Process
The process includes:
- One call with a technical recruiter
- Two calls with engineers
- A site visit with a presentation
- About a half dozen more interviews
The process will stop as soon as anyone says no.
Questions
Why do you want to work at SpaceX?
(They care more about this question than most companies.)
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Interview Statistics
The following metrics were computed from 146 interview experiences for the SpaceX Mechanical Engineer role in United States.
Success Rate
8%
Pass Rate
SpaceX's interview process for their Mechanical Engineer roles in the United States is extremely selective, failing the vast majority of engineers.
Experience Rating
Positive45%
Neutral41%
Negative14%
Candidates reported having very good feelings for SpaceX's Mechanical Engineer interview process in United States.
SpaceX Work Experiences
2.0
Not for everyone
Mechanical Engineer • Current Employee
Cape Canaveral, FL
July 21, 2024
Pros: Very fast paced, and not a lot of oversight when you make design changes, which can be a blessing or a curse.
Cons: No work life balance. In order to be successful, you need to be available/on call 24/7 and work most weekends and holidays. Every year, they are required to fire 10% of the employees, so if you're not a workaholic, you'll eventually get fired.
3.0
Difficult work, but stock ended up well worth it in the end
Mechanical Engineer • Former Employee
Hawthorne, CA
August 25, 2026
Pros: Stock is really worth it in the long term, and it pays for some of the pain. It is a wonderful place to start a career and learn new things fast.
Cons: 1 year at spacex drains 2-3 years of your life
5.0
Great Place
Mechanical Engineer • Current Employee
October 7, 2024
Pros: A good amount of responsibility and ownership.
Cons: It can be a lot of work and exhausting.
- 2.0Not for everyoneMechanical Engineer • Current EmployeeCape Canaveral, FLJuly 21, 2024Pros: Very fast paced, and not a lot of oversight when you make design changes, which can be a blessing or a curse.Cons: No work life balance. In order to be successful, you need to be available/on call 24/7 and work most weekends and holidays. Every year, they are required to fire 10% of the employees, so if you're not a workaholic, you'll eventually get fired.
- 3.0Difficult work, but stock ended up well worth it in the endMechanical Engineer • Former EmployeeHawthorne, CAAugust 25, 2026Pros: Stock is really worth it in the long term, and it pays for some of the pain. It is a wonderful place to start a career and learn new things fast.Cons: 1 year at spacex drains 2-3 years of your life
- 5.0Great PlaceMechanical Engineer • Current EmployeeOctober 7, 2024Pros: A good amount of responsibility and ownership.Cons: It can be a lot of work and exhausting.
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