Manufacturing Engineer Interview Experience - Hawthorne, California
March 1, 2020
Neutral ExperienceGot Offer
Process
Multiple phone screens, then all-day onsite with a panel, including 5 1:1s. Questions covered machines and strength of materials. The last interview was with a VP and area managers. Overall, a positive experience, and I got a good idea of the hire/no-hire decision after the presentation.
Questions
Calculate the volume of water on Earth. Explain your process.
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Interview Statistics
The following metrics were computed from 35 interview experiences for the SpaceX Manufacturing Engineer role in Hawthorne, California.
Success Rate
31%
Pass Rate
SpaceX's interview process for their Manufacturing Engineer roles in Hawthorne, California is fairly selective, failing a large portion of engineers who go through it.
Experience Rating
Positive66%
Neutral23%
Negative11%
Candidates reported having very good feelings for SpaceX's Manufacturing Engineer interview process in Hawthorne, California.
SpaceX Work Experiences
4.0
3 month review - Raptor Machining
Manufacturing Engineer • Current Employee
Hawthorne, CA
August 25, 2025
Pros: - A very rewarding job
- A good variety of things in the job where every week is different
- You have the freedom to come up with and work on projects that impact the company
- When you ask, people are happy to teach you about what they do and there are a lot of smart people to learn from
Cons: - Like any SpaceX job, it is a lot of hours.
- You very much so get thrown into the fire at the start, but it gets better after a few months.
5.0
Incredible benefits and mission-driven work, but clout-chasing exists
Manufacturing Engineer • Current Employee
Bastrop, TX
June 10, 2026
Pros: Incredible benefits, career movement that is based on merit, stocks, mission focused, jobs with a measurable purpose, and incredibly passionate individuals
Cons: Clout-chasing and prestige among certain management and team members greatly underestimate the magnitude of scale often.
1.0
No
Manufacturing Engineer • Current Employee
Hawthorne, CA
March 5, 2024
Pros: Everyone was too busy to help you learn anything, and Elon was coked up selling rides around the moon which we could never pull off. I quit pretty quick.
Cons: Oh right, pros means good things. Nope, no pros. Only cons; see above.
- 4.03 month review - Raptor MachiningManufacturing Engineer • Current EmployeeHawthorne, CAAugust 25, 2025Pros: - A very rewarding job - A good variety of things in the job where every week is different - You have the freedom to come up with and work on projects that impact the company - When you ask, people are happy to teach you about what they do and there are a lot of smart people to learn fromCons: - Like any SpaceX job, it is a lot of hours. - You very much so get thrown into the fire at the start, but it gets better after a few months.
- 5.0Incredible benefits and mission-driven work, but clout-chasing existsManufacturing Engineer • Current EmployeeBastrop, TXJune 10, 2026Pros: Incredible benefits, career movement that is based on merit, stocks, mission focused, jobs with a measurable purpose, and incredibly passionate individualsCons: Clout-chasing and prestige among certain management and team members greatly underestimate the magnitude of scale often.
- 1.0NoManufacturing Engineer • Current EmployeeHawthorne, CAMarch 5, 2024Pros: Everyone was too busy to help you learn anything, and Elon was coked up selling rides around the moon which we could never pull off. I quit pretty quick.Cons: Oh right, pros means good things. Nope, no pros. Only cons; see above.
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