It looks like SpaceX is preparing to bring Starlink into the world of brick-and-mortar retail. A new job listing for a Starlink Store Manager role in Bakersfield, California, reveals that the company is gearing up to launch its first physical retail store for its satellite-based broadband internet service.
As spotted by X user @xdNiBoR, the job posting describes the new position as responsible for “overseeing day-to-day store operations, managing a team of five or more employees, and ensuring customers have a seamless and informative experience.” The listing adds that Starlink is seeking someone “adept at launching and operating retail locations, and highly skilled in team leadership.”
So far, Starlink has largely relied on a direct-to-consumer model, fulfilling orders online and also distributing hardware through third-party retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, and Sam’s Club. But a physical retail presence would allow SpaceX to showcase Starlink’s capabilities firsthand, allowing prospective customers to see how the system works before signing up.
The expansion comes as Starlink continues to rapidly scale its constellation. SpaceX just launched 28 new satellites in its final September mission, bringing the company closer to its goal of gigabit internet speeds starting in 2026. The satellite network now serves more than seven million users across 150 countries and territories, cementing Starlink as the world’s largest satellite broadband provider.
Retail locations could also play a role in Starlink’s ambitions to beam satellite internet directly to cell phones. SpaceX is rapidly accelerating those plans, having recently spent $17 billion to secure spectrum rights from EchoStar. The company plans to let smartphones connect directly to its satellites for internet connectivity at LTE speeds, an offering that could dramatically expand mobile coverage in underserved areas.
Whether Bakersfield will be the first of many Starlink stores remains to be seen, but the move underscores how SpaceX is evolving its distribution strategy as Starlink pushes toward its next phase of growth.
