Smiling but tired. Love this job - Anonymous employee SpaceX Employee Review

5.0
Oct 23, 2018
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

I've never admired a CEO that I've worked for until now. I really dig Musk's leadership and vision for the company. I truly feel like he cares about his workers and that he works hard to make the company succeed. I've always wanted to be a part of the space program. I hope the thrill of being here never goes away. I'm always learning and discovering. I believe this company makes me more competent in my profession. My co-workers are sharp, upbeat, and will always try to help you out. I enjoy their company and it makes facing challenges easier knowing that you have team mates standing shoulder to shoulder with you. The front line supervisors listen to you and are open to new ideas. Also, it's very stimulating to help create a new program or work environment. You can start fresh and lay things out in a helpful and efficient way versus having to deal with the inherited deficiencies of an existing system.

Cons

The pay is lower than my last 3 jobs but the work is much more demanding and challenging (But I'm an adult and I agreed to the terms, if I feel like a sucker then it's my fault) Trying to keep pace is hard on the body. But the hours are reasonable considering the pace and volume of work to be done. I give the company credit for trying to scale back the work week. But the dead lines are still there and have to be met. You have to multitask your tail off and stay on top of your "To Do" list. You can quickly get swamped if you let things slide. Cape Canaveral: You will live in a slow paced area suitable for families or retires. It's harder to have a social life, even if you can make time for it. It's my first small town, it has its' charms and drawbacks. Mostly drawbacks

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5.0
Jun 17, 2026
Anonymous employee
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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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