Sr. Software Infrastructure Engineer (Starlink) - job 1 of 2

As a Sr. Software Infrastructure Engineer at SpaceX, your primary responsibilities include developing automation to manage and deploy compute resources, both on-premises and in the cloud. You'll be tasked with deploying and managing essential infrastructure, working closely with software engineers to create scalable and maintainable products. Additionally, you will be involved in the complete service lifecycle—from design to deployment and operational refinement—ensuring efficient and effective systems for Starlink users.

To qualify for the Sr. Software Infrastructure Engineer position at SpaceX, candidates should possess a Bachelor's degree in computer science or a related engineering discipline, alongside at least 5 years of professional experience in systems administration, site reliability engineering, or DevOps. Alternatively, 7 years of relevant experience may replace the degree requirement. Proficiency with Linux operating systems, containerization tools like Docker and Kubernetes, as well as scripting in Bash or Python, is also essential to succeed in this role.

In the role of Sr. Software Infrastructure Engineer at SpaceX, you’ll work with a variety of technologies including Linux, Docker, Kubernetes, Terraform, and Ansible. You'll leverage these tools to manage large-scale infrastructures and optimize performance. Your exposure will also extend to virtualization technologies and programming languages like Python, enabling you to implement innovative solutions that enhance Starlink's capabilities.

Collaboration is a cornerstone of the Sr. Software Infrastructure Engineer position at SpaceX. You will engage directly with software engineers and other stakeholders to develop scalable, operable, and maintainable products. This interaction is critical for sharing ideas, addressing challenges, and driving improvements throughout the entire service lifecycle of Starlink, fostering an innovative and supportive work environment.

As a Sr. Software Infrastructure Engineer at SpaceX, you can expect a comprehensive benefits package, including a competitive salary range of $170,000 to $230,000, stock options, and various long-term incentives. Additionally, employees enjoy access to medical, dental, and vision coverage, a 401(k) retirement plan, generous paid time off, and an engaging work culture. This supportive environment is designed to foster your professional and personal growth.

Be prepared to share specific examples showcasing your ability to manage and optimize Linux environments. Highlight your familiarity with the command line, system configuration, and troubleshooting techniques, as well as any particular distributions you've worked with.

Discuss your experience with automation tools like Terraform or Ansible. Explain your methods for streamlining deployments and managing infrastructure lifecycles. Use concrete examples to demonstrate how your strategies have improved development processes.

Share your understanding of container orchestration, including how you've deployed, managed, or scaled applications using Docker and Kubernetes. Specific instances of problem-solving in containerized environments will illustrate your expertise.

Outline your proficiency in Python with specific examples of projects where you've implemented Python-based frameworks. Discuss the impact of your work and any relevant libraries or frameworks you are familiar with.

Explain your approach to CI/CD practices, including the tools you utilize to facilitate automation in building, testing, and deploying applications. Highlight successful implementations and their outcomes.

Discuss the monitoring tools and practices you've used to ensure system uptime and performance. Provide examples of troubleshooting methodologies that have helped you resolve issues effectively in previous roles.

Describe how you identify and address performance bottlenecks in software or infrastructure. Use specific scenarios from past projects where you've successfully enhanced performance metrics.

Share your experiences collaborating with cross-functional teams. Highlight how you foster communication, facilitate knowledge sharing, and contribute to joint problem-solving efforts to enhance overall project success.

Discuss your background with database management, including types of databases you’ve used and your techniques for database design and data modeling. Provide examples of how you've integrated databases into larger infrastructure solutions.

Express your passion for technology and innovation, aligning your values with SpaceX's mission. Speak about how the opportunity to work on projects like Starlink excites you and how you believe your skills will contribute to SpaceX's goals.