← All roles

Sr. Aviation Development Engineer, Networking (Starlink)

SpaceX· Starlink - Global Operations
Apply on company site
Bastrop, TXFull-timePosted 1mo ago

About the role

Senior engineering role focused on defining cabin connectivity for airline programs, driving HITL lab representations of airline cabins, and translating lab/flight data into scalable architecture decisions for Starlink in commercial aviation.

Responsibilities

  • Own cabin connectivity architecture for assigned airline programs: access-point placement and count, band/channel plan, frequency reuse, client density, QoS, and backhaul to the Starlink terminal
  • Specify and drive next-generation passenger-cabin Wi-Fi requirements (Wi-Fi 6/6E vs Wi-Fi 7, multi-AP coordination, MLO, 6 GHz use in the cabin, coexistence with IFE/crew/ops SSIDs and other RF occupants)
  • Design, stand up, and operate HITL (hardware-in-the-loop) lab environments that represent airline cabins: routers/APs, client devices, authentication backends, traffic generators, and RF/isolation fixtures; use the lab to prove architecture before fleet rollout
  • Configure and validate cabin routers and access points (SSID/VLAN/DHCP/NAT or routed designs, ACLs, QoS, captive portal vs 802.1X/Passpoint, RADIUS/AAA, certificates, roaming)
  • Define and verify passenger authentication and hotspot security: WPA2/WPA3-Enterprise, Passpoint (Hotspot 2.0 / IEEE 802.11u), ANQP, EAP methods (TTLS, TLS, AKA/AKA'), OpenRoaming where relevant, and crew/ops network isolation
  • Work IP networking and protocol design end to end (IPv4/IPv6, routing, DHCP, DNS, NAT, TCP/UDP/QUIC, multicast, DHCP option sets, MTU/MSS, CGNAT implications on satellite backhaul)
  • Turn coverage, throughput, and authentication measurements (lab and aircraft) into requirements, test plans, and design changes for product and airline partners
  • Responsible for the technical engagement and successful Starlink service launch of Starlink with airline partners
  • Establish and maintain comprehensive program governance, delivering accurate, timely reporting to both customer-facing teams and SpaceX leadership
  • Lead strategic program reviews, coordination meetings, and workshops with internal stakeholders, customers, airframe manufacturers, and industry partners
  • Engage with customers during pre-sales to deeply understand requirements and translate them into actionable technical and operational plans
  • Coordinate across company departments, vendors, airframe manufacturers, and partners to prepare technical, compliance, and commercial artifacts for licenses, type approvals, and regulatory audits
  • Navigate complex schedules and project dependencies ensuring a maximally efficient use of SpaceX resources and customer success
  • Work closely with the FAA and other aerospace regulatory bodies to ensure full compliance throughout the customer engagement
  • Manage multiple concurrent projects and provide regular updates on schedule and deliverables to senior management
  • Act as the subject matter expert on the SpaceX Aviation Integration process and create alignment across all partners
  • Work across all stakeholders to ensure feedback is incorporated into project schedules and statement of work

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in a STEM discipline
  • 5+ years of experience in an engineering function (software, network, mechanical, electrical) OR a technical program/product management role focused on bringing programs/products/services to market

Skills

Required:Cabin connectivity architectureWi-Fi standards and designHardware-in-the-loop (HITL) lab designNetwork security and authenticationIP networkingDocumentation and governanceRegulatory compliance and certification

Benefits

  • Competitive compensation
  • Medical, dental, vision benefits
  • 401(k) matching
  • Paid time off and holidays
  • Career growth opportunities
  • Relocation assistance (if applicable)
Last updated Sep 2, 2026. Interested? Apply on the company site.

About SpaceX

defense-aero-and-safetysetter-30setter-30-2026-q1wing-list-2026wing-list-2026-giga-stage
Company profileWebsite

More open roles at SpaceX