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Mission Integration Engineer, Network and Infrastructure (Starshield)

Hawthorne, CA
Full Time On-site

Summary

Job Description

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.

As a member of our Mission Management team, you will help tackle new technical problems from initial requirements verification through rapid prototyping, integrated test, and operational deployment. You'll contribute to the performance and execution of satellite programs while specifically focusing on the ground systems and compute infrastructure that drive, manage, and provide user insight into those programs. You will work to shape customer requirements that maximally leverage SpaceX's capabilities, to drive design choices and work with internal and external stakeholders to drive execution. This work will cover a number of technical disciplines including the planning and deployment of traditional and dedicated compute infrastructure, carrier-grade networking and the secure implementation and execution of each of these discipline areas. Our ideal candidate is a self-starter and is hungry to do work that matters.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Own the architecture design, development, and deployment of critical infrastructure for government satellite programs and secure compute projects.
  • Work as the primary customer interface for coordinating and deploying ground infrastructure.
  • Manage and expand network interconnections, network co-location sites, points of presence (POPs), and satellite ground stations.
  • Manage network infrastructure and deployments to classified data centers.
  • Collaborate with customers, and internal engineering resources to improve the Starshield network design.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Bachelor's degree in computer science, electrical engineering, or other engineering discipline.
  • 2+ years of networking experience.
  • Professional Layer-1 experience (e.g. transport, DWDM, optical fiber, circuit troubleshooting, activations, etc.).
  • Experience bringing up switches, routers, firewalls and/or servers.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE:

  • 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 with physical troubleshooting of fiber & circuits.
  • Familiarity with networking protocols and the OSI Model.
  • Experience with hardware deployments in classified environments.
  • Demonstrated success with projects across multiple technical and non-technical disciplines.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

  • Active Top Secret or Top Secret SCI clearance preferred. Must be willing to pursue a clearance if not already cleared. Note that an active clearance may provide the opportunity for you to work on sensitive SpaceX missions. If so, you will be subject to pre-employment drug and random drug and alcohol testing.
  • Must be available to work extended hours and/or weekends as needed to support critical milestones or operations shifts.
  • Must pass DoD level background checks for entry to various government facilities.
  • Willingness to travel (up to 25%).

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay range:
Mission Integration Engineer/Level I: $100,000.00 - $115,000.00/per year.
Mission Integration Engineer/Level II: $110,000.00 - $135,000.00/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. Those with an active clearance will receive a 10% differential, up to an additional $20,000 annually, once officially briefed into a classified program.

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 & 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. Exempt employees are eligible for 5 days of sick leave per year.

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. Section 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. Section 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.

About SpaceX

SpaceX

SpaceX is one of the most influential aerospace companies in the world, transforming space launch, satellite communications, and deep-space transportation. Founded by Elon Musk, SpaceX designs and manufactures advanced rockets and spacecraft, including Falcon 9, Falcon Heavy, and Starship, alongside the Dragon spacecraft and the Starlink satellite internet constellation. The company plays a major role in U.S. space access, national security launch capabilities, and commercial space infrastructure.

For job seekers, SpaceX offers opportunities across some of the most demanding engineering disciplines in the industry, including aerospace engineering, propulsion, software development, avionics, manufacturing, robotics, materials science, and mission operations. The company is especially attractive to engineers, technicians, and builders who want to work in a high-intensity environment focused on rapid iteration, vertical integration, and hands-on hardware development at scale.

Unlike traditional aerospace contractors that rely heavily on long development cycles, SpaceX operates with a fast-paced, vertically integrated engineering culture where teams design, build, test, and fly systems in rapid succession. Employees often work directly on flight hardware and production systems, contributing to programs that routinely push the boundaries of reusability, launch frequency, and cost reduction in space access.

As global demand for satellite communications, space infrastructure, and national security launch services continues to grow, SpaceX remains one of the most important employers in aerospace and defense-adjacent technology. For professionals seeking a highly challenging, mission-driven career at the cutting edge of spaceflight and advanced engineering, SpaceX stands out as one of the most ambitious and impactful companies in the world.

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