📍 Job Overview

• Job Title: IT Network Engineer
• Company: SpaceX
• Location: Starbase, TX
• Job Type: On-site
• Category: Network Infrastructure
• Date Posted: August 2, 2025
• Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (5-10 years)

🚀 Role Summary

• SpaceX is revolutionizing space technology and aims to make humanity an interplanetary species. As an IT Network Engineer, you'll play a crucial role in supporting the flight software, avionics, and automation teams by designing, deploying, and maintaining highly-resilient, high-performance networks.
• Key Responsibilities include working closely with other engineers to gather requirements, designing and deploying networks, and driving automation to create solutions for common problems. You'll also define and follow standards, make recommendations for improvements, and work within a diverse group to resolve problems proactively.
• 📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a strong focus on collaboration and adaptability, as you'll be supporting various engineering teams with diverse networking needs in a fast-paced environment.

💻 Primary Responsibilities

• Network Design & Deployment: Gather requirements, design, plan, deploy, and support networks and related technologies that meet the needs of SpaceX engineering teams.
• System Architecture: Build highly-resilient, high-performance, scalable, and flexible systems with a high degree of responsibility for the processes, systems, and tools you create and manage.
• Change Management: Make recommendations, justify, and implement improvements using an accepted change control methodology.
• Problem Resolution: Work within a diverse group to design and deliver creative solutions and resolve problems in a timely and proactive manner by interacting with internal business units.
• Documentation & Standards: Define, document, and follow standards and best practices for systems design, testing, and implementation.
• Automation & Scripting: Drive scripting and automation to develop solutions to common problems and create repeatable, reliable, scalable systems architectures.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in computer science, math, physics, information systems, or other engineering discipline.

Experience: 3+ years of network engineering experience (or 5+ years of experience in lieu of a degree).

Required Skills:

• Expertise in network switches, routers, and firewalls.
• Hands-on experience with Cisco Catalyst and Arista data center class switches, Wave Division Multiplexing, Fiber Optics, DNS, DHCP, SNMP, IP helpers, ARP, CDP, LLDP, BGP routing, and switch port security features.
• Experience with network monitoring tools and Linux/Windows system administration.
• Comfortable working with mission-critical and sensitive systems, with a sense of urgency appropriate to the responsibilities.

Preferred Skills:

• Expertise in creating repeatable, reliable, scalable systems architectures, with high availability, fault tolerance, performance tuning, monitoring, and statistics/metrics collection.
• Expert understanding of the OSI model and network standards.
• Experience with Python scripting and industry-standard certifications such as CCNA, CCNP, or CCIE.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to communicate with internal/external customers, vendors, management, etc., in both formal and informal situations.

📊 Web Portfolio & Project Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrate your experience with network switches, routers, and firewalls through relevant projects and case studies.
• Showcase your expertise in network design, deployment, and maintenance, highlighting your ability to build highly-resilient, high-performance systems.
• Highlight your problem-solving skills and ability to resolve network issues proactively.

Technical Documentation:

• Provide examples of network documentation, including diagrams, flowcharts, and text-based descriptions.
• Demonstrate your understanding of network standards and best practices by including relevant documentation in your portfolio.

📝 Enhancement Note: While a web portfolio is not explicitly required for this role, including relevant network projects and case studies can help showcase your skills and experience effectively.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $120,000 - $180,000 per year (based on experience and market research for network engineering roles in Texas)

Benefits:

• Competitive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.
• 401(k) plan with company match.
• Employee stock purchase plan.
• Generous time-off policies, including paid time off, holidays, and sick leave.
• Tuition reimbursement and professional development opportunities.
• On-site gym, meals, and other perks.

Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours/week) with the possibility of extended hours and weekends as needed.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range is an estimate based on market research for network engineering roles in Texas. Actual compensation may vary depending on factors such as experience, skills, and market conditions.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Aerospace and Space Technology

Company Size: Large (over 6,000 employees)

Founded: 2002

Team Structure:

• The IT Network Engineer role is part of the Information Technology Launch team, supporting various business units, including flight software, avionics, and automation teams.
• The team consists of experienced network engineers, working closely with other engineers to gather requirements, design, plan, deploy, and support networks and related technologies.

Development Methodology:

• SpaceX follows an Agile/Scrum development methodology, with a focus on iterative development, continuous improvement, and collaboration.
• The IT Network Engineer role involves working within a diverse group to design and deliver creative solutions, with a strong emphasis on problem-solving and proactive issue resolution.

Company Website: SpaceX

📝 Enhancement Note: SpaceX's company culture is fast-paced, innovative, and focused on making humanity an interplanetary species. Network engineers play a crucial role in supporting the company's mission by ensuring reliable, high-performance networks for its engineering teams.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Web Technology Career Level: Mid-Senior Level (5-10 years)

Reporting Structure: The IT Network Engineer role reports directly to the IT Manager or a similar role within the Information Technology Launch team.

Technical Impact: This role has a significant technical impact on SpaceX's engineering teams, as it supports the flight software, avionics, and automation teams by designing, deploying, and maintaining highly-resilient, high-performance networks.

Growth Opportunities:

• Technical Growth: As a network engineer at SpaceX, you'll have the opportunity to work with cutting-edge technologies and gain experience in various aspects of network design, deployment, and maintenance. This can lead to specialized roles or architecture positions within the IT department.
• Leadership Growth: With experience and strong performance, you may have the opportunity to take on leadership roles within the IT department, managing teams of network engineers and driving strategic initiatives.
• Career Progression: SpaceX offers opportunities for career progression, with potential paths leading to senior network engineering roles, IT management positions, or other technical leadership roles within the company.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site, with a focus on collaboration and open communication between teams.

Office Location(s): Starbase, TX (Boca Chica Village)

Workspace Context:

• The IT Network Engineer role is based in SpaceX's Starbase facility, where you'll work in an open, collaborative environment with other network engineers and various engineering teams.
• The workspace includes multiple monitors, testing devices, and network monitoring tools to support your work effectively.
• 📝 Enhancement Note: SpaceX's work environment is fast-paced, innovative, and focused on collaboration. Network engineers work closely with other engineers to gather requirements, design, plan, deploy, and support networks and related technologies.

Work Schedule: Full-time (40 hours/week) with the possibility of extended hours and weekends as needed to support mission-critical systems and projects.

📄 Application & Technical Interview Process

Interview Process:

1. Phone Screen: A brief phone call to discuss your experience, skills, and career goals.
2. Technical Assessment: A hands-on technical assessment, focusing on your network engineering skills and problem-solving abilities.
3. On-site Interview: A full-day on-site interview, including meetings with team members, a technical deep dive, and a discussion of your portfolio and career aspirations.
4. Final Decision: A final decision will be made based on your technical skills, cultural fit, and alignment with SpaceX's mission.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight your experience with network switches, routers, and firewalls through relevant projects and case studies.
• Showcase your expertise in network design, deployment, and maintenance, highlighting your ability to build highly-resilient, high-performance systems.
• Include examples of network documentation, such as diagrams, flowcharts, and text-based descriptions, to demonstrate your understanding of network standards and best practices.

Technical Challenge Preparation:

• Brush up on your knowledge of network switches, routers, and firewalls, as well as relevant protocols and standards.
• Practice problem-solving exercises related to network design, deployment, and maintenance to prepare for the technical assessment.
• Familiarize yourself with SpaceX's mission and values, and be prepared to discuss how your skills and experience align with the company's goals.

ATS Keywords: Network Engineering, Routing, Switching, Automation, Network Access Control, Cisco, Arista, BGP Routing, Linux Administration, Windows Administration, Python Scripting, Network Monitoring, DNS, DHCP, SNMP, Documentation, Network Design, Network Deployment, Network Maintenance, Problem Solving, Collaboration, Agile/Scrum Methodology

🛠 Technology Stack & Web Infrastructure

Networking Technologies:

• Cisco Catalyst and Arista data center class switches
• Wave Division Multiplexing and Fiber Optics
• DNS, DHCP, SNMP, IP helpers, ARP, CDP, LLDP, BGP routing
• Switch port security features

Operating Systems:

• Linux/Windows system administration

Scripting Languages:

• Python scripting

Network Monitoring Tools:

• Various network monitoring tools (specific tools not mentioned in the job description)

👥 Team Culture & Values

Network Engineering Values:

• Innovation: SpaceX values innovative solutions to complex networking challenges.
• Collaboration: Network engineers work closely with other engineers to gather requirements, design, plan, deploy, and support networks and related technologies.
• Performance: SpaceX prioritizes high-performance, resilient networks to support its mission-critical systems and projects.
• Documentation: SpaceX emphasizes the importance of clear, concise documentation to ensure knowledge sharing and effective collaboration.

Collaboration Style:

• SpaceX fosters a collaborative work environment, with a strong emphasis on open communication and cross-functional teamwork.
• Network engineers work closely with other engineers to gather requirements, design, plan, deploy, and support networks and related technologies.
• SpaceX encourages knowledge sharing, technical mentoring, and continuous learning to drive innovation and improvement.

📝 Enhancement Note: SpaceX's network engineering team values innovation, collaboration, performance, and documentation. Network engineers work closely with other engineers to gather requirements, design, plan, deploy, and support networks and related technologies, fostering a collaborative and innovative work environment.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site, with a focus on collaboration and open communication between teams.

Office Location(s): Starbase, TX (Boca Chica Village)

Workspace Context:

• The IT Network Engineer role is based in SpaceX's Starbase facility, where you'll work in an open, collaborative environment with other network engineers and various engineering teams.
• The workspace includes multiple monitors, testing devices, and network monitoring tools to support your work effectively.
• 📝 Enhancement Note: SpaceX's work environment is fast-paced, innovative, and focused on collaboration. Network engineers work closely with other engineers to gather requirements, design, plan, deploy, and support networks and related technologies.

Work Schedule: Full-time (40 hours/week) with the possibility of extended hours and weekends as needed to support mission-critical systems and projects.

📄 Application & Technical Interview Process

Interview Process:

1. Phone Screen: A brief phone call to discuss your experience, skills, and career goals.
2. Technical Assessment: A hands-on technical assessment, focusing on your network engineering skills and problem-solving abilities.
3. On-site Interview: A full-day on-site interview, including meetings with team members, a technical deep dive, and a discussion of your portfolio and career aspirations.
4. Final Decision: A final decision will be made based on your technical skills, cultural fit, and alignment with SpaceX's mission.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight your experience with network switches, routers, and firewalls through relevant projects and case studies.
• Showcase your expertise in network design, deployment, and maintenance, highlighting your ability to build highly-resilient, high-performance systems.
• Include examples of network documentation, such as diagrams, flowcharts, and text-based descriptions, to demonstrate your understanding of network standards and best practices.

Technical Challenge Preparation:

• Brush up on your knowledge of network switches, routers, and firewalls, as well as relevant protocols and standards.
• Practice problem-solving exercises related to network design, deployment, and maintenance to prepare for the technical assessment.
• Familiarize yourself with SpaceX's mission and values, and be prepared to discuss how your skills and experience align with the company's goals.

ATS Keywords: Network Engineering, Routing, Switching, Automation, Network Access Control, Cisco, Arista, BGP Routing, Linux Administration, Windows Administration, Python Scripting, Network Monitoring, DNS, DHCP, SNMP, Documentation, Network Design, Network Deployment, Network Maintenance, Problem Solving, Collaboration, Agile/Scrum Methodology

🛠 Technology Stack & Web Infrastructure

Networking Technologies:

• Cisco Catalyst and Arista data center class switches
• Wave Division Multiplexing and Fiber Optics
• DNS, DHCP, SNMP, IP helpers, ARP, CDP, LLDP, BGP routing
• Switch port security features

Operating Systems:

• Linux/Windows system administration

Scripting Languages:

• Python scripting

Network Monitoring Tools:

• Various network monitoring tools (specific tools not mentioned in the job description)

👥 Team Culture & Values

Network Engineering Values:

• Innovation: SpaceX values innovative solutions to complex networking challenges.
• Collaboration: Network engineers work closely with other engineers to gather requirements, design, plan, deploy, and support networks and related technologies.
• Performance: SpaceX prioritizes high-performance, resilient networks to support its mission-critical systems and projects.
• Documentation: SpaceX emphasizes the importance of clear, concise documentation to ensure knowledge sharing and effective collaboration.

Collaboration Style:

• SpaceX fosters a collaborative work environment, with a strong emphasis on open communication and cross-functional teamwork.
• Network engineers work closely with other engineers to gather requirements, design, plan, deploy, and support networks and related technologies.
• SpaceX encourages knowledge sharing, technical mentoring, and continuous learning to drive innovation and improvement.

📝 Enhancement Note: SpaceX's network engineering team values innovation, collaboration, performance, and documentation. Network engineers work closely with other engineers to gather requirements, design, plan, deploy, and support networks and related technologies, fostering a collaborative and innovative work environment.

📊 Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Technical Challenges:

• Network Complexity: SpaceX's mission-critical systems and projects require highly-resilient, high-performance networks that can handle complex traffic patterns and high loads.
• Scalability: As SpaceX continues to grow and expand its operations, network engineers must design and deploy scalable networks that can adapt to changing demands and requirements.
• Innovation: SpaceX values innovative solutions to complex networking challenges, requiring network engineers to stay up-to-date with the latest technologies and best practices.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Technical Skill Development: As a network engineer at SpaceX, you'll have the opportunity to work with cutting-edge technologies and gain experience in various aspects of network design, deployment, and maintenance.
• Conference Attendance: SpaceX encourages employees to attend industry conferences and events to stay up-to-date with the latest technologies and best practices.
• Certification Programs: SpaceX supports employees in pursuing relevant certifications, such as CCNA, CCNP, or CCIE, to enhance their technical skills and knowledge.

💡 Interview Preparation

Technical Questions:

• Networking Fundamentals: Questions related to network switches, routers, and firewalls, as well as relevant protocols and standards.
• Problem-Solving: Scenario-based questions focusing on network design, deployment, and maintenance challenges.
• SpaceX Mission: Questions related to SpaceX's mission and how your skills and experience align with the company's goals.

Company & Culture Questions:

• Team Dynamics: Questions about SpaceX's collaborative work environment and how you would contribute to the team's success.
• Adaptability: Questions about your ability to thrive in a fast-paced, innovative environment and adapt to changing demands and requirements.
• Mission Alignment: Questions about your understanding of SpaceX's mission and how your skills and experience align with the company's goals.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Project Selection: Choose relevant network projects and case studies that demonstrate your expertise in network design, deployment, and maintenance.
• Storytelling: Craft a compelling narrative for each project, highlighting the challenges you faced, the solutions you implemented, and the results you achieved.
• Visual Aids: Use diagrams, flowcharts, and other visual aids to illustrate complex network designs and architectures.

📝 Enhancement Note: SpaceX's interview process focuses on assessing your technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit. By preparing for technical questions related to networking fundamentals, problem-solving, and SpaceX's mission, you'll be well-equipped to succeed in the interview process.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this IT Network Engineer position at SpaceX:

1. Submit Your Application: Click the "Apply" button on the job listing to submit your application through the application link provided.
2. Tailor Your Resume: Highlight your relevant network engineering experience, skills, and accomplishments, focusing on your expertise in network design, deployment, and maintenance.
3. Prepare Your Portfolio: Select relevant network projects and case studies that demonstrate your expertise in network design, deployment, and maintenance, and craft a compelling narrative for each project.
4. Research SpaceX: Familiarize yourself with SpaceX's mission, values, and company culture to ensure a strong fit and alignment with the company's goals.
5. Practice Technical Challenges: Brush up on your knowledge of network switches, routers, and firewalls, as well as relevant protocols and standards, and practice problem-solving exercises related to network design, deployment, and maintenance.

📝 Enhancement Note: SpaceX's application process focuses on assessing your technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit. By tailoring your resume, preparing a strong portfolio, and researching the company, you'll increase your chances of success in the application process.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and web technology industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.