Principal Network Engineer (Starlink Ground Network)

SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP; Palo Alto, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 200,000 - 285,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Vision, Dental

401(k) plan

Stock options

Parental leave

Paid holidays

Job summary

SpaceX is seeking a Principal Network Engineer to drive the operation, build, and deployment of Starlink ground networks globally. You will expand interconnections, optimize performance, and collaborate across hardware, software, and network teams to deliver reliable internet service worldwide.

You should bring 7+ years of enterprise or cloud networking experience, hands-on hardware deployment, and strong scripting skills. Expect domestic and international travel and on-call rotations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a technical or engineering discipline or 2+ years of professional networking experience.
• 7+ years of networking experience deploying enterprise or cloud & web-scale networks.
• Experience deploying networking hardware (Routers, Modems, Switches, Firewalls).

Responsibilities

• Manage and expand network interconnections, co-location sites and POPs.
• Improve network performance and reliability using metrics and capacity planning.
• Lead deployments and optimization for large Starlink customers.
• Collaborate with hardware, software, and network engineers to improve Starlink products.
• Provide pre-sales technical support during sales cycles as a subject matter expert.

Skills

Networking

Enterprise networks

Cloud & web-scale networks

Routing protocols

Linux

Python

Bash scripting

SDN/NFV

Project leadership

Wireless networks

Education

Bachelor’s degree in technical/engineering

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

Observium

SolarWinds

Nagios

Cisco/Juniper/Arista certifications

Job description

Principal Network Engineer (Starlink Ground Network)

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.

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 7M+ 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 Principal Network Engineer, you will drive the operation, build, and deployment of our network around the world. You will be a key component in managing and expanding our global footprint, improving network performance and reliability, and optimizing our deployments.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage and expand network interconnections, network co-location sites and points of presence (POPs)
• Improve network performance and reliability based upon system performance metrics, including capacity planning, failure detection and remediation
• Assist in capacity augmentation and network optimization deployments
• Lead network integration and troubleshooting efforts for the largest and most strategic Starlink customers
• Collaborate with hardware, software, and network engineers to create or improve Starlink products.
• Support sales teams with technical pre-sales support during the sales cycle by acting as the Starlink technical subject matter expert.
• Assist in updating system configuration and firmware
• Automation for network devices, operational and deployment tools
• Assist in architecting how Starlink satellite assets will integrate with more traditional ground networks
• Mentor and train junior network engineers

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in a technical or engineering discipline; OR 2+ years of professional networking experience deploying enterprise network solutions and/or cloud & web-scale networks in lieu of a degree
• 7+ year of networking experience deploying enterprise network solutions and/or cloud & web-scale networks (Internship/Co-op experience recognized)
• Experience with the deployment of networking hardware (Routers, Modems, Switch, Firewalls, etc..)

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Master’s degree in a technical or engineering discipline
• Experience bringing up switches, routers, firewalls & servers
• Operational experience in a Linux production environment
• Experience with Python and/or bash scripting
• Routing Protocol experience
• Experience with physical troubleshooting of fiber & circuits
• Deep understanding of service provider networks including but not limited to:
• Connectivity (Ethernet, IPv4, IPv6 and MPLS)
• Routing (BGP, OSPF, IS-IS)
• Switching and routing
• Internet services (subscriber provisioning, BRAS, DNS, DHCP, NTP)
• Strong familiarity with network health monitoring systems such as Observium, Solarwinds or Nagios
• Experience with hands-on experience bringing up network infrastructure
• Experience creating documentation and procedures
• Ability to run projects independently
• Experience working on wireless networks
• Experience working on software defined networking (SDN) and/or network function virtualization (NFV)
• Cisco, Juniper, Arista or other industry certification

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must be willing to do some travel domestically and globally when needed (primarily for POP deployments & build out)
• Must be available for on-call rotations
• Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Pay range:
Network Engineer/Principal: $200,000.00 - $285,000.00/per year

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, stock options, 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.

• comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage
• access to a 401(k)-retirement plan
• short and long-term disability insurance
• life insurance
• paid parental leave
• various other discounts and perks
• accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation
• 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.

• 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 Afficiative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out [e-mail].