Unfortunately, even the "pros" have cons.... the "wow factor" that I described above QUICKLY dissipates once you realize how disorganized it actually is here. For there to be as many military veterans as there are here (I would estimate 75% of working force, NOT engineers), I personally cannot fathom how we let this level of chaos to continue, or even exist for that matter. The fact of the matter is that anyone that is not an engineer is thought of as insignificant. Our opinion or experience does not seem to matter. Technicians are meant to be seen, not heard. And don't be too eager to help other departments or learn other jobs; any help you give will be criticized to the fullest and be re-done by someone from that department anyway, and any initiative to learn other aspects of the company will be met with friction and a general lack of interest in helping you to better yourself or become a more viable member of the SpaceX "team".
The food is available because it effectively enables you to get back to work faster, as opposed to going off base to get lunch or dinner. So although it is a nice perk, the actual reasoning (better personnel productivity) is definitely a slap in the face.
The over-abundance of freshly-graduated engineers (and not yet graduated interns) is mind-blowing. Engineers are necessary, true; but with little to no hands on experience (all they know is what came out of a book) this is a disaster waiting to happen. I am personally witness to a structural engineer who did not know how to operate a hand drill. Scary. A degree to hang on the wall is just that - wall art - until you get some real-world experience behind it, and this industry is way too delicate to be allowing the decision makers and designers of multi-million dollar systems to be learning as they go.
This company has no 401 match. They offer a VERY meager stock bonus when hired, but that is a one time deal. Hourly employees do not have the option of buying more stock. I have heard (cannot confirm either way) that salary employees, engineers of course, do have this option. There are performance based rewards, but why should anyone have to compete with the entire employee pool in order to ensure their family is financially secure in the future? The younger generation might not think this is a big deal, but for those of us that are fully aware of life's time limit, making sure the family is financially secure in my absence is paramount.
The lack of a training program is something else that is bothersome. It seems that when you are hired you are expected to tackle your job full force. For some aspects i would agree, but unless you have worked in the aerospace industry before you really have no idea what that entails, and more instruction and training needs to be given, other than "there's the rocket. go work on it". At a previous employer i have had cumulative totals of over 3 months of general and specialized training within the first year. The best thing going here is a one day per week class on some specific device that you may or may not actually work with. Expand your knowledge, sure, but how long would it take to go through an entire rocket component by component? Familiarity with the equipment you are working on is better for efficiency, personal safety, and the safety of the equipment.
After being here for a short 3 months, i have quickly realized that the potential for advancement relies heavily on 2 things - who you know and whether you can keep your mouth shut about all of the problems. If you try to excel in you role there is no recognition given unless it is something big enough to affect the company's bottom line. So advancement by merit and performance is definitely out. If you are not a member of the "inner circle" then prepare yourself for a long and arduous existence.
As i mentioned earlier, i have only been here for three months, but in that time my schedule has been changed 6 or 7 times, both day and night shift. Other reviews have mentioned the work/life balance issues. The 12 hour shifts are not too terrible, but can we manage to set the schedule for longer that 2 weeks please?
