Sr. Software Engineer, AI Infrastructure (Starshield)
About this role
The Starshield team at SpaceX builds and operates the world’s largest government satellite constellation to deliver critical national security data worldwide. Engineers in this group design, operate, and scale the software and GPU infrastructure that supports these vital space-based missions. You will develop automation to manage on-premise compute resources, oversee GPU infrastructure deployments in Top Secret data centers, and work closely with AI engineers to create scalable products.
This senior-level role exists to drive technical excellence and handle large-scale AI clusters comprising over 100k GPUs. You will guide the team through infrastructure lifecycles, manage bare metal and virtualized platforms, and mentor junior colleagues. Candidates who thrive here are experienced infrastructure and reliability engineers with a strong background in Linux, Kubernetes, and large-scale hardware deployments who can navigate rigorous national security requirements.
What you will do
- Manage GPU and CPU infrastructure deployments inside Top Secret data centers.
- Provide operational support for GPU as a service on bare metal hardware and virtualized platforms for external customers.
- Design, validate, and productize solutions for AI clusters scaling past 100k GPUs.
- Develop automation for deploying and managing on-premise Kubernetes and AI clusters alongside operating systems.
- Deploy and maintain core infrastructure components including databases, monitoring systems, and distributed storage.
- Collaborate directly with AI engineers to build scalable, operable, and maintainable software products.
- Improve the full lifecycle of services from initial design through deployment, operation, and refinement, while mentoring junior engineers.
What you need
- Hold a Bachelor’s degree in computer science, information systems, IT, or an engineering discipline with 5+ years of professional Linux experience, or have 7+ years of professional software, DevOps, or site reliability engineering experience.
- Bring at least 5 years of hands-on experience working with Kubernetes.
- Demonstrate at least 5 years of experience managing Linux operating systems.
- Show proficiency with infrastructure management tools such as Terraform or Ansible.
- Possess experience utilizing containerization technologies like OCI containers and Kubernetes.
- Have scripting experience in languages such as Bash or Python.
- Demonstrate development experience using Python, C++, or Go.
Nice to have
- 5+ years of experience with Python and Python-based development frameworks
- Knowledge of the Linux boot process and systems configuration
- Understanding of distributed databases and data modeling
- Experience using NVIDIA GPU deployment stacks
- Active Top Secret, Top Secret SCI, or DOE Level Q clearance
Benefits
- Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage
- 401(k) retirement plan
- Short and long-term disability insurance and life insurance
- Paid parental leave, vacation, sick leave, and holidays
- Employee Stock Purchase Plan and long-term incentives
- 10% clearance differential up to an additional $20,000 annually for active clearances
Skills and tech stack
Questions candidates ask
What is the salary range for this role?
The pay range for Level 3 is $165,000.00 to $265,000.00. The actual base salary is determined on a case-by-case basis depending on job-related knowledge, skills, education, and experience.
What security clearance is required?
This position requires successfully obtaining and maintaining a Top Secret Security Clearance as a condition of employment. Those with an active clearance will receive a 10% differential once officially briefed into a classified program.
What kind of infrastructure scale will I be working with?
You will design, validate, and productize solutions for AI clusters at a 100k+ GPU scale. This includes managing GPU and CPU infrastructure deployments to Top Secret data centers.
What are the work hour expectations?
You must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed. Travel domestically and globally may also be required in the future.