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

5.0
Jun 29, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

* **Unmatched Mission & Impact:** You are literally working on rockets and spacecraft. The cool factor is 10/10. * **Brilliant Coworkers:** You will be surrounded by some of the smartest, most driven engineers in the world. * **Insane Career Growth:** SpaceX on your resume is a golden ticket. You will learn more here in 3 months than in 3 years at a normal company. * **Hands-on Experience:** They actually trust interns with real, critical hardware. No boring coffee-fetching tasks.

Cons

**Cons:** * **Zero Work-Life Balance:** 70-80 hours a week is the norm, not the exception. Say goodbye to your social life and sleep. * **Extreme Burnout:** The "hustle culture" is toxic. You are expected to treat the company as your entire life. * **Mediocre Pay:** The hourly pay is average, especially when you factor in the insane hours and the high cost of living in LA/Hawthorne. * **Chaotic Management:** Decisions can change overnight based on whatever Elon Musk tweets or feels like doing that morning.

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