This role pays less than
64%
of similar roles. Most pay
$135,000–$213,250
— the shaded band above.
At the midpoint, this role pays about
$142k
versus about
$174k
for comparable roles.
Based on 240 similar postings.
Employer
About SpaceX
SpaceX designs, manufactures, and launches advanced rockets and spacecraft with the mission of enabling humans to become a multi-planetary species. It operates the Falcon 9, Falcon Heavy, and Starship launch vehicles, as well as the Starlink satellite internet constellation.
SpaceX currently has
704 open roles
on FindRole.
Listed pay typically runs
$130,000–$165,000
across 465 roles with salary data.
Network Engineer, AI Infrastructure (Starshield) joins the Starshield team to manage, build, and deploy data center networks supporting critical national security missions. The role involves designing and productizing high-speed copper and optical connectivity solutions for massive AI clusters, collaborating with machine learning teams to translate workload patterns into interconnect topologies, and building automation tools for network devices. Key responsibilities include monitoring performance, ensuring reliability, managing infrastructure in Top Secret data centers, and performing troubleshooting. Candidates should possess expertise in Layer-1 technologies like DWDM and fiber, as well as networking protocols including Ethernet, IPv4, IPv6, MPLS, BGP, OSPF, and VXLAN. Experience with InfiniBand, NVLink, and NVIDIA GPU deployment stacks is preferred. The role addresses the technical challenge of creating reliable infrastructure for earth observation, communications, and hosted payloads within a secure government-focused framework.
What does a Network Engineer earn?
Median $145000 from 89 postings across 21 companies.
Manage network infrastructure and deployments for Top Secret data centers.
Design and productize high-speed copper and optical connectivity solutions for large-scale AI clusters.
Translate ML training workload patterns into specific interconnect topologies and optical requirements.
Build automation tools for network devices, operations, and deployment processes.
Improve network performance and reliability through capacity planning and failure remediation.
Lead network integration and troubleshooting efforts to ensure system stability.
Update system configurations and firmware across the Starshield network.
What we're looking for
Bachelor's degree in a technical or engineering discipline, or 4+ years of professional networking experience in enterprise, cloud, or web-scale networks.
At least 1 year of networking experience deploying enterprise network solutions and/or cloud and GPU networks.
Layer-1 experience including transport, DWDM, optical fiber, circuit troubleshooting, and activations.
Hands-on experience with the deployment of networking hardware such as routers, modems, switches, and firewalls.
Ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret or Top Secret SCI clearance.
Must be a U.S. citizen, national, lawful permanent resident, or eligible for export control authorizations.
Master's degree in a technical or engineering discipline (preferred).