SpaceXSR. NETWORK EDGE ENGINEER (STARLINK)
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 EDGE ENGINEER (STARLINK)
As a Network Edge Engineer at Starlink, you will be instrumental in shaping and implementing the systems, strategies, and partnerships that power Starlink's global connectivity on a worldwide scale. Your role will focus on developing and deploying interconnection infrastructure, including peering, transit, caching, and exchange strategies, to enable Starlink to deliver fast, reliable, and low-latency internet access to millions of users worldwide.
In this role, you will drive strategic and analytical efforts to collaborate with partner teams and content providers, designing and implementing solutions that enhance routing efficiency, minimize transit dependency, optimize network performance, and reduce costs. Your responsibilities will span from identifying and securing global peering opportunities to developing automated tools for streamlining interconnection workflows, ultimately ensuring the delivery of high-quality, cost-effective internet services.
You will collaborate with a cross-functional team of subsystem engineers, software developers, and operations specialists to ensure seamless integration of the interconnection layer into Starlink's broader infrastructure. By leveraging collaboration, automation, and real-time analysis, you will contribute to the evolution of a network that not only connects the most remote locations on Earth but also extends into orbit, pushing the boundaries of global connectivity.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Define and develop projects, milestones, and maintain roadmaps, practicing flexible prioritization and scope management to deliver on program directives
- Lead the strategic evaluation and analysis of peering and transit opportunities, balancing cost efficiency, performance, and routing control across dozens of global markets
- Interact with key stakeholders to identify their desired outcomes, take their inputs and deliver improvements to Peering owned processes
- Build and maintain technical and commercial relationships with global peering partners. Use existing deep industry connections to accelerate execution
- Design and maintain peering policies, including traffic management, route filtering, redundancy planning, and failover strategies
- Collaborate with diverse teams across Starlink to ensure seamless integration of peering implementation
- Lead global IX strategy, including location selection, capacity planning, and onboarding of new interconnects.
- Work with partner teams to automate and operationalize interconnection workflows, including route validation, telemetry, incident response, and lifecycle tracking.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
- 5+ years of experience in network infrastructure (peering, interconnection engineering, backbone architecture)
- Experience working with: BGP, IP routing & network telemetry
- Experience with IXPs (Internet exchange point), colocation environments, optical transport, and traffic engineering strategies
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
10+ years of experience designing, building, and optimizing internet interconnects and peering systems
Experience identifying, negotiating, and executing legal agreements/requirements
Experience with building systems to support and maintain peering/interconnections
Extensive professional network within the global ISP, IXP, and content distribution community
Experience building real-time monitoring and alerting systems for interconnect performance and routing anomalies
Familiarity with Starlink-style distributed systems and the intersection of terrestrial and orbital network layers
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including technical documentation and stakeholder reporting
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Must be willing to do some travel (10-15%) domestically and globally if needed
- Must be available for on-call rotations
- Must be willing to work extended hours as needed
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
Pay Range: Network Engineer/Senior: $160,000.00 - $225,000.00/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 in Washington State accrue paid sick time in compliance with state and federal law. Company shuttles are offered to employees for roundtrip travel from select Seattle locations to the SpaceX Redmond office Monday to Friday.
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. § 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 EEOCompliance@spacex.com.