Data Scientist (Starlink)

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.

DATA SCIENTIST (STARLINK)

At SpaceX, we’re leveraging our 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 millions of users worldwide. We design, build, test, and operate all parts of the system – thousands of satellites, consumer receivers that allow users to connect within minutes of unboxing, and the software that brings it all together. We’ve only begun to scratch the surface of Starlink’s potential global impact and are looking for best-in-class engineers to help maximize Starlink’s utility for communities and businesses around the globe. As a Data Scientist, you will be responsible for developing the strategy, key metrics, tools, software services, and processes for assessing how well key aspects of Starlink are scaling and how effective the Starlink Network is itself, in serving tens of millions of users around the globe. You will work with operators, subsystem responsible engineers, software engineers, and network engineers inside the Starlink organization as well as key contacts with various major external partners to help ensure the growth of this program.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Build and maintain mission-critical infrastructure, tools, processes, and custom software to objectively assess growth areas for the Starlink program
• Lead technical investigations about chronic network-level issues
• Automate the aggregation of metrics and detection of widespread application issues across Starlink
• Establish and maintain relationships with key engineering stakeholders
• Apply data analytics, models, and techniques to data products created by space vehicles
• Build ground-based software systems that ingest, transform, and store data
• Fuse data from multiple sources to create usable information

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, data science, physics, mathematics, or a STEM discipline
• 1+ years of professional data/software engineering experience (internship experience is applicable)
• Development experience in an object-oriented programming language (i.e. C, C++, Python)

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Professional experience in analytics, data science, or machine learning
• Ability to take on projects that require taking initiative and developing new expertise
• Ability to work effectively in a dynamic environment that includes working with changing needs and requirements
• Experience building solutions with in-stream data processing of structured and semi-structured data
• Experience building predictive models and machine learning pipelines (clustering analysis, prediction, anomaly detection)
• Experience in custom ETL design, implementation, and maintenance
• Familiarity with the Open Systems Intercommunication (OSI) model and other common networking principles
• Experience using AI tools to accelerate  

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay Range:
Level 1: $125,000.00 - $165,000.00
Level 2: $145,000.00 - $200,000.00

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 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.

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.