Ground Network Specialist (Starlink)

SpaceX
United States
RemoteCareer-pivot friendly

Who this role is best for

Strong fit for technically hands-on candidates who troubleshoot and maintain telecom infrastructure, with a preference for those experienced in field operations and international travel.

Best fit for

  • Candidates with field technician experience in telecom or internet infrastructure and a willingness to travel internationally.
    — “Travel internationally and domestically to resolve hardware issues affecting Starlink user service”
  • Individuals who have worked with fiber optic systems and can manage complex hardware repairs in remote environments.
    — “Diagnose failures within fiber optic circuits and execute repairs to bring system back to full operation”

Things to consider

  • This role requires significant physical stamina and the ability to work in extreme outdoor conditions.
    — “Typically exposed to work in extreme outdoor environments – heat, cold, rain”
  • The position demands a high level of manual dexterity and color discrimination for precise tasks.
    — “Ability to distinguish between different colors and possess manual dexterity to complete fine motor tasks”
  • The role is heavily travel-dependent, with approximately 75% of the time spent on-site at gateway locations.
    — “Ability to travel as required; travel will be approximately 75% of the time to US or international gateway sites”

How to stand out

  • Emphasize experience with fiber optics and network rack installation in your resume and interview responses.
    — “Experience constructing IT/network racks (UPS, PDUs, cable management, servers, network devices)”
  • Showcase your ability to work in fast-paced, cross-disciplinary teams through specific project examples.
    — “Work effectively in a fast-paced and cross-disciplinary team environment”
  • Include documentation and training experience to demonstrate your contribution to team improvement.
    — “Improve existing, and create new, training documentation for continuous improvement of team skills”
  • Highlight your ability to read and follow electrical/mechanical drawings and schematics in your application materials.
    — “Ability to read, understand, and follow electrical/mechanical drawings and schematics”
  • Demonstrate fluency in multiple languages, as it may be a differentiator for international assignments.
    — “Fluency in languages in addition to English”
Pace · Fast PacedCollaboration · MediumAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · Individual

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

  • deploying and repairing starlink ground hardware
  • troubleshooting and repairing fiber optic circuits
  • improving training documentation
Typical background
2+ years of experience as a mechanic or techniciantelecom or internet service provider experience

Skills & requirements

Required

Mechanic Or Technician ExperienceFiber Optic Circuit TroubleshootingCommercial Network Hardware InvestigationTraining Documentation Creation

Preferred

Low Earth Orbit Tracking Antenna ExperienceFiber Optic Test Equipment UsageIt/network Rack Construction

Stack & domain

Fiber OpticsNetworkTelephonyAVIt/network RacksFacilitiesInfrastructureCWDMDWDMArticulating Boom LiftsForkliftsScissor LiftsLow Voltage AC & DC Power DistributionOhm’s LawMulti-meterCuriousLove To LearnEffective In Team EnvironmentSatelliteInternet

About the role

Original posting from SpaceX via Greenhouse

SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars.

GROUND NETWORK SPECIALIST (STARLINK)

SpaceX is designing, building, and deploying the world’s largest network of ground station antennas – the Starlink gateways. Through our gateways, the Starlink satellite constellation is filling in the gaps in global connectivity. Want to help build the next era of Internet?

We are looking for creative and driven field specialists to solve issues affecting sites and antenna availability. You will become an expert in the hardware and operations of our gateways - just bring your love of cross-disciplinary problem solving! Specialists on this team are curious, love to learn new things, and work effectively in a fast-paced and cross-disciplinary team environment.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Deploy, troubleshoot, and repair Starlink ground hardware as part of a close-knit team of exceptional engineers and specialists

Travel internationally and domestically to resolve hardware issues affecting Starlink user service

Diagnose failures within fiber optic circuits and execute repairs to bring system back to full operation

Investigate and resolve issues with onsite commercial network and routing hardware

Improve existing, and create new, training documentation for continuous improvement of team skills

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

High school diploma or equivalency certificate

2+ years of experience as a mechanic or technician in an engineering field (e.g. telecom, internet service provider, etc.)

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

Strong knowledge of standard computer skills: MS Office, Visio, and web applications

Meticulous attention to detail, standards, and documentation

Ability to read, understand, and follow electrical/mechanical drawings and schematics

Experience in cell tower and site construction or maintenance

Experience with low earth orbit tracking antennas, stabilizers, or VSAT antennas

Experience working with fiber optics; network and telephony installation; and/or AV installation, test, troubleshooting, and repair; using fiber optic test equipment (OTDR, OLS, OPM, VFL)

Experience constructing IT/network racks (UPS, PDUs, cable management, servers, network devices)

Experience with facilities and related infrastructure construction and maintenance (diesel/natural gas generators, DC battery banks, etc.)

Experience installing, activating, or troubleshooting CWDM and/or DWDM using standard fiber equipment and testers

Experience operating articulating boom lifts, forklifts, scissor lifts, and other work site machinery

Experience with low voltage AC & DC power distribution; operational understanding of Ohm’s Law; and the ability to safely use a multi-meter

Fluency in languages in addition to English

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Ability to distinguish between different colors and possess manual dexterity to complete fine motor tasks

Ability to travel as required; travel will be approximately 75% of the time to US or international gateway sites

General physical fitness and the ability to lift up to 50 lbs. is required for some tasks

Ability to perform job duties that require standing, kneeling, crouching, twisting upper body, working in cramped positions in small openings and climbing hand over hand

Ability to work at elevated heights

Typically exposed to work in extreme outdoor environments – heat, cold, rain

Work performed in an environment requiring exposure to fumes, odors, and noise

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay range:          

Level 1: $34.00 - $40.00/hour     

Level 2: $38.00 - $45.00/hour     

Level 3: $42.00 - $51.00/hour       

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock, stock options, or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Employees in Washington State accrue paid sick time in compliance with state and federal law. Company shuttles are offered to employees for roundtrip travel from select Seattle locations to the SpaceX Redmond office Monday to Friday.

ITAR REQUIREMENTS:

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.  

SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX’s Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to EEOCompliance@spacex.com. 

Source: SpaceX careers (Greenhouse)

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