Great place for space fans - Software Engineer SpaceX Employee Review

5.0
Jan 20, 2022
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

The software process adds a lot of rigor. Most changes require pre-merge and post-merge verification - often on real hardware with simulations in the loop if applicable - and verification steps have to be approved by at least one other person, not just the code itself. Very interdisciplinary - on the software team you may be working with the battery team one day, and working the avionics hardware team and guidance navigation and control (GNC) another. I've learned so much about how spacecraft actually get built and tested by working with the other groups. Everyone is also happy to really explain how their system actually works so you can build a picture of what your code is going to do during tests or flight. Super fast-paced and intellectually honest environment in my division. Everyone on every team is encouraged to question requirements, designs, and test coverage right up until launch, and I've always seen my and other's concerns taken seriously and actually acted upon. Work flexibility - my manager has never minded me working from home or taking time off, even with very short notice. I've never felt pressured to work longer hours than I was working of my own accord. The feeling of seeing a system you helped develop/test work successfully in space.

Cons

In flight software at least on the vehicles I work on, it can often be hard to test your code because our CI system is custom and breaks relatively frequently. When standing up new hardware-in-the-loop testbeds, the testbeds often have issues themselves too, which can cause further difficulties. Work hours can be long, especially before big tests or a launch. I don't find this too bad personally, but I am pretty young and my last job was a much more intense/unhealthy work environment than SpaceX, so I'm probably an outlier in terms of feelings about the work hours.

Explore other reviews about SpaceX

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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