Starlink is stepping beyond online orders and big-box partners. For the first time, SpaceX is preparing to open a dedicated Starlink retail store and it’s hiring someone to run the place. The company just posted a store manager job in Bakersfield, California, offering up to $115,000 per year plus bonuses.
Starlink retail store will focus on dish sales and subscriptions
According to the job listing, the store will employ at least three staffers. Their job? Guide walk-in customers through Starlink hardware, including the Mini dish, and help them choose the right satellite Internet plan. Unlike online orders or bulk retail displays, this approach brings direct education and support into the mix, something Starlink hasn’t done before.
The manager role requires both retail and tech experience
Running the store won’t be a simple sales job. The Starlink manager will need a background that blends technical familiarity with retail leadership. The posting highlights responsibilities like:
- Hiring and managing a team of 3+ employees
- Training staff on all Starlink products and services
- Handling hardware troubleshooting and logistics tools
- Creating strategies to increase store traffic and subscriber adoption
From Costco to California: Starlink changes course
Starlink has been selling gear in major retailers, starting with Costco Japan and later expanding to Walmart, Best Buy, and Home Depot. But this is the first time it’s launching a store of its own, signaling a new phase in SpaceX’s push to become a consumer-facing Internet brand.
Starlink may target 5G next
This move also arrives just as SpaceX readies its V3 cellular satellite constellation and gains access to Dish Network spectrum. Combined, these elements suggest a path toward direct-to-device satellite 5G, with Starlink chips in smartphones and possibly in-store phone sales down the line.
Starlink’s retail era begins
With a six-figure salary on offer and a clear focus on customer education, Starlink isn’t just looking to sell dishes; it’s positioning itself as a full-fledged Internet provider. The move from shelf space to storefront may be the start of something far bigger.
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