Software Engineer, AI Infrastructure (Starshield)
About this role
Engineers who thrive in high-stakes environments and enjoy scaling massive computing hardware will find a strong fit supporting the Starshield constellation at SpaceX. The team operates out of Palo Alto, CA, designing and managing the infrastructure that powers national security missions for the US government. Daily responsibilities involve scaling GPU clusters, automating on-premise compute resources, and collaborating directly with AI engineers to maintain robust system availability.
Candidates joining this group will handle GPU and CPU infrastructure deployments inside Top Secret data centers while providing bare metal and virtualized support for external customers. The position demands adaptability and technical depth across site reliability engineering, developer operations, and GPU platforms. Successful individuals will navigate complex distributed architectures and help expand the operational limits of satellite intelligence platforms.
What you will do
- Manage GPU and CPU infrastructure deployments within Top Secret data centers.
- Provide support and management for GPU-as-a-service offerings on bare metal and virtualized platforms for external customers.
- Design, validate, and productize solutions supporting AI clusters scaling beyond 100k GPUs.
- Develop automation tools to deploy and manage on-premise Kubernetes and AI clusters alongside operating systems.
- Deploy and manage core infrastructure components such as databases, monitoring tools, and distributed storage systems.
- Collaborate closely with AI engineers to build scalable, operable, and maintainable software products.
- Improve the full lifecycle of services spanning inception, design, deployment, operation, and ongoing refinement.
- Monitor supporting systems and handle alerting to guarantee high system availability.
What you need
- Hold a bachelor's degree in computer science, information systems or IT, or an engineering discipline with at least 1 year of professional site reliability engineering or DevOps experience, or possess 3+ years of professional SRE or DevOps experience without a degree.
- Demonstrate at least 1 year of professional experience working with Linux operating systems.
- Bring hands-on experience using infrastructure tooling such as Terraform or Ansible.
- Show practical background with containerization technologies including OCI containers and Kubernetes.
- Possess scripting capabilities in Bash, Python, or similar programming languages.
- Display development experience using Python, C++, or Go.
- Maintain willingness to work extended hours and weekends as needed, plus undertake domestic and global travel in the future.
- Successfully obtain and maintain a Top Secret Security Clearance as a condition of employment.
Nice to have
- 1+ years of experience with Python and Python-based development frameworks
- Experience managing Kubernetes clusters rather than just using them
- Knowledge of the Linux boot process and systems configuration
- Experience using NVIDIA GPU deployment stacks
- Active Top Secret, Top Secret SCI, or DOE Level Q clearance
Benefits
- Company stock or long-term cash awards
- Potential discretionary bonuses and employee stock purchase plan
- Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage
- 401(k) retirement plan
- Short and long-term disability insurance and life insurance
- Paid parental leave, vacation, holidays, and sick leave
Skills and tech stack
Questions candidates ask
What is the location and work schedule for this role?
The position is based in Palo Alto, CA. Employees must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed, and travel domestically and globally in the future when required.
What is the salary range for the role?
The base pay range for Level 1 is $125,000.00 to $160,000.00, and Level 2 is $145,000.00 to $195,000.00. Those with an active clearance also receive a 10% differential up to an additional $20,000 annually once officially briefed into a classified program.
What security clearance is required?
This position requires successfully obtaining and maintaining a Top Secret Security Clearance as a condition of employment. While it may not be immediately necessary upon hire, applicants must initiate the process promptly after accepting the offer.
What citizenship or work authorization is required?
Applicants must conform to U.S. Government export regulations by being a U.S. citizen or national, a U.S. lawful permanent resident, a refugee under 8 U.S.C. 1157, an asylee under 8 U.S.C. 1158, or eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.