Embedded Software Engineer, Data Center Engineering (Starmind)
SpaceX is hiring an Embedded Software Engineer, Data Center Engineering (Starmind). Level rates it ; you can apply on Level.
AI in this role
Design, validate, and ship embedded software to manage massive AI training and inference compute clusters of GPUs.
SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars.
EMBEDDED SOFTWARE ENGINEER, DATA CENTER ENGINEERING (STARMIND)
The Data Center Engineering team designs training and inference compute clusters from first principles, pushing thermal, electrical, and optical systems to the limit of physics. We operate as a highly cross disciplinary team comprised of mechanical, electrical, optical, and software engineers, all working to maximize the efficiency, reliability, and deployment speed of terrestrial computing to serve rapidly scaling demand.
As an Embedded Software Engineer on our team, you will design, validate, and ship code that reliably and autonomously manages hundreds of thousands of coherently connected GPUs. Your software will span the entire hardware stack from individual firmware ICs up through cluster aggregation networking, ensuring our compute fabric operates at peak efficiency and gracefully handles various fault conditions. To empirically define the limit of physics in our computing hardware, you will also work closely with mechanical, electrical, and optical engineers to develop automated hardware test environments for thermal, radiation, and power testing.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Develop highly reliable, real-time software designed to run on compute tray host systems, baseboard management controllers, network switches, and peripheral rack hardware.
- Participate in and lead architecture, design, and code reviews.
- Develop prototypes and manage experiments to prove out key design concepts.
- Develop tools for software development and deployment, data analysis and visualization, and test execution across multiple environments, including hardware-in-the-loop regression testbeds and in-field testing.
- Deploy reliable software, test execution, and data analysis as part of a continuous integration and release system.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree in computer science, engineering, math, or science discipline; OR 2+ years of professional experience in software development in lieu of a degree (internship experience is applicable).
- Development experience in C, C++, or assembly.
- Experience with application development and distributed systems architecture in a Linux environment.
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
- Strong first-principles problem-solving skills and a focus on designing bug-free, maintainable software;
- Strong professional experience writing C, C++ or assembly in a production environment.
- Developed, debugged and deployed software that has been used in real world hardware applications/projects, especially those for high performance computing infrastructure.
- Creative approach to problem solving, exceptional analytical skills and engineering fundamentals.
- Excellent communication skills both written and verbal.
- Ability to work effectively in a dynamic environment with changing needs and requirements.
- Experience with networking protocols (UDP, TCP/IP, etc.) and distributed systems.
- Experience in security issues associated with distributed systems and internet services.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Ability to work extended hours or weekends as needed for mission critical deadlines
- Ability to travel to up to 30% to support on-site testing at data center facilities
ITAR REQUIREMENTS:
- To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.
SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.
Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX’s Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to EEOCompliance@spacex.com.
How we rate this
Embedded Software Engineer, Data Center Engineering (Starmind) at SpaceX rates 80 out of 100 for how much of the daily work is AI. That makes it Builds AI (AI Level 4 of 4). The level is about AI in the job, not seniority.
Builds AI. The job is building AI systems.
- ●●●● Builds AI80 to 100
- ●●●○ Works on AI60 to 79
- ●●○○ Uses AI40 to 59
- ●○○○ Little AI0 to 39
Levels come from how often the tools, models and workflows of the role are named in the posting itself. Open the description and count.
Prepare for this job
A free preview built only from this posting: what it asks for, what you could be asked in an interview, and how to adjust your resume.
Skills and AI tools this role asks for
Questions you could be asked
- Tell me about a project where embedded systems was part of your work. What did you do?
- Tell me about a project where firmware was part of your work. What did you do?
- Tell me about a project where distributed systems was part of your work. What did you do?
- Tell me about a project where hardware testing was part of your work. What did you do?
- Walk me through how you've used C in your day-to-day work.
Adapt your resume
- List these exact terms on your resume: Embedded Systems, Firmware, Distributed Systems, Hardware Testing, and C. An applicant tracking system matches the wording, not the idea.
- Attach one line of real, concrete experience to at least one of them — a tool named with nothing behind it rarely survives a human read.
- Lead with what you built, trained or shipped — this role is judged on the AI system itself, not the tools around it.
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