, C++, or assembly for performance-critical and embedded software development.
• Availability to work weekends and extended hours as required to meet mission-critical timelines.
• U.S. citizenship, lawful permanent residency, refugee, or asylee status to comply with ITAR export control regulations.
• Strong understanding of operating systems concepts including scheduling, memory management, and inter-process communication.
• Ability to debug complex issues in distributed, real-time, and resource-constrained environments.
• Willingness to follow detailed engineering processes and contribute to safety-critical software standards.

Nice to have

• Background in game engine development, physics simulation, or real-time rendering.
• Experience with distributed systems and networking protocols like TCP/IP and UDP.
• Knowledge of security for internet services and distributed architectures.
• Expertise in L3/L4 IP packet processing, including XDP/eBPF, DPDK, or user-space forwarding.
• Familiarity with packet forwarding features such as QoS, NAT, ACLs, load balancing, DDoS mitigation, and DPI.
• Experience with high-scale networking hardware like Intel IPUs or NVIDIA/Mellanox BlueField SmartNICs.

Practical notes

• Salary range: $160,000 to $225,000 per year.
• Compensation includes potential stock options, long-term cash awards, discretionary bonuses, and an Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
• Benefits include medical, dental, vision, 401(k), disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, 3 weeks vacation, 10+ holidays, and 5 sick days.
• Company shuttles provide transit from select Seattle locations to the Redmond office.
• ITAR compliance: Applicants must be U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, refugees, or asylees to meet export control regulations.