> Markdown version of [/jobs/ext/2712634-principal-network-engineer-starlink-ground-network](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/jobs/ext/2712634-principal-network-engineer-starlink-ground-network). Every page supports `.md` or `Accept: text/markdown`. Links point to the HTML versions so they work for humans too. Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Principal Network Engineer (Starlink Ground Network) - **Company:** Space Exploration Technologies Corp. - **Location:** Palo Alto, CA, United States - **Salary:** $200,000.0 - $285,000.0 - **Contract:** Internship / Graduate position - **Skills:** Bash Shell, Border Gateway Protocol, Cloud Computing, Computer Networks, Modems, System Configuration, Wavelength-Division Multiplexing, Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol, Linux, Domain Name System (DNS), Ethernet, Firmware, Networking Hardware, IPv4, IPv6, Internet Services, Multi-protocol Systems, Python (Programming Language), Nagios, Network Architecture, Network Functions Virtualization, Routing, Network Time Protocols, Open Shortest Path First (OSPF), Wireless Networks, Network Routers, Firewalls (Computer Science), Juniper, SolarWinds (Software), Deployment Automation, Routing & Switching, Cisco, Network Optimization - **Published:** September 4, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.themuse.com/jobs/spacex/principal-network-engineer-starlink-ground-network ## About the Role * Bachelor's degree in a technical or engineering discipline; OR 2+ years of professional networking experience deploying enterprise network solutions and/or cloud & web-scale networks in lieu of a degree * 7+ year of networking experience deploying enterprise network solutions and/or cloud & web-scale networks (Internship/Co-op experience recognized) * Layer-1 experience (Example: transport, DWDM, optical fiber, circuit troubleshooting, activations, etc.) * Experience with the deployment of networking hardware (Routers, Modems, Switch, Firewalls, etc..) PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE: * Master's degree in a technical or engineering discipline * Experience bringing up switches, routers, firewalls & servers * Operational experience in a Linux production environment * Experience with Python and/or bash scripting * Routing Protocol experience * Experience with physical troubleshooting of fiber & circuits * Deep understanding of service provider networks including but not limited to: * Connectivity (Ethernet, IPv4, IPv6 and MPLS) * Routing (BGP, OSPF, IS-IS) * Switching and routing * Internet services (subscriber provisioning, BRAS, DNS, DHCP, NTP) Strong familiarity with network health monitoring systems such as Observium, Solarwinds or Nagios Experience with hands-on experience bringing up network infrastructure Experience creating documentation and procedures Ability to run projects independently Experience working on wireless networks Experience working on software defined networking (SDN) and/or network function virtualization (NFV) Cisco, Juniper, Arista or other industry certification, * 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. ## Description * Manage and expand network interconnections, network co-location sites and points of presence (POPs) * Improve network performance and reliability based upon system performance metrics, including capacity planning, failure detection and remediation * Assist in capacity augmentation and network optimization deployments * Lead network integration and troubleshooting efforts for the largest and most strategic Starlink customers * Collaborate with hardware, software, and network engineers to create or improve Starlink products. * Support sales teams with technical pre-sales support during the sales cycle by acting as the Starlink technical subject matter expert. * Assist in updating system configuration and firmware * Automation for network devices, operational and deployment tools * Assist in architecting how Starlink satellite assets will integrate with more traditional ground networks * Mentor and train junior network engineers ## Related Videos - [How Cisco embraced a DevOps culture within its network engineering team](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/99-how-cisco-embraced-a-devops-culture-within-its-network-engineering-team) - [Small, Secure, Interconnected: The next Internet Protocol](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100062-small-secure-interconnected-the-next-internet-protocol) - [IP Authentication: A Tale of Performance Pitfalls and Challenges in Prod](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1413-ip-authentication-a-tale-of-performance-pitfalls-and-challenges-in-prod) - [IoT: The road to sustainability](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/557-iot-the-road-to-sustainability) - [Computer Vision from the Edge to the Cloud done easy](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/263-computer-vision-from-the-edge-to-the-cloud-done-easy) - [Your Infrastructure Is Not a Playground: AI Agents for Infra Done Right](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/2084-your-infrastructure-is-not-a-playground-ai-agents-for-infra-done-right) ## Related Articles - [How We Built a Worry-Free System That Runs for 10+ Years – And What We’d Do Again](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/751-how-we-built-a-worry-free-system-that-runs-for-10-years-and-what-we-d-do-again) - [Highest Paying Tech Companies for Developers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/220-highest-paying-tech-companies-for-developers) - [Is Software Engineering Over-Saturated?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/418-is-software-engineering-over-saturated) - [The Best Job Search Websites of 2025](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/368-the-best-job-search-websites-of-2025) - [Where to Find Entry-Level Software Engineering Jobs](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/397-where-to-find-entry-level-software-engineering-jobs) - [System change: restart as developer?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/39-system-change-restart-as-developer)