Senior Aviation Development Engineer, Networking

SpaceX

Confirmed live 2 days ago High trust

Quick summary

Work type: On-site
Location: Bastrop, TX
Posted: 10 days ago
Freshness: Confirmed live 2 days ago
Nearby: 99+ roles within 25 mi

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Salary context

How this pay compares to similar roles

Similar $165k

$128k most similar roles pay here $199k

This listing doesn't post a salary. Most similar roles pay $137,500–$192,500.

Based on 240 similar postings.

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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.

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At a glance

TL;DR · Senior Aviation Development Engineer, Networking

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Sr. Aviation Development Engineer, Networking (Starlink) joins the team focused on transforming the airline passenger experience through advanced connectivity solutions. This role involves driving requirements for next-generation cabin environments, designing and operating hardware-in-the-loop lab representations of aircraft cabins, and translating flight data into scalable architecture decisions. The engineer will manage technical engagements regarding Wi-Fi 6/6E or Wi-Fi 7 standards, multi-AP coordination, and frequency reuse while ensuring compliance with manufacturing requirements. Key responsibilities include configuring routers and access points, managing IP networking protocols like IPv4/IPv6, and implementing authentication methods such as Passpoint and WPA3-Enterprise. The role requires expertise in RF link budgets, antenna architecture, and signal analysis to solve complex technical challenges involving high-client-density environments and multi-gigabit connectivity for global airline partners within the aviation sector.

Skills

Wi-Fi 6 Wi-Fi 7 IPv4 IPv6 TCP UDP QUIC DHCP DNS NAT RADIUS AAA WPA2 WPA3-Enterprise Passpoint Hotspot 2.0 802.1X QoS VLAN HITL RF Link Budget EMI EMC Packet Capture Microsoft Word

What you'll do

Own cabin connectivity architecture including access-point placement, band planning, frequency reuse, and backhaul to Starlink terminals.
Define and drive technical requirements for next-generation passenger-cabin Wi-Fi systems and multi-AP coordination.
Design, build, and operate hardware-in-the-loop (HITL) lab environments to validate architectures before fleet rollout.
Configure and validate cabin routers and access points including SSID/VLAN management, QoS, and authentication protocols.
Define and verify passenger authentication methods and hotspot security standards like WPA3-Enterprise and Passpoint.
Manage end-to-end IP networking and protocol designs including IPv4/IPv6, DHCP, DNS, and NAT for satellite backhaul.
Translate lab and flight data into actionable requirements, test plans, and design changes for partners.
Lead technical engagement with airline partners to ensure successful service launches and regulatory compliance.

What we're looking for

Bachelor's degree in a STEM discipline.
5+ years of experience in an engineering function or a technical program/product management role.
Must be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, refugee, or asylee to meet ITAR requirements.
Experience in software architecture and protocols, electrical interfaces, wireless data communications, or mechanical structures.
Expertise in Wi-Fi systems design including IEEE 802.11 standards, RF link budgets, and frequency reuse.
Hands-on experience with IP networking, router/AP configuration, and hardware-in-the-loop (HITL) lab environments.
Experience with hotspot security, passenger authentication protocols, and regulatory compliance for aerospace.
Strong communication skills to manage technical programs, documentation, and stakeholder engagement.

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