IT Network Infrastructure Engineer, Outside Plant

SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceX in Starbase, Texas, seeks an IT Network Infrastructure Engineer focused on Outside Plant to design, document, and coordinate fiber infrastructure across data centers, facilities, and launch pads. You will produce accurate CAD drawings and GIS data and support field surveys and as-built updates.

The role requires a STEM degree with 5+ years in OSP design or 7+ years without a degree, strong CAD (AutoCAD) and GIS experience, and the ability to travel up to 20% with possible on-call duties.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, computer science, or other STEM discipline and 5+ years of experience in outside plant (OSP) design; OR 7+ years in lieu of a degree.
• Experience using CAD (preferably AutoCAD) for utility/telecom drawings.
• Experience with GIS software (ArcGIS, QGIS, or equivalent) for mapping and spatial analysis.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and revise OSP fiber design drawings, conduit layouts, splice diagrams, and permitting packages in AutoCAD
• Create and maintain GIS-based route maps, asset inventories, and spatial data for fiber pathways, vaults, and handholes
• Assist with field surveys, redline markups, and conversion of field data into final drawings and GIS layers
• Support BOM development, quantity take-offs, and basic loss-budget calculations
• Coordinate with senior engineers, construction teams, and utilities on design changes and as-built updates
• Ensure drawings and GIS data comply with company standards, TIA/BICSI guidelines, and local permitting requirements

Skills

OSP design experience

Attention to detail

Field collaboration

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in STEM field

Tools

AutoCAD

ArcGIS

QGIS

Job description

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.

IT NETWORK INFRASTRUCTURE ENGINEER, OUTSIDE PLANT

The IT Network Infrastructure Engineering team designs and builds critical infrastructure that supports the functionality, growth, and reliability of all networking in the ever-expanding and changing spaceport city of Starbase, Texas. The team plans, designs, and constructs new data centers, manufacturing facilities, logistics warehouses, propellant generation plants, and launch pads for our mission to make life multiplanetary and understand the universe. This role will support the design, documentation, and coordination of outside plant (OSP) fiber optic infrastructure, focusing on producing accurate construction drawings, route maps, and as-built records using CAD and GIS tools.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Prepare and revise OSP fiber design drawings, conduit layouts, splice diagrams, and permitting packages in AutoCAD
• Create and maintain GIS-based route maps, asset inventories, and spatial data for fiber pathways, vaults, and handholes
• Assist with field surveys, redline markups, and conversion of field data into final drawings and GIS layers
• Support BOM development, quantity take-offs, and basic loss-budget calculations
• Coordinate with senior engineers, construction teams, and utilities on design changes and as-built updates
• Ensure drawings and GIS data comply with company standards, TIA/BICSI guidelines, and local permitting requirements

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, computer science, or other STEM discipline and 5+ years of experience in outside plant (OSP) design; OR 7+ years of experience in outside plant (OSP) design in lieu of a degree.
• Experience using CAD (preferably AutoCAD) for utility/telecom drawings.
• Experience with GIS software (ArcGIS, QGIS, or equivalent) for mapping and spatial analysis.

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Strong familiarity of fiber optic OSP concepts such as conduit systems, aerial/buried placement, splicing, and terminations.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to produce clear, accurate technical drawings.
• Prior experience in telecommunications/ISP/IT network infrastructure
• Experience with Google Earth, KML/KMZ files, or CAD-to-GIS data exchange
• Experience designing and building OSP fiber infrastructure for hyperscale AI data centers.
• Experience designing and building OSP fiber infrastructure for industrial facilities such as oil & gas.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Willingness to participate in an after-hours on-call rotation and work extended hours or weekends as necessary.
• Willingness to be in the field working alongside technicians, overseeing contractors, and preparing construction updates.
• Willingness to travel (up to 20%, including flying to other sites worldwide) and potential time at sea supporting marine systems.
• Ability to lift 30 lbs.
• Ability to work at heights.
• Ability to drive (active valid driver's license).
• 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 Aff. Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to [e-mail].