I never want to work anywhere else - Engineer SpaceX Employee Review

5.0
Oct 4, 2017
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The work is highly interesting. The work is also incredibly rewarding because (a) you see it actually fly in a timely manner and (b) you know you are dramatically changing the world for the better. Years in I still find myself awestruck when I walk past a rocket being assembled on my way to lunch, or when I sit in the control room and see something I made do its thing in space. Watching a successful launch and landing is spectacular - it replaces the feelings of nervousness and excitement I used to get watching college football games, except now the outcome actually matters. It feels great to work your butt off, see it succeed, and then celebrate with your co-workers. Everyone believes in the company (it would be hard not to at this point) and it shows. It's also crazy to imagine that when the first human steps on another planet it will most likely be my designs that helped get them there. The company is small enough that you are not a cog in a wheel. I may have one of the more interesting jobs, but on a daily basis my work varies from sketching up high level designs to writing simulations to working hands-on with flight hardware that needs to be integrated tomorrow. It's hard to put this one into words, but there is a kind of freedom to look at the big picture and do things the way you think they should be done without being overly constrained by what worked in the past, while still being given the systems and tools and support you need to ensure a successful outcome.

Cons

It's difficult to plan vacations because the launch schedule is always in flux, and sometimes you have to cancel plans. Also, sometimes you need to sprint so hard you can't even find time to do laundry. The rate of turnover probably makes things harder than they need to be.

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5.0
Jun 17, 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

good place to work and earn money

Cons

Heavy workload and long time work

4.0
Apr 6, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

You learn so much because the work is so freaking intense, its a lot of fun if you're the type of person who loves to get emerged in hard problems. The hours for me were not too bad but I was the exception, all the other interns I was with dealt with 60-70+ hour weeks, some interns came in at 10am and left at 12am, when I say its intense, I'm not joking. This is however very unique to the Starbase location. I've heard Hawthorne is a lot more chill. I honestly despite how challenging the role was always look back on it with a sense of pride in my work, and longing to be back there. It really does feel that you're doing world changing things.

Cons

Very un diverse upper management, I'd say the company is pretty diverse in the lower ranks, but once you start to look at the org chart and see who's in charge, you realize that its mainly just white people. Makes you wonder if as a person of color you too will be able to move up. Housing sucks: there was limited housing on campus for full time employees, you have to wait a year plus to get off the queue and once you're off you only really get tiny homes as the option that are in an inconvenient location. Interns don't even have the option to get on campus housing, they give you 3k in a housing stipend and expect you to find a place in Brownsville. I'd say its very hard to maintain a relationship while working here if you don't have an understanding partner, the work schedule is brutal and you really can't slack off.

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