Ground Network Specialist (Starshield)

SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP; Hawthorne (CA); On-site; USD 45,460 - 68,880; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage

401(k) retirement plan

Paid parental leave

Discretionary bonuses

Job summary

SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP is looking for a Ground Network Specialist for their Starshield program. This role involves troubleshooting and repairing ground hardware, requiring travel domestically and internationally. Candidates should have at least 2 years of experience as a technician and a high school diploma.

The position offers competitive compensation ranging from $33 to $50 per hour, based on level, experience, and education. Employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance and paid vacation.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience as a mechanic or technician in an engineering field services environment.
• Demonstrated ability to excel with minimal supervision.
• Ability to obtain and maintain an Active Top Secret clearance.

Responsibilities

• Deploy, troubleshoot, and repair Starshield ground hardware.
• Travel internationally and domestically to resolve hardware issues.
• Improve existing and create new training documentation for continuous improvement.

Skills

Troubleshooting electronics

Communication systems

Avionics hardware

Mechanical skills

Electrical knowledge

Education

High school diploma or equivalency

Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline

Tools

Fiber optic tools

Boom lifts

Forklifts

Scissor lifts

Job description

SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is 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.

GROUND NETWORK SPECIALIST (STARSHIELD)

Starshield leverages SpaceX’s Starlink technology and launch capability to support national security efforts. While Starlink is designed for consumer and commercial use, Starshield is designed for government use, with an initial focus on earth observation, communications, and hosted payloads.

Want to help build out the ground infrastructure that supports these critical systems? We are looking for an autonomous & self‑starting specialist to own the reliability of our global ground station fleet. This unique role encourages domestic and international travel to become an expert in the hardware and operations of our gateways. You will also manage a lab space to develop in‑house hardware solutions. Working on a very small team in a growing program, this is an opportunity to directly impact the evolution of the Starshield ground network.

Responsibilities

• Deploy, troubleshoot, and repair Starshield ground hardware as part of a close‑knit team of exceptional engineers and specialists
• Travel internationally and domestically to resolve hardware issues affecting Starshield user service
• Diagnose failures within fiber optic circuits and antenna hardware and execute repairs to bring the system back to full operation
• Investigate and resolve issues with onsite commercial network and routing hardware
• Improve existing and create new training documentation for continuous improvement of team skills
• Own the Hawthorne lab space, including inventory, tooling, and ground support testing equipment

Basic Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalency certificate
• 2+ years of experience as a mechanic or technician in an engineering field services environment (e.g. telecom, internet service provider, etc.)

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline
• 3+ years of experience troubleshooting electronics, communication systems, or avionics hardware, with a knack for solving complex challenges
• Demonstrated ability to excel with minimal supervision, consistently delivering high‑quality results
• Exceptional attention to detail, ensuring meticulous documentation and adherence to high standards
• Leadership and collaboration skills, inspiring and elevating team members through mentorship and skill‑sharing
• Technical expertise in reading and interpreting electrical/mechanical drawings and schematics
• Hands‑on experience building IT/network racks (UPS, PDUs, cable management, servers, network devices)
• Equipment proficiency, safely operating articulating boom lifts, forklifts, scissor lifts, or similar machinery
• Electrical knowledge, including low voltage AC/DC power distribution, Ohm’s Law, and safe multi‑meter and power supply use
• Ability to obtain and maintain or already possess an Active Top Secret, Top Secret SCI, or DOE Level Q clearance

Additional Requirements

• Active clearance may provide the opportunity to work on sensitive SpaceX missions; if so, subject to pre‑employment drug and random drug and alcohol testing
• Ability to travel as required; travel will be up to 75% of the time to U.S. or international gateway sites
• General physical fitness and the ability to lift up to 50 lbs. is required for some tasks
• Ability to distinguish between different colors and possess manual dexterity to complete fine motor tasks
• Ability to perform job duties that require standing, kneeling, crouching, twisting upper body, working in cramped positions in small openings and climbing hand‑over‑hand
• Ability to work at elevated heights

Compensation and Benefits

Pay Range:
Level 1: $33 — $39 per hour
Level 2: $37 — $44 per hour
Level 3: $41 — $50 per hour

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 accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law.

Those with an active clearance will receive a 10% differential, once officially briefed into a classified program.

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.

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.