I applied through a recruiter. The process took 3 weeks. I interviewed at SpaceX (Hawthorne, CA) in Sep 2022
Interview
Recruiter reached out via LinkedIn. He was awesome, super informative, and easy to talk to. First and second interviews were phone interviews. The first was more behavioral related to work. The second the was also behavioral but more technical using an example about a valve inspection process and rectifying an issue. The third interview was on site, required a 30 minute presentation on a technical accomplishment to a board, and then 6 individual interviews lasting an hour each. Lunch was provided. The questions were easy, and the groups were not hard to talk to. I left feeling good about the interview. 2 days later I got a generic email that I didn't get the job with no explanation. No sweat off my back, I already have a job.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Work through a situation where a valve has damage in an inspection and needs to be solved with the parts in various stages of production already
Pressure gradient of fluid in a container, what happens to the pressure if you decrease the diameter without decreasing volume
Types of bolt failures
Example of a way you would improve a product and explain how you would determine improvements
I applied online. I interviewed at SpaceX in Mar 2021
Interview
The first round is a recruiter phone screen which is straight forward. The second round is a technical screen with a member of the team. In the second round, they ask you technical questions related to your resume and try to get to know you better. The third interview is with a manager where they ask you fundamental engineering questions about fluids, mechanics of materials, statics, machine design. The feedback is very fast and they basically tell you if you move on at the end of the interview. However, the communication with the recruiter is REALLY BAD. The hiring process is not very transparent and quite honestly a turn off for even applying or interviewing.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
bernoulli's principle, thin-walled pressure vessel, cantilever beam, etc.
Process was very long, but rewarding. Started with a phone screen then a few phone interviews with engineers in the department. Finally invited on site for presentation and full day of interviews. Got to see the facilities and meet many different engineers.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
What was the most technical project you have ever completed?