Network Infrastructure Engineer (Starlink)

As a Network Infrastructure Engineer at SpaceX, you will be tasked with building and managing critical interconnections and infrastructure between ground stations and points of presence. Your responsibilities include deploying circuits, troubleshooting issues with vendors, and aiding in configuration deployments. You’ll also travel to various sites to ensure our infrastructure is operational, while keeping accurate documentation of network deployments.

To qualify for the Network Infrastructure Engineer role at SpaceX, candidates should have at least 2 years of hands-on experience operationalizing large-scale networks. Candidates should possess skills in building and deploying enterprise equipment and should be familiar with service provider networks such as Ethernet, MPLS, BGP, and various internet services. A relevant bachelor’s degree and experience with scripting is preferred.

Yes, the Network Infrastructure Engineer role at SpaceX requires travel both domestically and globally. As you’ll be involved in deploying ground stations and network infrastructure, visiting various sites will be essential to successfully turn up new circuits and meet operational needs.

A Network Infrastructure Engineer at SpaceX can expect a dynamic and fast-paced work environment that fosters innovation and creativity. You'll collaborate with a diverse team of experts and have the opportunity to work with advanced technology while contributing to meaningful projects that expand internet connectivity worldwide.

SpaceX offers a competitive compensation package for Network Infrastructure Engineers, which includes base salary, long-term incentives like stock options, comprehensive health and dental coverage, a retirement plan, and generous paid time off. Additionally, employees enjoy perks like parental leave, paid holidays, and many resources for professional development.

In answering this question, you should focus on specific examples from your past work where you've managed or optimized large-scale networks. Mention the technologies you used, challenges you faced, and how you resolved them. Highlight your role in these projects to demonstrate your hands-on experience.

When troubleshooting network issues, start by gathering data to understand the problem. Describe your systematic approach, such as conducting initial diagnostics, isolating root causes, and testing solutions. Use specific scenarios to showcase your relevant experience and problem-solving skills.

Discuss your hands-on experience with specific models of routers and switches and the protocols you have configured. It’s beneficial to articulate the configurations you performed and any optimization you achieved to demonstrate your technical expertise.

Effective documentation is vital in network engineering. Walk through the process you follow to document configurations, including the tools you use and your methodology for keeping documents up-to-date. Mention how your documentation has helped teams in the past to enhance clarity and efficiency.

Describe your familiarity with operating in data center environments, emphasizing any specific tools or processes you used. Mention how you ensured efficiency, security, and performance of network operations to demonstrate your industry knowledge.

Provide a detailed scenario where you faced significant challenges within a network project. Discuss the steps you took to overcome these challenges, the outcome, and any lessons learned. This helps interviewers understand your capabilities and thought process under pressure.

Talk about your preferred resources for staying updated, such as industry publications, online courses, or conferences. Mention specific technologies you have recently learned about and express your enthusiasm for continuous learning in the ever-evolving field of network infrastructure.

Think of an instance where you worked closely with a vendor. Highlight the communication strategies you employed to ensure a shared understanding of project goals and deadlines, and discuss how this collaboration led to successful outcomes for the deployment.

List programming languages you have experience with, such as Python or Bash scripting, and provide examples of tasks you have automated in previous roles. Emphasize how this automation improved efficiency and reliability in your networking tasks.

Mention specific network monitoring and management tools you have used in your past roles. Describe how you apply these tools to monitor performance, ensure security, and troubleshoot issues effectively, thus demonstrating your expertise in network management technology.