Network Engineer (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 service provider 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.

• →Manage and expand network interconnections, network co-location sites and points of presence (POPs)
• →Manage network infrastructure and deployments to Top Secret datacenters
• →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

• Bachelor’s degree in a technical or engineering discipline; OR 4+ years of professional networking experience deploying enterprise network solutions and/or cloud and web-scale networks in lieu of a degree
• 1+ year of networking experience deploying enterprise network solutions and/or cloud and web-scale networks (internship/co-op experience qualifies)
• Layer-1 experience (e.g., transport, DWDM, optical fiber, circuit troubleshooting, activations, etc.)
• Hands on experience with the deployment of networking hardware (routers, modems, switch, firewalls, etc..)

• Master’s degree in a technical or engineering discipline
• 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)
• 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

• 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

• 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 Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to [email protected].