Sr. Network Engineer, AI Infrastructure (Starshield)

SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 165,000 - 265,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

401(k) plan

Medical, vision and dental coverage

Paid time off and holidays

Job summary

SpaceX is seeking a Sr. Network Engineer for AI Infra (Starshield) in Washington, DC to lead network design and deployments for high-security data centers.

You will own the network topology, work with ML teams on interconnects, and drive continual improvements in performance and reliability. You will mentor junior engineers, collaborate across hardware and software teams, and help define secure, scalable AI infrastructure for national security missions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a technical or engineering discipline with 5+ years of networking experience deploying enterprise networks or 7+ years without a degree.
• 5+ years of networking experience deploying enterprise networks and/or cloud and GPU networks.
• Hands-on experience deploying networking hardware (routers, switches, firewalls, etc.).

Responsibilities

• Manage network infrastructure and deployments to Top Secret data centers.
• Design, validate, and productize high-speed connectivity for AI clusters (100k+ GPU scale).
• Collaborate with ML teams to translate workloads into interconnect topology and optical requirements.
• Develop tools for rapid deployments (ZTP/custom provisioning).
• Improve network performance and reliability using metrics and capacity planning.
• Assist in capacity augmentation and network optimization deployments.
• Lead network integration and troubleshooting efforts.
• Work with hardware, software, and network engineers to improve Starshield network design.
• Update system configuration and firmware; build automation for devices and deployment tools.
• Mentor junior network engineers and guide the team to technical excellence.

Skills

Networking experience

Data center networks

BGP

OSPF

VXLAN

Top Secret clearance

Hardware deployment

Education

Bachelor's degree in technical/engineering

Master's degree (preferred)

Tools

Cisco

Juniper

Arista

Job description

Washington, DC

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.

SR. NETWORK ENGINEER, AI INFRASTRUCTURE (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. The Starshield team is building highly reliable in-space mesh networks, designing secure systems to guarantee access to space, designing next‑gen communication and sensing software, and more.

As a Network Engineer you will drive the operation, build and deployment of the Starshield data center network, which supports critical national security missions. You and your teammates will own the network design and be responsible for proposing and implementing continual improvements to add more capabilities and customers. You will also be responsible for monitoring and improving network security, improving network performance and reliability, and optimizing network deployments.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Manage network infrastructure and deployments to Top Secret data centers
• Design, validate, and productize high-speed copper and optical connectivity solutions for AI clusters (100k+ GPU scale)
• Collaborate with ML training teams to translate workload communication patterns into concrete interconnect topology and optical reconfigurability requirements.
• Contribute to various tools for rapid deployments (ZTP/custom provisioning tools)
• 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
• Collaborate with hardware, software, and network engineers to improve the Starshield network design
• Assist in updating system configuration and firmware
• Build automation for network devices, operational and deployment tools
• Mentor and train junior network engineers
• As a senior engineer you must lead the team to technical excellence – your decisions guide the team

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in a technical or engineering discipline AND 5+ years of professional networking experience deploying enterprise network solutions or cloud and web‑scale networks; OR 7+ years of professional networking experience deploying enterprise network solutions or cloud and web‑scale networks in lieu of a degree
• 5+ years of networking experience deploying enterprise network solutions and/or cloud and GPU networks (internship/co‑op experience qualifies)
• Hands‑on 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 with physical troubleshooting of fiber
• Deep understanding of datacenter networks including but not limited to:
  • Connectivity (Ethernet, IPv4, IPv6 and MPLS)
  • Routing (BGP, OSPF, VXLAN)
  • Switching and routing
  • InfiniBand/NVLink
• Experience implementing network security functions
• Cisco, Juniper, Arista or other industry certification
• Ability to work independently and in a team, take initiative, and communicate effectively
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret or Top Secret SCI clearance

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• This position requires successfully obtaining and maintaining a Top Secret Security Clearance as a condition of employment. While the clearance may not be immediately necessary upon hire, we encourage you to initiate the application process promptly upon accepting this offer. Your ability to secure the necessary clearance is essential for fulfilling key responsibilities of the role. Should you be unable to obtain it, SpaceX reserves the right to modify or terminate your employment to align with operational needs.
• Must be willing to travel domestically and globally in the future when needed
• Must be available for on‑call rotations
• Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay Range:

Level 3: $165,000.00 - $265,000.00

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