Sr. Software Engineer, DevOps

About the role

You will build the infrastructure that powers the Starlink network and enables global high-speed broadband. This role focuses on creating systems that allow engineering teams to deploy code with speed and reliability. You will own the full lifecycle of your tools, from initial design through testing and production support. You will architect solutions that bridge development workflows with the demands of space-based operations. Your work will directly influence how quickly new features and critical updates reach Starlink users around the world. You will partner closely with engineers across the stack to ensure deployment pipelines are robust and scalable. This position requires a proactive mindset to anticipate infrastructure needs before they impact the mission. You will be responsible for maintaining the reliability and performance of the systems that keep the network online.

About the role

The Sr. Software Engineer, DevOps position at SpaceX centers on building and sustaining the foundational infrastructure that enables the Starlink network to deliver high-speed broadband globally. You will be responsible for designing and operating systems that empower engineering teams to deploy code rapidly, securely, and with unwavering reliability. This role demands ownership of the entire tool lifecycle, from initial conceptual design through rigorous testing and continuous production support. You will work at the intersection of software development and space systems, ensuring that infrastructure decisions account for the unique constraints and opportunities of orbital operations. The position requires close collaboration with cross-functional engineering teams to create deployment pipelines that are both resilient and scalable. Success in this role depends on anticipating infrastructure challenges before they impact the mission and maintaining the highest standards of system performance and availability.

What you'll do

• Design and implement systems that streamline development and deployment workflows.
• Manage software validation across virtualized environments, hardware-in-the-loop setups, and on-orbit platforms.
• Analyze data and monitor performance to maintain continuous integration and release pipelines.
• Troubleshoot and integrate components across the entire Starlink stack.
• Administer core infrastructure, including databases and software libraries.
• Propose and execute improvements to increase developer productivity.
• Optimize deployment strategies to reduce risk and accelerate release cycles.
• Collaborate with security teams to ensure infrastructure complies with strict standards.
• Automate manual processes to reduce toil and increase reliability of operational tasks.
• Support incident response activities and contribute to post-incident reviews.
• Mentor junior engineers on best practices for infrastructure management.
• Evaluate new tools and technologies to determine their fit for the production environment.
• Maintain detailed documentation of systems and procedures for operational clarity.

Requirements

• Bachelor degree in computer science, engineering, math, or a STEM field with 5+ years of software experience, or 7+ years of professional software development experience without a degree.
• Proficiency in Python, Go, or C++.
• Ability to work extended hours and weekends as the mission requires.
• Must meet ITAR requirements: U.S. citizen, national, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex software systems in production environments.
• Strong understanding of networking concepts and distributed system principles.
• Capability to interpret technical requirements and translate them into infrastructure solutions.
• Willingness to adhere to strict operational procedures and compliance guidelines.

Nice to have

• Background in DevOps, site reliability engineering, or systems administration.
• Experience with Bazel or similar build systems.
• Familiarity with Linux, Docker, Kubernetes, GitOps, and ArgoCD.
• Fluency in Python.
• Skills in unit testing, debugging, and performance tuning.
• Experience managing systems at scale and deploying real-world applications.
• Knowledge of cloud provider services and infrastructure as code tools.
• Experience with monitoring and alerting systems for high-availability environments.

Skills & tools

• Python, Go, C++
• Linux, Docker, Kubernetes
• Bazel, GitOps, ArgoCD
• CI/CD, build systems, monitoring

Practical notes

• Salary range: $165,000 to $230,000 for Level 3.
• Total rewards include company stock, long-term cash awards, discretionary bonuses, and an Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
• Benefits include medical, vision, dental, 401(k), disability, life insurance, paid parental leave, 3 weeks vacation, and 10+ holidays.
• Company shuttles operate Monday through Friday between select Seattle locations and the Redmond office.