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Mission Manager, International Systems (Starshield)

Serve as a Mission Manager for Starshield, interfacing with customers and managing technical projects in the aerospace and defense sector.

Location
Hawthorne, CA, United States
Compensation
$165k–$240k/yr
Level
senior
Type
full time

Posted by employer 1 day ago

First seen on Joblaze 1 day ago

Last verified on the company career page 1 day ago

What you'll build

  • Serve as the customer interface at meetings
  • Ensure contract deliverables are completed on-time
  • Support all phases of the program from pre-sales to operations
  • Project manage network centric features for Starshield customers
  • Collaborate with subsystem representatives across team boundaries

Must have

  • Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline
  • 5+ years of experience working in the aerospace or defense industry
  • 5+ years of technical project management and/or systems engineering experience
  • Experience working with satellite communications networks and IP networks

Nice to have

  • Demonstrated ability to work under pressure
  • Proficiency in network engineering (LAN/WAN, routing, IP transit)
  • Data science proficiency (SQL or equivalent)
  • Strong penchant for innovation in process improvement
  • Experience working with foreign governments

Practical constraints

  • Must pass DoD level background checks
  • Ability to travel up to 50% of the time
  • Active Top Secret or TS/SCI clearance, or the ability to obtain one

Requirements

Experience
5+ years
Education
Bachelor's degree

Not disclosed in this posting: work arrangement, visa sponsorship.

Benefits

401k Match Paid Vacation Equity/Stock Options Paid Holidays Health Insurance Parental Leave

Joblaze summary

In the role of Mission Manager for International Systems at SpaceX, the individual will oversee customer interactions and manage the deployment of Starshield communications solutions for government clients. This position requires expertise in satellite communications and technical project management, along with a strong background in aerospace or defense. Ideal candidates will have at least five years of relevant experience and the ability to navigate complex integration processes while collaborating across various engineering disciplines. The role is integral to supporting national security efforts through innovative technology applications.

Joblaze insights

  • Listed yesterday — first seen on Joblaze September 22, 2026. Last confirmed on SpaceX's careers page September 22, 2026.
  • This exact title is also open at 1 other location at SpaceX: Washington DC, United States.
  • Salary band is in line with the typical range for Management roles (median ~$175,000).
  • Starts above 57% of 37 comparable senior management roles in United States that list SQL we track (median $157,000 across 21 companies). See SQL salary trends
  • SQL appears in 6.3% of 784 comparable senior management roles in United States; Satellite Communications appears in 0.1% of 784 comparable senior management roles in United States.

Quick facts

What's the salary range?
SpaceX lists $165,000–$240,000 for this role.
How much experience is required?
At least 5 years of relevant experience for this Mission Manager, International Systems (Starshield) role.
What's the tech stack?
Joblaze extracted these technologies from the posting: IP networks, SQL, Satellite Communications, network engineering.
What seniority level is this role?
SpaceX targets senior candidates for this position.
Is this full-time or contract?
Full-time for this Mission Manager, International Systems (Starshield) role at SpaceX.

From the original posting

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.

MISSION MANAGER, INTERNATIONAL SYSTEMS (STARSHIELD)

Starshield leverages SpaceX’s Starlink technology and launch capability to support national security efforts. While Starlink is designed for consumer and commercial use, Starshield is designed for government use, with an initial focus on earth observation, communications, and hosted payloads.

As a member of our Mission Management team, you will serve as a core point of contact for customers from early education about Starshield communications to supervision of in-depth and scaled deployments of Starshield User Products. You’ll support new business proposals from initial requirements verification through successful integrations of hardware, software, and networks. You’d work within a team of other Mission Integration Engineers and Mission Managers, on the same program and across related efforts, to ensure total alignment of your work. You would also work closely with disciplines across SpaceX such as hardware engineering, software, network operations, security, sales, and account management to ensure customer mission success. Specifically, you will focus on the execution of foreign government and military solutions.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Serve as the customer interface at meetings, tests, and reviews to develop integration plans, assist in architectural overviews, and ensure customer success when building out communications and data systems.
  • Ensure contract deliverables are completed on-time and per customer expectations, distill customer requirements into actionable development objectives.
  • Work with all internal and external stakeholders to drive prototype development. Collaborate with subsystem representatives across team boundaries to consider all necessary trades and ensure end-to-end mission success.
  • Support all phases of the program from pre-sales consultations, integrations, testing, troubleshooting and steady state operations. This will include educating the customer on our designs and methodologies.
  • Project manage network centric features for Starshield customers, interface with network and software engineering teams to develop turnkey solutions for customers using existing products, or spur new product development to fill gaps.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline.
  • 5+ years of experience working in the aerospace or defense industry.
  • 5+ years of technical project management and/or systems engineering experience.
  • Experience working with satellite communications networks and IP networks.

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

  • Demonstrated ability to work under pressure and deliver reliable and expeditious results across multiple parallel priorities.
  • Highly detail oriented, hardworking, and professional with excellent written and verbal technical communication skills.
  • Proficiency in network engineering (LAN/WAN, routing, IP transit)
  • Data science proficiency (SQL or equivalent)
  • Strong penchant for innovation in process improvement and system design.
  • Positive, “can-do” attitude, self-starter, and ability to work in a high pace dynamic environment.
  • Strong analytical, verbal, and written skills.
  • Experience working with foreign governments.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

  • Must pass DoD level background checks for entry into various government facilities.
  • Ability to travel up to 50% of the time.
  • Active Top Secret or TS/SCI clearance, or the ability to obtain one
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay Range:
$165,000.00 - $240,000.00

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 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 accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law.

ITAR REQUIREMENTS:

Standard company text repeated across SpaceX's postings is omitted here.

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