SpaceX Redmond in 2026: Starlink satellite development, roles, salary, and the Washington campus
SpaceX's Redmond campus is where Starlink lives. While Hawthorne builds rockets and Starbase assembles Starships, the Redmond operation designs, manufactures, and operates the largest satellite constellation in history. Over 6,000 Starlink satellites orbit the Earth as of early 2026, providing broadband internet to 4+ million subscribers across 75 countries. Every one of those satellites was developed, or at least iterated upon, by engineers working in a cluster of buildings in Redmond, Washington, 15 miles east of Seattle.
Redmond is SpaceX's second-largest facility by headcount, with approximately 3,000 employees. The campus has expanded multiple times since SpaceX opened its first Redmond office in 2015, and it now spans several buildings in the Redmond industrial area. The operation covers satellite design, production, testing, network operations, and ground station development.
What SpaceX Redmond does
The Redmond campus is a self-contained satellite operation. Unlike Hawthorne, where work is distributed across launch vehicle and spacecraft programs, Redmond is focused almost entirely on Starlink.
Satellite design engineering. Redmond engineers design the next generation of Starlink satellites. This includes the satellite bus (structure, power, thermal, propulsion), the communications payload (phased array antennas, inter-satellite laser links), and the onboard computing and software. Starlink satellites are designed for mass production, so every design decision is optimized for manufacturability and cost.
Satellite manufacturing. SpaceX builds Starlink satellites on a production line in Redmond that operates more like an automotive factory than a traditional satellite cleanroom. At peak production rates, the line outputs multiple satellites per day. This high-rate manufacturing requires production engineers, technicians, quality inspectors, and supply chain managers.
Satellite testing. Before shipping to a launch site for integration onto a Falcon 9, each satellite undergoes environmental testing: thermal vacuum, vibration, RF performance, and functional checkout. The test team in Redmond runs these campaigns continuously.
Network operations. The Starlink network operations center (NOC) monitors the constellation in real time, manages satellite handoffs between ground stations, coordinates collision avoidance maneuvers, and handles anomaly resolution. The NOC runs 24/7 and employs operations engineers and analysts.
Ground station development. Starlink's ground infrastructure includes over 100 ground stations (gateways) worldwide. Redmond engineers design the gateway hardware, ground antenna systems, and the software that manages satellite-to-ground communication links.
Software development. A significant portion of the Redmond workforce writes software: satellite firmware, ground control software, network routing algorithms, user terminal software, and the tools that manage the constellation. SpaceX runs custom software across the entire Starlink stack, with minimal reliance on third-party products.
Starlink satellite production in Redmond is one of the highest-volume spacecraft manufacturing operations in history. Traditional geostationary communication satellites take years to build. SpaceX builds multiple Starlink satellites per day. This rate is possible because the satellites are designed for production: standardized interfaces, automated test equipment, and a production line that minimizes manual handling. The manufacturing culture at Redmond has more in common with consumer electronics than with traditional aerospace.
Roles at the Redmond campus
| Role | Salary range | Focus area |
|---|---|---|
| RF Engineer | $110K–$175K | Phased array antenna design, link budgets, spectrum management |
| Satellite Systems Engineer | $105K–$180K | Architecture, requirements, integration, mission assurance |
| Embedded Software Engineer | $115K–$195K | Satellite firmware, real-time systems, onboard processing |
| Network Software Engineer | $120K–$200K | Routing algorithms, constellation management, ground software |
| Mechanical Engineer | $95K–$160K | Satellite structure, mechanisms, thermal management |
| Production Engineer | $90K–$150K | Manufacturing process design, production line optimization |
| Power Systems Engineer | $105K–$170K | Solar arrays, batteries, power distribution |
| Optical / Laser Engineer | $115K–$185K | Inter-satellite laser link design, optical communications |
| Test Engineer | $95K–$155K | TVAC, vibration, EMC, functional testing |
| Operations Engineer (NOC) | $90K–$140K | Constellation monitoring, anomaly response, maneuver planning |
| Assembly Technician | $22–$36/hr | Satellite integration, cable harnessing, component installation |
| Quality Inspector | $24–$38/hr | Production quality checks, non-conformance documentation |
Software engineering is the largest discipline at Redmond. Starlink is fundamentally a software-defined network that happens to operate in space. The software engineers who design the routing algorithms, manage satellite handoffs, and optimize network capacity are as critical to Starlink's success as the RF engineers who design the antennas.
RF and antenna engineers are the second-largest group. Starlink's phased array antennas, both on the satellites and in user terminals, are custom-designed and represent some of the most advanced commercial antenna technology in production. The next generation of Starlink antennas uses inter-satellite laser links to reduce ground infrastructure dependence and improve latency.
If you are a software engineer considering SpaceX, Redmond is arguably the best location. The Starlink software team works on distributed systems problems at a scale that few companies can match: routing traffic across thousands of satellites, managing constellation dynamics, and optimizing network performance in real time. The technical challenges are genuinely interesting, and the compensation (base + RSUs) is competitive with mid-tier tech companies while offering a more compelling mission.
Salary and compensation at Redmond
Redmond salaries are influenced by the Seattle-area tech market. SpaceX competes for talent with Amazon, Microsoft, Google, and Blue Origin, all of which have significant operations in the region. This competition pushes SpaceX Redmond salaries higher than Hawthorne for some roles.
| Level | Base salary (Redmond) | RSU annual vesting (est.) | Total comp estimate |
|---|---|---|---|
| New grad (L1) | $105K–$120K | $15K–$25K | $120K–$145K |
| Mid-level (L2, 3-5 yrs) | $135K–$170K | $25K–$50K | $160K–$220K |
| Senior (L3, 6-10 yrs) | $165K–$200K | $40K–$80K | $205K–$280K |
| Staff (L4, 10+ yrs) | $195K–$230K | $60K–$120K | $255K–$350K |
Washington state has no income tax, which gives Redmond employees a meaningful take-home pay advantage over Hawthorne (California income tax 9.3-13.3%). A Redmond engineer earning $160K takes home roughly the same as a Hawthorne engineer earning $185K-$190K.
Living in Redmond and the Eastside
Redmond is part of Seattle's Eastside, a suburban area east of Lake Washington that is also home to Microsoft headquarters, Nintendo of America, and a growing number of tech companies.
| Expense | Redmond / Eastside | Hawthorne, CA | National average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home price | $750,000 | $850,000+ | $420,000 |
| 1BR apartment | $2,000–$2,500/mo | $2,200–$2,800/mo | $1,500/mo |
| State income tax | 0% | 9.3–13.3% | Varies |
| Gas (per gallon) | $4.20 | $4.80 | $3.30 |
Where employees live:
- Redmond — closest to the campus. Suburban, family-friendly, good schools. Microsoft employees are your neighbors.
- Bellevue — upscale Eastside city, 10-15 minutes from the campus. More urban than Redmond, with downtown restaurants and nightlife.
- Kirkland — waterfront community on Lake Washington, 15 minutes from campus. Popular with young professionals.
- Seattle — 20-40 minutes depending on traffic. Urban living with a longer commute. The 520 bridge crossing can be brutal during rush hour.
- Issaquah / Sammamish — farther east, more affordable, more suburban. 20-30 minutes to campus.
The Eastside is expensive but livable on SpaceX salaries, especially with Washington's zero income tax. The area has a strong tech community, excellent outdoor recreation (hiking, skiing, water sports), and a mild climate by Pacific Northwest standards (overcast and rainy in winter, pleasant in summer).
Redmond traffic has gotten worse as tech companies have expanded on the Eastside. The commute from Seattle across the 520 bridge can take 40-60 minutes during peak hours. Most SpaceX Redmond employees who live on the Eastside have commutes under 20 minutes. If you are relocating, living on the Eastside is strongly recommended for quality of life.
Redmond vs. Hawthorne: which to choose
If you have offers from both SpaceX locations or are deciding where to target your application:
Choose Redmond if: You want to work on Starlink (satellites, networking, ground systems), you prefer the Pacific Northwest climate and lifestyle, you are a software or RF engineer, or you value the zero income tax.
Choose Hawthorne if: You want to work on launch vehicles (Falcon 9, Dragon, Starship design), you want to be at the company headquarters where leadership is concentrated, or you are a propulsion, structures, or flight dynamics engineer.
Both locations have the same SpaceX culture, intensity, and compensation structure. The difference is the product: rockets at Hawthorne, satellites at Redmond.
The Starlink Gen2 and V3 satellite transition
Redmond is currently engineering the next generation of Starlink satellites. The Gen2 satellites are larger, more capable, and designed for direct-to-cell service, meaning they can connect directly to unmodified smartphones. This requires more powerful phased array antennas, higher processing capacity, and inter-satellite laser links that can handle increased traffic loads.
The transition from Gen1 to Gen2 satellites has significant implications for Redmond hiring:
- RF and antenna engineers are needed to design the more powerful phased array systems required for direct-to-cell
- Power systems engineers are scaling up solar arrays and battery capacity for the larger satellites
- Production engineers are redesigning the manufacturing line to accommodate the new satellite form factor
- Software engineers are building the network management systems for a constellation that will support both traditional ground terminals and direct smartphone connections
For engineers joining Redmond in 2026, the Gen2 transition means working on a satellite design that is still being refined, not just maintaining a production system. The engineering challenges are active and evolving, which creates more opportunities for meaningful contributions than pure production work.
Starlink's direct-to-cell service, which allows unmodified smartphones to connect to Starlink satellites for texting, voice, and eventually data, represents a new market worth potentially tens of billions in revenue. T-Mobile is the launch partner in the US. The engineering work to make this happen, from the satellite side, is centered at Redmond. This is one of the most commercially significant engineering challenges in the satellite industry today.
How to apply for Redmond positions
All positions are on spacex.com/careers. Filter by Redmond, WA. Roles that are frequently open:
- Software Engineer (multiple specialties)
- RF / Antenna Engineer
- Satellite Systems Engineer
- Production Engineer
- Embedded Systems Engineer
- Network Operations Engineer
- Assembly Technician
For broader satellite and networking opportunities in the space industry, explore satellite operations jobs and satellite internet positions on Zero G Talent.
Frequently asked questions
How many people work at SpaceX Redmond?
Approximately 3,000 employees work at the Redmond campus as of 2026. This includes engineering, manufacturing, operations, and support staff. The headcount has roughly doubled since 2022 as Starlink production and the constellation have scaled.
Is SpaceX Redmond hiring software engineers?
Yes. Software engineering is the largest hiring category at Redmond. Roles span satellite firmware (C/C++), network software (Python, Go), ground control systems, and internal tools. The Starlink team competes with Amazon, Microsoft, and Google for software talent in the Seattle area.
Does SpaceX Redmond manufacture satellites?
Yes. Starlink satellites are manufactured on a production line at the Redmond facility. The operation includes integration, testing, and quality inspection. At peak rates, multiple satellites are completed per day.
What is the work culture at Redmond compared to Hawthorne?
Redmond shares SpaceX's mission-driven, high-intensity culture, but some employees report that the pace is slightly more sustainable than Hawthorne. Work hours are still 50-60 per week, but the Redmond operation benefits from a more mature product (Starlink has been in production for years) and a more structured engineering process.
Can I transfer from Redmond to Hawthorne or vice versa?
Yes. Internal transfers between SpaceX locations are common. After establishing yourself in your role (typically 1-2 years), you can apply for open positions at other SpaceX facilities. Transfers happen in both directions depending on individual career interests.
