SpaceX

Principal Network Engineer (Starlink Ground Network)

SpaceX$200K — $285K *
Telecommunications & Hardware
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in a technical or engineering discipline or 2+ years of networking experience as a substitute for a degree
  • 7+ years of professional experience with enterprise or cloud/web-scale networks
  • Experience with Layer-1 technologies (transport, DWDM, optical fiber)
  • Proficient in deploying networking hardware (Routers, Modems, Switches, Firewalls)

Responsibilities

  • Manage and expand network interconnections and co-location sites
  • Improve network performance based on system metrics
  • Assist with capacity augmentation and network optimizations
  • Lead network integration efforts for strategic customers
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams on product development
  • Provide technical support during sales cycles as a subject matter expert
  • Automate network device operations and deployment tools
  • Mentor junior engineers

Benefits

  • Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage
  • 401(k) retirement plan
  • Short and long-term disability insurance
  • Life insurance
  • Paid parental leave
  • Accrual of 3 weeks paid vacation and over 10 paid holidays
  • Earned sick leave as per company policy
Full Job Description
PRINCIPAL NETWORK ENGINEER (STARLINK GROUND NETWORK)

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)
  • Layer-1 experience (Example: transport, DWDM, optical fiber, circuit troubleshooting, activations, etc.)
  • 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. 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.

ITAR REQUIREMENTS:
  • 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. a7 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. a7 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.

About SpaceX

SpaceX is an American aerospace manufacturer and space transportation services company founded in 2002 by entrepreneur Elon Musk. The company designs, manufactures, and launches advanced rockets and spacecraft. SpaceX has developed the Falcon 1, Falcon 9, Falcon Heavy, and Dragon spacecraft. The company was founded with the goal of reducing space transportation costs and enabling the colonization of Mars. SpaceX has achieved several milestones in spaceflight, including the first privately-funded liquid-propellant rocket to reach orbit, the first privately-funded company to send a spacecraft to the International Space Station, and the first privately-funded company to send a human-rated spacecraft to orbit.
Learn more about SpaceX
Size
8,000 employees
Industry
Founded
2002

Similar Jobs

More Jobs at SpaceX

More Telecommunications & Hardware Jobs

Find similar Principal Network Engineer (Starlink Ground Network) jobs: