Software Engineer - Platform Infrastructure (Rust, C++)

xai· Engineering
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📍 Palo Alto, California💰 USD 180K–440K

About this role

SpaceXAI’s mission is to create AI systems that can accurately understand the universe and aid humanity in its pursuit of knowledge. Our team is small, highly motivated, and focused on engineering excellence. This organization is for individuals who appreciate challenging themselves and thrive on curiosity. We operate with a flat organizational structure. All employees are expected to be hands-on and to contribute directly to the company’s mission. Leadership is given to those who show initiative and consistently deliver excellence. Work ethic and strong prioritization skills are important. All employees are expected to have strong communication skills. They should be able to concisely and accurately share knowledge with their teammates.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Design, build, and implement a large-scale distributed system that powers one of the world's largest supercomputing clusters.
  • Dive into the low-level stack to profile, debug, and optimize performance across diverse systems, including GPUs, Linux kernel, networking, and filesystems, to achieve peak efficiency.
  • Collaborate on hardware, software, and algorithm co-design to push the boundaries of AI training.
  • Maintain and innovate on our codebase to ensure scalability and reliability.
  • Develop tools to enhance team productivity and streamline workflows.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Systems programming experience in C, C++, or Rust
  • Computer systems fundamentals with a grasp of how computers execute code from transistors to high-level applications.
  • Hands-on expertise with Kubernetes (K8s), including cluster architecture, pod lifecycle, networking (CNI), storage (CSI), service mesh, and production-grade operations

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

  • Collaborate in a fast-paced, open environment to design and foundational systems.
  • Strong debugging skills across the full stack — from kernel and OS up through container orchestration layers
  • Deep knowledge of operating systems internals (process scheduling, memory management, file systems, and synchronization primitives)
  • Proficiency in performance analysis, profiling, and low-level optimization techniques
  • Solid understanding of computer networks and the TCP/IP stack
  • Experience working with Linux kernel concepts or systems-level debugging tools (e.g., perf, gdb, strace, Wireshark)
  • Proficiency deploying and managing workloads using Kubernetes manifests, Helm, Operators, and GitOps workflows
  • Solid understanding of containerization technologies (Docker, containerd, crio) and their interaction with the Linux kernel
  • Experience with observability and monitoring in distributed systems (Prometheus, Grafana, VictoriaMetrics, OpenTelemetry, or similar)

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

$180,000 - $440,000 USD

Base salary is just one part of our total rewards package at xAI, which also includes equity, comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short & long-term disability insurance, life insurance, and various other discounts and perks.

SpaceXAI is an equal opportunity employer. For details on data processing, view our Recruitment Privacy Notice.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the salary for the Software Engineer - Platform Infrastructure (Rust, C++) role at xai?
The listed salary for this Software Engineer - Platform Infrastructure (Rust, C++) position at xai is USD 180K–440K. This is an full-time role.
Where is the Software Engineer - Platform Infrastructure (Rust, C++) position at xai located?
This Software Engineer - Platform Infrastructure (Rust, C++) role at xai is based in Palo Alto, California. The position is listed as on-site or hybrid. Check the full job description or apply directly to confirm the work arrangement.
Which team or department does the Software Engineer - Platform Infrastructure (Rust, C++) at xai belong to?
This Software Engineer - Platform Infrastructure (Rust, C++) position is part of the Engineering department at xai. See the full job description for more information about the team structure and responsibilities.
How do I apply for the Software Engineer - Platform Infrastructure (Rust, C++) position at xai?
Click the "Apply Now" button on this page. You will be redirected to xai's official application portal hosted on greenhouse where you can submit your application directly.
When was the Software Engineer - Platform Infrastructure (Rust, C++) job at xai posted?
This Software Engineer - Platform Infrastructure (Rust, C++) position at xai was posted on Jul 20, 2026. Apply as soon as possible — early applications are often reviewed first.
Software Engineer - Platform Infrastructure (Rust, C++)
xai · 💰 USD 180K–440K
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You'll be redirected to xai's official application page on Greenhouse.