Sr. Network Engineer, AI Infrastructure (Starshield)
About this role
The Starshield team is building highly reliable in-space mesh networks, designing secure systems to guarantee access to space, and developing next-generation communication and sensing software. Engineers on this team drive the operation, build, and deployment of the data center network supporting critical national security missions leveraging Starlink technology. Daily work involves owning network design, proposing continual improvements, monitoring and improving network security, and optimizing network deployments for large-scale AI clusters.
Candidates stepping into this role will collaborate closely with machine learning training teams, translate workload communication patterns into concrete interconnect topologies, and design high-speed copper and optical connectivity solutions. Ideal candidates bring deep expertise in data center networks, layer-1 experience, and a willingness to lead teams toward technical excellence while managing infrastructure deployments in secure environments.
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 scale of 100k+ GPUs.
- 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 capacity planning, failure detection, and remediation based on system performance metrics.
- Lead network integration, troubleshooting efforts, and the building of automation for network devices and operational tools.
- Mentor and train junior network engineers while guiding the team to technical excellence.
What you need
- Bachelor's degree in a technical or engineering discipline with 5+ years of professional networking experience deploying enterprise network solutions, cloud, or web-scale networks, or 7+ years of experience in lieu of a degree.
- Minimum of 5 years of networking experience deploying enterprise network solutions, cloud networks, or GPU networks, where internship or co-op experience qualifies.
- Layer-1 experience including transport, DWDM, optical fiber, circuit troubleshooting, and activations.
- Hands-on experience deploying 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 needed.
- Must conform to U.S. Government export regulations under ITAR requirements.
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, switching, InfiniBand/NVLink, and NVIDIA GPU deployment stacks
- 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 discounted stock
- Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage
- 401(k) retirement plan
- Short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, and paid parental leave
- 3 weeks of paid vacation, 10 or more paid holidays per year, and paid sick leave
Skills and tech stack
Questions candidates ask
What is the salary range for this role?
The base pay range for Level 3 is $165,000.00 to $270,000.00. Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis based on job-related knowledge, skills, education, and experience.
Are there security clearance requirements?
This position requires successfully obtaining and maintaining a Top Secret Security Clearance as a condition of employment. Applicants must also conform to U.S. Government export regulations under ITAR.
What are the working conditions or schedule expectations?
Candidates must be willing to travel domestically and globally in the future when needed, be available for on-call rotations, and be willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed.