A large company with a dynamic and fun small startup feel - Video Systems Administrator SpaceX Employee Review

5.0
21 Oct 2016
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

There are not many places you can work and actually say you're actively changing the human species for the better. SpaceX is one of those places. It makes getting up and going to work each day very easy. Management does their best to eliminate as much useless red tape as possible. It isn't zero, but for a company this size working on the type of projects they do, it is impressive how much they are able to both empower each employee to do what is needed for success while at the same time having checks and balances to ensure things are done right. We're working on the most powerful rocket and spaceship humans have ever built. Bigger than anything you can fathom. That's just cool!

Cons

As many will mention, the hours can be long and the work/life balance is less life and more work. As deadlines start to approach, the hours can start to get a bit intense. This is not a low-stress environment. You are directly responsible for your projects be it a success or failure. Must be able to cope.

Explore other reviews about SpaceX

5.0
3 Jul 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Learn alot, helpful people, cool mission

Cons

long hours, ambiguous, high turn over

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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