Software Engineer - Software Engineer SpaceX Employee Review

4.0
Nov 24, 2016
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Challenging work in an exciting arena. When they say launch party at SpaceX they aren't talking yet another version of yet another GUI, they are really talking launch ... of something with almost two million pounds of thrust that comes back and lands on a boat out in the middle of the ocean. It's super-challenging and super-rewarding. Lots of folks complain about insane hours, but I don't see it. You can't mess about, but the hours and pressures aren't any worse than at any other tech company I've worked for. The technical rewards are much greater, though. I'm happy at SpaceX.

Cons

I'm not a big fan of the open seating arrangement and the parking could be improved. Sometimes managers don't really understand exactly what it is we do, but that isn't unique.

Explore other reviews about SpaceX

5.0
Jul 3, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Learn alot, helpful people, cool mission

Cons

long hours, ambiguous, high turn over

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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