Senior Aviation Development Engineer, Networking

SpaceX

Confirmed live yesterday High trust

Quick summary

Work type: On-site
Location: Woodinville, WA
Salary: $135,000–$220,000 / yr
Posted: 10 days ago
Freshness: Confirmed live yesterday
Nearby: 99+ roles within 25 mi

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Competitive pay

How this pay compares to similar roles

Similar $165k

This role $178k

$125k most similar roles pay here $230k

This role pays more than 65% of similar roles. Most pay $137,500–$192,500 — the shaded band above. At the midpoint, this role pays about $178k versus about $165k 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.

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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 a team focused on integrating Starlink technology into aircraft to enhance passenger connectivity. This role involves driving requirements for next-generation cabin environments, designing and operating hardware-in-the-loop lab representations of airline cabins, and translating flight data into scalable architecture decisions. The engineer will manage technical engagements regarding cabin connectivity, including access-point placement, band planning, and frequency reuse. Key responsibilities include configuring routers and access points, managing IP networking protocols like IPv4/IPv6, and ensuring security through WPA3-Enterprise and Passpoint. Candidates must possess expertise in Wi-Fi 6/6E or Wi-Fi 7 standards, RF link budgets, and multi-AP coordination. The role solves the technical challenge of providing high-density, multi-gigabit connectivity for passengers while navigating complex aerospace regulatory requirements and ensuring seamless integration with existing aircraft systems like IFE and crew networks.

Skills

Wi-Fi 6 Wi-Fi 7 802.11 IPv4 IPv6 TCP UDP QUIC DHCP DNS NAT VLAN QoS RADIUS AAA WPA2 WPA3 Passpoint Hotspot 2.0 HITL RF Link Budget Packet Capture EMI/EMC

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, QoS, and authentication protocols.
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 engagements with airline partners to ensure successful Starlink service launches.
Coordinate with regulatory bodies like the FAA to ensure compliance with aerospace standards and certifications.

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, or eligible for export control authorizations.
Experience in Wi-Fi systems design including IEEE 802.11 standards and high-density environment architecture.
Hands-on experience with IP networking, router/AP configuration, and hardware-in-the-loop (HITL) lab environments.
Expertise in hotspot security and passenger authentication protocols such as WPA3-Enterprise and Passpoint.
Experience navigating complex technical programs with aerospace manufacturers and ensuring regulatory compliance.
Strong communication skills to manage documentation, stakeholder engagement, and technical trade-offs.

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