Principal Network Engineer

About the role

This position focuses on the Starlink ground network, which supports over 7 million users globally. You will oversee the architecture, deployment, and operational health of our worldwide network infrastructure. In this capacity, you will define the technical guardrails that allow our ground segment to scale reliably under extreme demand. You will partner closely with software, hardware, and sales engineering teams to align network capabilities with business objectives. Your work will directly influence the reliability and performance experienced by our customers on every continent. You will own the design decisions that connect satellite assets with terrestrial fiber and data centers. This role requires a balance of strategic planning and hands-on execution to keep our systems online and efficient. You will be expected to challenge existing assumptions and propose robust, future-proof network architectures.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Expand and manage network points of presence, co-location sites, and interconnections while maintaining strict performance standards.
• Monitor system metrics in real time to drive capacity planning, failure remediation, and reliability improvements across the global footprint.
• Lead troubleshooting and integration efforts for strategic Starlink clients, resolving complex issues before they impact service.
• Provide technical expertise during sales cycles to support the business team, translating network constraints into clear customer outcomes.
• Automate network device management and deployment workflows to reduce manual errors and accelerate rollout timelines.
• Integrate satellite assets with traditional ground-based network architectures, ensuring seamless interoperability and redundancy.
• Mentor junior engineers and collaborate with software and hardware teams on product design, elevating the overall technical quality.
• Perform firmware and configuration updates across a diverse set of network equipment, ensuring compliance and stability.
• Design and implement monitoring frameworks that provide actionable insights into latency, throughput, and availability metrics.
• Optimize routing policies to minimize latency and maximize path efficiency between user terminals and core network services.
• Conduct post-incident reviews to identify root causes and implement preventative measures that reduce future risk.
• Coordinate with logistics and operations teams to ensure that network build-outs align with deployment schedules and resource availability.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and vendor solutions, recommending adoption strategies based on cost, performance, and scalability.
• Document network topologies, change procedures, and operational runbooks to ensure knowledge continuity and compliance.

Requirements

• Bachelor degree in a technical field or at least 2 years of professional experience in cloud, web-scale, or enterprise networking.
• Minimum 7 years of total networking experience, including internships or co-ops that contribute to the overall total.
• Proficiency with Layer-1 technologies, including optical fiber, DWDM, and circuit activation methods in production environments.
• Hands-on experience deploying networking hardware such as firewalls, routers, switches, and modems in high-availability configurations.
• Must meet ITAR requirements: U.S. citizen, national, green card holder, refugee, or asylee to ensure compliance with export control regulations.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and make sound technical decisions with minimal supervision.
• Strong understanding of network security principles and the ability to implement secure configurations under pressure.
• Willingness to adhere to SpaceX policies regarding confidentiality, safety, and operational integrity at all times.
• Capability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment while maintaining attention to detail.
• Commitment to maintaining a safe and inclusive work environment, free from discrimination and harassment.

Nice to have

• Master degree in a technical or engineering discipline that provides advanced theoretical knowledge.
• Operational background in Linux production environments, including troubleshooting and performance tuning.
• Coding skills in Python or bash that enable automation and custom tooling for network tasks.
• Knowledge of service provider networks, including IPv4, IPv6, MPLS, Ethernet, and internet services like DNS, DHCP, and NTP.
• Routing protocol expertise with OSPF, BGP, or IS-IS, allowing for complex policy and path optimization.
• Familiarity with monitoring tools such as Nagios, Solarwinds, or Observium for proactive issue detection.
• Experience with wireless networks, SDN, or NFV that can enhance flexibility and reduce operational overhead.
• Industry certifications from Arista, Cisco, or Juniper that validate technical competence and best practices.

Practical notes

• Role requires domestic and global travel for build-outs and POP deployments to ensure timely network expansion.
• Participation in on-call rotations is mandatory to address critical incidents at any time of day or night.
• Expect to work weekends and extended hours as needed to meet project deadlines and respond to emergencies.
• Compensation includes base salary, potential stock options or long-term cash awards, and discretionary bonuses that reward performance.
• Benefits include medical, dental, vision, 401(k), life insurance, disability coverage, paid parental leave, 3 weeks of vacation, and 10+ paid holidays to support work-life balance.
• SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity and inclusion in all employment decisions.