Principal Network Engineer

SpaceX

Confirmed live yesterday High trust

Quick summary

Work type: On-site
Location: Palo Alto, CA
Salary: $200,000–$285,000 / yr
Posted: 106 days ago
Freshness: Confirmed live yesterday
Nearby: 99+ roles within 25 mi

Market check

Salary context

Above market

How this pay compares to similar roles

Similar $155k

This role $242k

$106k most similar roles pay here $304k

This role pays more than 96% of similar roles. Most pay $135,000–$174,600 — the shaded band above. At the midpoint, this role pays about $242k versus about $155k 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 680 open roles on FindRole.

Listed pay typically runs $130,000–$165,000 across 442 roles with salary data.

Most-posted roles

View all roles at SpaceX

At a glance

TL;DR · Principal Network Engineer

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As a Principal Network Engineer (Starlink Ground Network), you will drive the operation, build, and deployment of the global network infrastructure for the Starlink satellite constellation. You will manage and expand network interconnections, co-location sites, and points of presence while improving performance through capacity planning and failure remediation. Your daily work involves leading integration efforts for strategic customers, automating network devices, updating firmware, and mentoring junior engineers. The role requires expertise in Layer-1 technologies like DWDM and optical fiber, as well as experience with routers, switches, firewalls, and Linux environments. You will utilize Python or bash scripting and manage protocols such as BGP, OSPF, and IS-IS. Key technical focus areas include IPv4/IPv6 connectivity, SDN, NFV, and monitoring tools like Solarwinds or Nagios to solve complex ground network integration challenges.

What does a Network Engineer earn?

Median $147000 from 81 postings across 20 companies.

See salary data

Skills

BGP OSPF IS-IS MPLS IPv4 IPv6 Python Bash Linux SDN NFV DWDM Ethernet DNS DHCP NTP Cisco Juniper Arista SolarWinds Nagios Observium

What you'll do

Manage and expand network interconnections, co-location sites, and points of presence globally.
Improve network performance and reliability through capacity planning and failure remediation.
Lead integration and troubleshooting efforts for large and strategic Starlink customers.
Automate network devices, operational tools, and deployment processes.
Architect the integration of satellite assets with traditional ground networks.
Update system configurations and firmware to optimize network operations.
Provide technical pre-sales expertise to support sales teams during the sales cycle.
Mentor and train junior network engineers on technical systems and procedures.

What we're looking for

Bachelor's degree in a technical or engineering discipline, or 2+ years of professional networking experience in lieu of a degree.
At least 7 years of experience deploying enterprise network solutions and/or cloud and web-scale networks.
Experience with Layer-1 technologies including transport, DWDM, optical fiber, and circuit troubleshooting.
Experience deploying networking hardware such as routers, modems, switches, and firewalls.
Proficiency in Linux production environments and scripting using Python or Bash.
Deep understanding of service provider networks, including BGP, OSPF, IS-IS, MPLS, and internet services like DNS and DHCP.
Ability to perform physical troubleshooting of fiber and circuits.
Must be a U.S. citizen, national, lawful permanent resident, or eligible for required export control authorizations.

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