Network Engineer, AI Infrastructure (Starshield)
About this role
Managing network infrastructure and deployments to Top Secret data centers forms the core of daily operations for the Network Engineer within the Starshield AI Infrastructure team at SpaceX in Redmond, WA. Team members design, validate, and productize high-speed copper and optical connectivity solutions for massive AI clusters while collaborating with machine learning training groups to translate workload communication patterns into concrete interconnect topologies. The group builds highly reliable in-space mesh networks and secure systems supporting national security missions focused on earth observation, communications, and hosted payloads.
Day-to-day work involves monitoring and improving network security, enhancing performance and reliability through capacity planning, and optimizing network deployments. Engineers handle failure detection and remediation while contributing to rapid deployment tools such as ZTP and custom provisioning solutions. Professionals who thrive in this environment combine hands-on hardware deployment skills with deep data center networking knowledge and a readiness to manage infrastructure supporting critical government operations.
What you will do
- Manage network infrastructure and deployments to Top Secret data centers.
- Design, validate, and productize high-speed copper and optical connectivity solutions for AI clusters at a 100k+ GPU scale.
- Collaborate with machine learning training teams to translate workload communication patterns into concrete interconnect topology and optical reconfigurability requirements.
- Contribute to various tools for rapid deployments including zero-touch provisioning and custom provisioning tools.
- Improve network performance and reliability through system performance metrics, capacity planning, failure detection, and remediation.
- Lead network integration and troubleshooting efforts while collaborating with hardware, software, and network engineers.
- Build automation for network devices alongside operational and deployment tools.
What you need
- Bachelor's degree in a technical or engineering discipline, or alternatively four or more years of professional networking experience deploying enterprise network solutions or cloud and web-scale networks in lieu of a degree.
- One or more years of networking experience deploying enterprise network solutions, cloud networks, or GPU networks, where internship and co-op experience qualifies.
- 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 security clearance as a condition of employment.
- Willingness to travel domestically and globally in the future when needed, participate in on-call rotations, and work extended hours and weekends as required.
Nice to have
- Master's degree in a technical or engineering discipline
- Experience with physical troubleshooting of fiber
- Deep understanding of datacenter networks including connectivity, routing, and switching
- Experience implementing network security functions
- Cisco, Juniper, Arista or other industry certification
Benefits
- Company stock or long-term cash awards and potential discretionary bonuses
- Employee Stock Purchase Plan for purchasing additional stock at a discount
- Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage
- 401(k) retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, and life insurance
- Paid parental leave, 3 weeks of paid vacation, and 10 or more paid holidays per year
- Company shuttles for roundtrip travel from select Seattle locations to the Redmond office
Skills and tech stack
Questions candidates ask
What is the location and remote policy for this role?
The position is based in Redmond, WA. The role requires working on-site to manage network infrastructure and deployments to Top Secret data centers.
What is the salary range for this position?
Level 1 pays between $125,000.00 and $165,000.00, while Level 2 pays between $145,000.00 and $200,000.00. Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis based on job-related knowledge, skills, education, and experience.
What security clearance is required for employment?
This position requires successfully obtaining and maintaining a Top Secret Security Clearance as a condition of employment. Those with an active clearance will receive a 10% differential, up to an additional $20,000 annually, once officially briefed into a classified program.
What are the travel and on-call expectations?
Employees must be willing to travel domestically and globally in the future when needed. Additionally, candidates must be available for on-call rotations and willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed.