Read the new book about Elon - if it inspires you (like it did me), SpaceX is probably for you. - Anonymous employee SpaceX Employee Review

5.0
Jun 22, 2015
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

When I talk about SpaceX, I don't say that it's a peak career experience - I say that it's a peak LIFETIME experience. If SpaceX is for you, it will absolutely positively blow your mind. You will never be the same again, and I mean that in the best way possible. There is a high degree of self-selection in the recruiting process at SpaceX. If you learn about Elon Musk and SpaceX and you are inspired to learn more, inspired to read and absorb everything you can about them, and are willing to do whatever it takes to get hired here, and then do whatever it takes to be successful once you ARE here, then SpaceX is definitely for you. If the preceding verbiage does not describe you, then it's probably not for you, and it's all good either way.

Cons

If SpaceX is your cup of tea, the things about SpaceX that some will describe as 'Cons' or 'Downsides' won't occur for you as such in the least. They are just part of life at the X. The reality of working at SpaceX is that it's an intense place to work. It will call you to bring your A game and find out what you're made of. Sometimes a sprint, sometimes an endurance test, sometimes both, it is a mission more than it is a job. If you're just looking for a job, don't even bother applying at SpaceX. There are many easier ways to make a buck out there. But to my knowledge, there is no company more exciting, inspiring, and awesome in the entire solar system.

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5.0
May 3, 2026
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Pros

Good pay Good experience Hands on work

Cons

Long hours Intense management No sleep

4.0
Apr 6, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

You learn so much because the work is so freaking intense, its a lot of fun if you're the type of person who loves to get emerged in hard problems. The hours for me were not too bad but I was the exception, all the other interns I was with dealt with 60-70+ hour weeks, some interns came in at 10am and left at 12am, when I say its intense, I'm not joking. This is however very unique to the Starbase location. I've heard Hawthorne is a lot more chill. I honestly despite how challenging the role was always look back on it with a sense of pride in my work, and longing to be back there. It really does feel that you're doing world changing things.

Cons

Very un diverse upper management, I'd say the company is pretty diverse in the lower ranks, but once you start to look at the org chart and see who's in charge, you realize that its mainly just white people. Makes you wonder if as a person of color you too will be able to move up. Housing sucks: there was limited housing on campus for full time employees, you have to wait a year plus to get off the queue and once you're off you only really get tiny homes as the option that are in an inconvenient location. Interns don't even have the option to get on campus housing, they give you 3k in a housing stipend and expect you to find a place in Brownsville. I'd say its very hard to maintain a relationship while working here if you don't have an understanding partner, the work schedule is brutal and you really can't slack off.

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