seniorspectrumnewspaper – SpaceX appears to be preparing for a new retail strategy focused on dedicated Starlink stores. The company recently posted a job listing for a Starlink Store Manager in Bakersfield, California, signaling a shift beyond third-party retail partnerships.
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According to the listing, the role involves overseeing store operations, managing a team of five or more employees, and ensuring a seamless customer experience. SpaceX also mentions that the ideal candidate should have over four years of retail management experience and be skilled in launching and operating retail locations.
This move hints at the possibility of SpaceX opening a broader network of Starlink stores. The company has traditionally relied on direct-to-consumer sales through Starlink.com and partnerships with major retailers like Best Buy, Walmart, and Home Depot. These stores currently offer Starlink hardware in select locations. But they do not provide the same brand-owned experience a dedicated store would offer.
Bakersfield, with over 417,000 residents, sits just 120 miles north of SpaceX’s main facility in Hawthorne. The location suggests a strategic choice—close enough to headquarters for logistical support. Yet far enough to reach new regional customers.
With over 2 million Starlink customers in the U.S., up from only 10,000 in early 2021, the company is aggressively scaling operations. A physical store could offer a hands-on experience where staff answer questions. Demonstrate devices, and troubleshoot customer issues in real time.
Retail Expansion Could Support SpaceX’s Growing Mobile Connectivity Goals
While the job listing highlights retail goals, the timing suggests broader ambitions. SpaceX’s interest in physical stores may also support its expanding role in mobile connectivity.
Starlink has already partnered with T-Mobile to deliver satellite-based cellular service in areas lacking coverage. Through this partnership, smartphones can connect to Starlink satellites when outside of traditional cell tower range. This early version of satellite-cellular service marks a step toward closing coverage gaps across the country.
However, the job posting arrives just weeks after Elon Musk hinted at deeper moves into the mobile carrier space. In September, SpaceX acquired $17 billion worth of radio spectrum from EchoStar, sparking speculation about launching its own mobile network.
Physical Starlink stores could become a launchpad for marketing these new mobile services. Customers might soon walk into a Starlink store not just to buy satellite internet kits. But also to sign up for wireless plans or explore hybrid connectivity solutions.
If SpaceX follows through with a broader retail rollout, it would mirror strategies seen in traditional telecom. Companies like Verizon and AT&T operate thousands of branded stores, offering both products and live customer support.
SpaceX’s entry into physical retail could signal a maturing phase for Starlink—moving from a niche service to a mainstream telecom competitor. Whether for satellite internet or future mobile plans, direct engagement with customers could give SpaceX a competitive edge in a crowded and fast-evolving connectivity market.
