SpaceX Redmond WA in 2026: The Starlink Satellite Factory with 251 Open Jobs
SpaceX Redmond WA in 2026: the Starlink satellite factory with 251 open jobs
SpaceX's Redmond, Washington campus is where Starlink happens. While Hawthorne gets the rockets and Starbase gets the Starship test flights, Redmond is where the satellite constellation that now generates the majority of SpaceX's revenue is designed, built, and operated. With 251 open positions — making it SpaceX's third-largest hiring location — Redmond is one of the best ways into SpaceX if you don't want to live in Southern California or South Texas.
What SpaceX does in Redmond
The Redmond campus handles the full lifecycle of Starlink satellites:
Satellite design and engineering — The hardware and software teams that design each generation of Starlink satellite are based here. This includes the phased array antennas, inter-satellite laser links, propulsion systems, and the flight software that autonomously manages the constellation. SpaceX iterates rapidly on satellite design — Starlink V2 Mini satellites already replaced V1.5, and the larger V2 satellites are launching on Starship.
Satellite manufacturing — SpaceX builds Starlink satellites at a pace that would be unrecognizable to traditional satellite manufacturers. At peak, the Redmond facility was producing multiple satellites per day. The manufacturing floor combines high automation with hands-on assembly — think automotive production line principles applied to spacecraft.
Mission operations — The ground control systems that manage 8,800+ satellites in orbit run from Redmond. This includes constellation management, collision avoidance, deorbit planning, and the network operations that route internet traffic across the constellation.
Starshield — SpaceX's classified government satellite program is also based in the Seattle/Redmond area. Starshield adapts Starlink technology for national security applications and has secured contracts with the National Reconnaissance Office and Space Force.
SpaceX chose Redmond in 2015 because of the Seattle area's deep talent pool in software engineering, satellite communications, and networking — thanks to Microsoft, Amazon, and Boeing's presence. The campus has since expanded significantly across multiple buildings in the Redmond area, plus a nearby facility in Woodinville (35 additional openings).
Open positions breakdown
Of SpaceX's 1,569 total active job listings, 251 are in Redmond and 35 more in nearby Woodinville — about 18% of all SpaceX hiring. Here's what they're looking for:
Software engineering — The largest category in Redmond. Starlink's software stack is enormous: satellite flight software, ground station firmware, constellation management algorithms, networking protocols, user terminal software, and the internal tools that support manufacturing. If you're a software engineer who wants to work on space systems, Redmond is the primary target.
RF and antenna engineering — Starlink's phased array antennas are some of the most advanced mass-produced antenna systems in the world. RF engineers work on beam-forming, interference mitigation, and next-generation antenna designs.
Network engineering — Starlink is fundamentally an internet service provider that happens to use satellites. Network engineers work on routing, bandwidth optimization, peering agreements, and the ground station infrastructure.
Manufacturing engineering — Designing and improving the production processes for satellite assembly at scale. The emphasis is on automation, cycle time reduction, and quality control at volumes the satellite industry has never seen.
Systems engineering — Integration of satellite subsystems, constellation-level performance optimization, and the interface between space segment and ground segment.
Supply chain and operations — Managing the components and materials for high-rate satellite production.
Salary ranges in Redmond
SpaceX's overall average salary across all 1,569 listings is $89,000–$114,000, but Redmond positions tend to skew higher due to the Seattle-area cost of living and the software-heavy role mix.
All full-time exempt employees receive SpaceX stock options. Since SpaceX is private (valued at $350B+), these options are illiquid until an IPO or tender offer — but they can represent a significant portion of total compensation. SpaceX has conducted periodic tender offers allowing employees to sell vested shares.
Compared to Microsoft and Amazon across the street, SpaceX base salaries are lower. But SpaceX equity, if it continues appreciating at historical rates, can close or exceed the gap for long-tenure employees.
Work culture in Redmond
SpaceX's reputation for intense work hours applies in Redmond, though the satellite side is generally described as less extreme than launch vehicle development. Reviews describe:
- Standard hours: 50-55 hours per week for most roles, with spikes during satellite generation transitions or major constellation deployments
- Hardware delivery pressure: When a batch of satellites needs to be ready for a Falcon 9 launch (which happens roughly every 3-4 days), the manufacturing and integration teams work extended hours
- Software pace: Rapid iteration with weekly or biweekly software deployments to the constellation. The software teams move fast by any standard.
The Seattle area provides better quality of life than some other SpaceX locations. Redmond is a suburban tech hub with access to outdoor recreation, reasonable (by SpaceX standards) commute times, and the amenities of the greater Seattle metro.
If you want to work on rockets, you need to be at Hawthorne (Falcon/Dragon), Starbase (Starship), or McGregor (engine testing). If you want to work on satellites, networking, and the commercial internet business that actually generates SpaceX's recurring revenue, Redmond is the place. Many engineers prefer Redmond for the better work-life balance relative to vehicle development sites.
How Redmond compares to other SpaceX locations
| Location | Open Jobs | Focus | Lifestyle |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawthorne, CA | 559 | Falcon, Dragon, HQ | LA metro, high COL |
| Bastrop, TX | 270 | Starship manufacturing | Small-town Texas |
| Redmond, WA | 251 | Starlink satellites | Seattle suburb, tech hub |
| Brownsville, TX | 236 | Starship launch ops | Remote border town |
| Cape Canaveral, FL | 64 | Falcon launch ops | Space Coast, FL |
| Woodinville, WA | 35 | Starlink (overflow) | Seattle suburb |
| McGregor, TX | 27 | Engine/vehicle testing | Rural Central Texas |
| Sunnyvale, CA | 26 | Starshield, satellite ops | Bay Area, very high COL |
| Washington, DC | 20 | Government relations | DC metro |
Redmond offers the best combination of interesting technical work, reasonable cost of living (relative to Hawthorne/Sunnyvale), and proximity to a major metro area. Washington state has no income tax, which means your take-home pay is meaningfully higher than equivalent salaries in California.
How to get a job at SpaceX Redmond
SpaceX posts all positions on spacex.com/careers. For Redmond, filter by the Redmond, WA location. Here's what the process typically looks like:
Online application — Submit through the careers portal. Tailor your resume to the specific role. SpaceX receives thousands of applications per position, so keyword matching and relevant experience are critical.
Recruiter screen — 30-minute phone call covering your background, interest in SpaceX, and basic technical fit.
Technical interviews — 2-4 rounds depending on role. Software engineers get coding challenges and system design questions. Hardware engineers get domain-specific technical problems. SpaceX interviews are known for being practical — they want to see how you think through real engineering problems, not textbook exercises.
On-site (or virtual panel) — Final round with the hiring manager and team members. Expect behavioral questions alongside technical depth.
Offer — Typically extended within 1-2 weeks of final interview. Includes base salary, stock options, and sign-on bonus for competitive candidates.
The entire process usually takes 3-6 weeks. SpaceX moves faster than most aerospace companies but slower than pure tech companies.
Living in Redmond
Redmond sits on the east side of Lake Washington, about 15 miles from downtown Seattle. It's the headquarters of Microsoft and a major presence for Meta, Nintendo of America, and numerous tech companies.
Housing: Median home prices are high ($800K-$1M+), but lower than comparable areas in the Bay Area. Rental apartments run $2,000-$3,000 for a one-bedroom.
Commute: The SpaceX campus is accessible via SR-520 and I-405. Traffic can be heavy during peak hours, but the area is well-served by public transit and bike infrastructure. Microsoft's presence has driven significant transportation investment.
No state income tax: Washington has no personal income tax, which effectively gives you a 5-13% raise compared to equivalent salaries in California, New York, or other high-tax states.
Browse all SpaceX Redmond positions on Zero G Talent (filter by Redmond, WA). For other Seattle-area aerospace employers, see Blue Origin (headquartered in Kent, WA, 969 open jobs) or browse Washington state space jobs.
