Don't believe all the hype - Rocket Engine Technician SpaceX Employee Review

3.0
23 Aug 2017
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

It was enjoyable working on high end engines and new flight hardware. Great interactions with the engineering team who would listen and take the technicans concerns seriously.

Cons

Forced overtime, poor raises, no path of advancement. Was told in my exit interview that I was expected to make my money in OT not my regular hours.

Explore other reviews about SpaceX

5.0
29 Jun 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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