Satellite On-Orbit Operations Engineer (Starlink)

SATELLITE ON-ORBIT OPERATIONS ENGINEER (STARLINK)

SpaceX is leveraging its experience in building rockets and spacecraft to deploy Starlink, the world’s most advanced broadband internet system. Starlink is the world’s largest satellite constellation and is providing fast, reliable internet to more than 10M+ users worldwide, and that's only scratching the surface of the potential global impact. As we continue to upgrade and expand the constellation, we’re looking for best-in-class engineers to join the team.

As an engineer on this team, you’ll sit at the intersection of electrical, mechanical, and software engineering - ultimately ensuring that hardware on thousands of satellites can robustly serve millions of users worldwide from low-Earth orbit while ensuring collision avoidance and space safety. You will send commands and respond to alerts to sustain peak performance of the largest constellation of satellites in the world. You will work with subsystem responsible engineers, software engineers, guidance navigation and control engineers, and network engineers to develop tools, mitigations, and upgrades to orbital assets. You will define and improve procedures for operating and monitoring new hardware versions, new Starlink satellites, and new satellite capabilities. Your work will feed directly into the designs of next-generation satellites. Through continuous improvement, you will drive changes, automation, and process improvements to achieve the highest reliability with an efficient operator count.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Detect and triage emerging anomalies on satellite bus and payload hardware


• Develop operational processes and strategies for new versions and new performance targets of orbital assets and satellite subsystems within the Starlink network


• Write software deployed (within hours/days) to satellites to automate fault detection and response


• Develop ground software systems that manage vehicle state, streamline commanding, and facilitate deorbits


• Work closely with engineers from adjacent disciplines (mechanical, thermal, software, test engineering, guidance control navigation, network engineering) to deliver high-performance high-reliability network connectivity to users


• Challenge assumptions and work to find simple solutions to complex problems

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science/engineering, electrical engineering, aerospace engineering, physics, or other STEM discipline


• 1+ years of experience with Python, SQL, and/or bash scripting


• Experience working on interdisciplinary engineering projects (software interacting with hardware; hardware interacting with other hardware; testing automation or harnessing)

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Master’s degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, aerospace engineering, or similar engineering degree


• Thorough understanding of hardware reliability and electrical+mechanical failure mechanisms


• Strong understanding of computers, programming languages (Python, C/C++), and formal software development processes


• Experience with troubleshooting complex systems with data analysis


• Experience developing functional test plans or field test operations plans


• Thorough understanding of metrology, sources of measurement error, and uncertainty analysis


• Demonstrated ability to work in a highly cross-functional role

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to work extended hours or weekends as needed for mission critical deadlines


• Ability to work on an “on-call” basis on a weeklong rotational schedule

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock, stock options, or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Employees in Washington State accrue paid sick time in compliance with state and federal law. Company shuttles are offered to employees for roundtrip travel from select Seattle locations to the SpaceX Redmond office Monday to Friday.