Principal Software Engineer, Power Optimization (Starlink)

SpaceX
Redmond
Workplace: OnsiteFull timeUSD 210,000 - 345,000 annuallyFunction: Software EngineeringExperience: 8+ yearsEducation: bachelorsSkills: ["Ownership","Attention to detail","Communication","Writing","Speaking"]

Build high-performance, safety-critical software for the Starlink Power Optimization team, making billions of operational decisions daily across 10k+ low Earth orbit satellites. Develop power and thermal first-principles physics models, optimize payload utilization under energy and thermal constraints, and design constellation optimization algorithms. Own the full software lifecycle from development through verification, rollout, and monitoring, while partnering with cross-disciplinary engineers on hardware and software tradeoffs.

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FursaFursa
SpaceX
SpaceX
17 hours ago

Principal Software Engineer, Power Optimization (Starlink)

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Source: Company careers pageValidated by: Fursa AI
Last checked: 4 hours agoStatus: Live

Job Summary

Build high-performance, safety-critical software for the Starlink Power Optimization team, making billions of operational decisions daily across 10k+ low Earth orbit satellites. Develop power and thermal first-principles physics models, optimize payload utilization under energy and thermal constraints, and design constellation optimization algorithms. Own the full software lifecycle from development through verification, rollout, and monitoring, while partnering with cross-disciplinary engineers on hardware and software tradeoffs.
Location: Redmond
Workplace: Onsite
Employment Type: Full time
Job Function: Software Engineering
Seniority: Mid level

Key Responsibilities

  • •Write highly reliable ground and vehicle software to control thousands of low Earth orbit satellites.
  • •Develop constellation optimization algorithms with engineers across disciplines to meet operational requirements and physical constraints.
  • •Design future satellite constellations by defining requirements and building simulations for rapid hardware and software tradeoffs.
  • •Own the full lifecycle of software code, including development, testing, verification, rollout, and monitoring.
  • •Participate in code reviews and maintain high standards for code quality.

Pay and Benefits

Salary: USD 210,000 - 345,000 annually
Equity and Bonus:Equity
Perks:Health InsuranceDentalVision401kPaid ParentalLife InsuranceDisability InsurancePaid Leave

Key Requirements

  • •Bachelor’s degree in computer science, engineering, math, or STEM plus 8+ years of professional software development experience solving optimization problems, or 10+ years in lieu of a degree.
  • •Proficiency in C/C++ or another systems programming language (e.g., Rust).
  • •Experience developing software for optimization/constraint problems with strong reliability and correctness expectations.
  • •Strong math and physics knowledge with first-principles thinking for pushing systems to physical limits.
  • •Ability to write performance-oriented code and communicate effectively with engineers across disciplines.
Experience:8+ yearsOptimization problemsSafety-critical softwareSatellitesCommercial space
Education:Bachelor's
Skills:OwnershipAttention to detailCommunicationWritingSpeaking
Tech Stack:C/C++RustProfilersSIMDContinuous integration

Eligibility

Nationality:US National

Company Brief

SpaceX
Designs, manufactures, and launches advanced rockets and spacecraft for commercial and government customers, aiming to reduce space transportation costs and enable human life on Mars through reusable launch vehicles and integrated space systems.
Industry: Aerospace Manufacturing
Company Size: Enterprise (1,001+ employees)
Growth: Established Company
Valuation: Hectocorn (USD 100B+)
Funding: Series E+
Headquarters: Hawthorne, United States
Founded: 2002
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