SpaceX Propulsion Engineer interview questions

The interview process was lengthy but thorough: 1) 1hr phone screening of your technical background with an engineer 2) 1hr phone technical/skill assessment with an engineer (material properties, general equation relationships, design challenge hypotheticals etc.) 3) 1hr "on-site" presentation (virtual, due to COVID-19) with team + ~6x 30min technical assessments with engineers and leadership The interviews with SpaceX were difficult but never unreasonable. It is clear from their approach they seek engineers that have: A) A track record of technical solution/product development ownership (“cradle-to-grave”) B) Consistently applied the scientific method, performed FMEA/RCCA, and validated results to resolve design challenges C) An intuitive understanding of the fundamental physics (both breadth and job relevant depth) Because of the level of knowledge mastery required, it is difficult to study for these interviews in advance. My best advice is to spend your time preparing in two ways: - (25% of your time) Brush up on mechanical engineering fundamentals (fluids, thermodynamics, heat and mass transfer, statics/dynamics, materials, and GD&T) especially where you know you have gaps - (75% of your time) Review your past projects and be sure you can discuss and defend your design decisions plus any design flaws both historically (by describing the physics as you applied them at the time) and currently (by describing what you could do better knowing what you know now)

The first interview was basic and quick. The second was with multiple engineers and consisted of technical questions related to your resume experience. Make sure you know SpaceX history, current goals and everything on your resume.