SpaceX reviews

3.8

67% would recommend to a friend

(521 total reviews)
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Elon Musk

74% approve of CEO

80% positive business outlook

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521 reviews

Reviews about "Compensation"

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5.0
May 2, 2014
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

In my second year out of school I was designing flight hardware for the Dragon capsule. As an engineer, you get involved in all aspects of your product from design to manufacturing to integration. This is a great place to cut your teeth as a young engineer. Unfortunately, your experience will vary greatly depending on which group you join; not all managers are created equally. Some are great corporate politicans but mediocre engineers. Some know how to get large bonuses for their reports, and others don't. People who like to do things by the book and have everything neatly tied up won't fit in here. You have to accept that everyone is rushing and often shoot from the hip; sometimes the documentation is sloppy or someone makes a mistake. If you don't have the patience to deal with it, you won't last long. ULA is screwed. We will eat their lunch sooner or later, I guarantee it.

Cons

You will probably be somewhat underpaid. Benefits are mediocre. You get thrown in the deep end, sink or swim. There is no hand-holding around here. Often times a square peg is put into a round hole because we just need someone to do the job, and then the hapless assigned person is stuck with it forever.

5.0
Mar 17, 2014
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Work at Spacex is demanding but rewarding. There are few if any other places in the world where you'll find the opportunities Spacex offers. Highlights include: -Incredible opportunities to design, analyze, test and build flight hardware. All in an extremely short time frame, especially for aerospace. Get to truly see your projects cradle to grave. -Unsurpassed learning pace. Easily the fastest I've ever learned. Given the pace of progress and the flexibility expected from engineers you will learn a wide skill set very quickly. -Range of projects. Most employees aren't be doing the same thing every day. Many opportunities to run analysis, conduct testing, manufacture R&D parts, concept designs etc. etc. -Rockets are built in the same building. Very tight feedback loop between engineering and production. Go walk 100ft and see your parts being built or the problem item in person. -Company culture. Relaxed but very motivated with get-things-done attitude. Casual dress code. Silicone valley inspired perks, free coffee, froyo, subsidized food etc. -Company is overall pretty young and most employees are like-minded and amiable.

Cons

-Due to the responsibility placed on each employee work hours can often be long. Generally if you are reasonable about your time this isn't so much an issue. Some days will require longer hours or than normal no doubt. -Compensation is generally competitive but not outstanding considering the hours most employees keep.

5.0
Mar 15, 2014
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

I've been an engineer here for over 3 years now. Nowhere else will an engineer have as large an impact as here. Interns and new employees will be working on important projects right away, and you will see your project launch in months rather than decades. The turnover rate is not as bad as some reviews make it sound. Everyone that I know that has been let go has been given a legitimate chance to turn their performance around. I consider this a pro, because it makes my life harder when I am working with people who don't care about their work. Everyone at SpaceX cares about what they are doing

Cons

Yes, it is a lot of work. If rockets were easy, everyone would do them. If you want to read a book while at work all day, work somewhere else. Having said that, it is easy enough to manage your time once you get settled in. It is difficult at times to find the correct work/life balance, but that is based on the individual

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