SpaceX Career - Launch Engineer SpaceX Employee Review

4.0
Sep 22, 2017
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

The biggest pro for me - there is nothing like watching a launch that you were a part of. It doesn't get old. It's just as exciting every time. For each launch, you've poured you energy into improving your existing systems and installing new ones to make every mission easier than the last. The work environment at SpaceX is unlike anywhere else I've worked. You're surrounded by people who are passionate about their jobs and doing what it takes to get to launch. I had gained more responsibility for systems in the first 3 months of my employment here than I had in a year and a half elsewhere. That being said, whenever I need a hand on a project or someone to bounce ideas off of, it is amazing how willing people are to help. From day one, you're working on systems that directly impact launch. You gain independence incredibly quickly, but know that support is available whenever you need a hand on a project or someone to bounce ideas off of. Like any job, there are pros and cons, but I love my job.

Cons

Funding is tight and schedules are aggressive. It can be demoralizing for some projects.

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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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