SpaceX is looking to fill a whopping 473 open positions at posts around the United States. A great majority, 313, of these positions are at the company’s headquarters in Hawthorne
Our spring intern class is helping @SpaceX #EngineerTheFuture. Check out our fall internships to join the mission: bit.ly/2oxVZDe
11 of the Coolest Job Openings at SpaceX
For a company that needs bodies, they act like have enough. IMO
IMO Nobody wants to be a slave. I've looked into the company for a while. Seems they work you to death for low wages, 6 day work weeks are common even without a looming launch, 7 day work weeks are common near launch window.They have higher than normal expectations for entry level positions, they want higher than normal quantities of experience for skilled labor work, and tech jobs like IT are out sourced 60% of the time.Bad pay, Bad hours, and meager benefits add up to a bad work environment, it would seem only the management positions are worth having. I also heard from a shaky source 40% of the interns are washed out late in the game, who wants to go that far just to be handed a pink slip? For a company that needs bodies, they act like have enough. IMO
IMO Nobody wants to be a slave. I've looked into the company for a while. Seems they work you to death for low wages, 6 day work weeks are common even without a looming launch, 7 day work weeks are common near launch window.<snip>Bad pay, Bad hours, and meager benefits add up to a bad work environment, <snip>
IMO Nobody wants to be a slave. I've looked into the company for a while. Seems they work you to death for low wages, 6 day work weeks are common even without a looming launch, 7 day work weeks are common near launch window.They have higher than normal expectations for entry level positions, they want higher than normal quantities of experience for skilled labor work, and tech jobs like IT are out sourced 60% of the time.Bad pay, Bad hours, and meager benefits add up to a bad work environment, it would seem only the management positions are worth having. I also heard from a shaky source 40% of the interns are washed out late in the game, who wants to go that far just to be handed a pink slip?
Quote from: Darren_Hensley on 04/30/2017 06:17 amIMO Nobody wants to be a slave. I've looked into the company for a while. Seems they work you to death for low wages, 6 day work weeks are common even without a looming launch, 7 day work weeks are common near launch window.<snip>Bad pay, Bad hours, and meager benefits add up to a bad work environment, <snip>I'm in academic medical research, sounds exactly like my job. People who are passionate about their jobs don't care about these things. I don't.
Yup. I was in high tech. Did startups. Can be tough. SpaceX embraces the Silicon Valley startup culture and work ethic. It's not for everyone. You need to be psyched to make that kind of a life commitment. Fortunately, SpaceX has a mission goal that energizes many young tech types.
SpaceX rated quite poorly on Glass Door in the past. But they seem to have lifted their game a bit in recent months.
Just watch a launch webcast... The troops 'act' like they're loving it -- might be they are.
Quote from: AncientU on 04/30/2017 07:23 pmJust watch a launch webcast... The troops 'act' like they're loving it -- might be they are.Lots of corporate technical jobs today have long hours and low pay. At least work at one that you can enjoy.The webcasts show an enthusiastic workforce. Looks like most SpaceX employees (at least the ones we see) are happy to work there.
SpaceX's Chef Says Feeding Brainiacs Isn't Rocket Science
SpaceX has employed Cizma since 2011 to feed workers at its Hawthorne facility. While most companies of this size have in-house food service operations, practically all of them engage outside vendors to set up and run those operations. Perhaps unsurprisingly, SpaceX's enigmatic leader, Elon Musk, did not want to do things the normal way and opted instead to hire a chef to design a food program in-house. Cizma has built the food program from scratch, hiring his own workers, building restaurants and kitchens in the facility, and finding his own vendors. "There was no road map. We made it up as we built it," he says.The result is corporate cafeterias that focus on health, on local purveyors and local produce, and on a work culture about which Cizma feels immense pride. "In five years I've not had one employee leave voluntarily," he says. "They are all employees of SpaceX. That makes a difference. We are incredibly tight-knit."
It has allowed to to accomplish many daring things other companies are too risk adverse to attempt.But also causes a high turn over rate that makes it difficult for them to keep an experienced staff that could have caught problems such as the helium tank issue before they resulted in the loss of a mission.
Quote from: RonM on 04/30/2017 07:58 pmQuote from: AncientU on 04/30/2017 07:23 pmJust watch a launch webcast... The troops 'act' like they're loving it -- might be they are.Lots of corporate technical jobs today have long hours and low pay. At least work at one that you can enjoy.The webcasts show an enthusiastic workforce. Looks like most SpaceX employees (at least the ones we see) are happy to work there.My employer sends out a notice that they need "clappers" at publicity events. We are informed of the dress code, given a cost center to charge our time to, refreshments are provided and we are told to be professional and enthusiastic. So it becomes part of our job to look enthusiastic and as professionals, we do our job.The President of the USA brings along White House staffers to enthusiastically cheer and clap when his target audience is too quiet (e.g. his address at the CIA).In today's environment I'd take the images of the happy kids jumping up and down with a grain of salt. Not saying that SpaceX isn't the best company ever to work for, just saying don't take the PR images as proof.
To link staff turnover with that accident is an outrageous claim.
There is nothing new about the work hard/low pay sort of culture either. This was a book written in 1981.The Soul of a New MachineThe Wikipedia article describes it well.
Quote from: donaldp on 05/03/2017 12:56 pmThere is nothing new about the work hard/low pay sort of culture either. This was a book written in 1981.The Soul of a New MachineThe Wikipedia article describes it well.Good call. That describes the high tech culture I knew although my personal management style was quite different. I worked with Tom at DEC before he went to Data General. Great guy.Also had the pleasure of working with Len Bosack before he started Cisco.
If your employer needs to pay you to do that, you probably need to find a new employer.On the other hand, I go to events for my employer, unpaid, and enthusiastically cheer and promote and answer questions, because I believe in our product and our aims.
Yah. And one more quote:"""There were times early on when I questioned his directives," Cizma says. "But he was right every single time." He declines to elaborate on those conflicts, saying, "I have come to the conclusion that Elon's mind works at a level different to anyone else's. He's the smartest person I've ever encountered.""So SpaceX looks a good place for you, if you believe in HIS vision, if you accept HIS work model, if you're comfortable with HIS corporate culture.I'd personally prefer to work in a place where MY ideas are valued, where MY vision has a chance to bloom and flourish. OK, I get it - Elon Musk may be the smartest guy on Earth, but my way is still my own way and I prefer to walk it, rather than be the cog in the machine. Maybe some people would like to just go there, hang for several weeks or even months, then drop out. It would look great on their CV, right?
The SpaceX culture really bugs you, Svetoslav? Why don't you tell us what you *really* think.
There's lots of stories out there about how the the upper management at SpaceX (and Elon himself) is open to suggestions and ideas from employees. I don't work there or know anyone who does, but there seems to be some element of truth to those stories. As others have pointed out Glassdoor reviews for SpaceX are very favorable compared to many other large corporations, and certainly far better than competitors like ULA.
There is nothing new about the work hard/low pay sort of culture either. This was a book written in 1981.The Soul of a New Machine
So SpaceX looks a good place for you, if you believe in HIS vision, if you accept HIS work model, if you're comfortable with HIS corporate culture.I'd personally prefer to work in a place where MY ideas are valued, where MY vision has a chance to bloom and flourish. OK, I get it - Elon Musk may be the smartest guy on Earth, but my way is still my own way and I prefer to walk it, rather than be the cog in the machine.
There seems to be a Recovery Technician position open at KSC. Does anyone know where I could get some more information on this position?
If I would run a business, I would also (shock, horror) want people I hire to do what I need to be done, not what they want to do.
Is it just because you really value Musk's vision
What you're missing here is those are not Musk's vision. Space colonization, lower cost of access to space, reusability, these have been the vision for space enthusiasts for decades, they exist before Musk was even born. As a fan, I'm not following SpaceX because I believe in Elon Musk, I'm following SpaceX because their plans and actions aligns well with my belief in spreading humanity to the stars.
Quote from: curtquarquesso on 05/04/2017 04:20 amThere seems to be a Recovery Technician position open at KSC. Does anyone know where I could get some more information on this position?http://www.spacex.com/careers/position/207840
Space X Now Hiring For More Than 30 Positions at Cape Canaveral
Quote from: Welsh Dragon on 04/30/2017 10:52 amQuote from: Darren_Hensley on 04/30/2017 06:17 amIMO Nobody wants to be a slave. I've looked into the company for a while. Seems they work you to death for low wages, 6 day work weeks are common even without a looming launch, 7 day work weeks are common near launch window.<snip>Bad pay, Bad hours, and meager benefits add up to a bad work environment, <snip>I'm in academic medical research, sounds exactly like my job. People who are passionate about their jobs don't care about these things. I don't.Yup. I was in high tech. Did startups. Can be tough. SpaceX embraces the Silicon Valley startup culture and work ethic. It's not for everyone. You need to be psyched to make that kind of a life commitment. Fortunately, SpaceX has a mission goal that energizes many young tech types.
I went through LA the other week, 7 hour layover, so I made the trek to SpaceX and prayed at the foot of the booster.
This is a pilgrimage that every believer should undertake at least once.
On a serious note, was it worth the ride trip? Did the boosters seem different than you imagined? I plan to drive by next time I drive through LA.
You have to be passionate about your work over and above just about everything else. I've never been that passionate - I do what I do to keep a roof over my head and food on the table, but there are just too many other things I want to do outside of my work life. It's clear that most of the people at SpaceX are really jazzed about their jobs (and justfiably so), which goes a long way towards making up for long hours and low pay, and I'm glad that they enjoy what they do, but even if I were 25 and single again I wouldn't touch that work environment with a barge pole.
It's clear that most of the people at SpaceX are really jazzed about their jobs (and justfiably so), which goes a long way towards making up for long hours and low pay
"Low pay" is relative. In Russian space industry, workers make $500-$700 per month.While food, everyday clothing, phones and other gadgets nowadays cost about the same everywhere in the world.
Quote from: Darren_Hensley on 04/30/2017 06:17 amIMO Nobody wants to be a slave. I've looked into the company for a while. Seems they work you to death for low wages, 6 day work weeks are common even without a looming launch, 7 day work weeks are common near launch window.They have higher than normal expectations for entry level positions, they want higher than normal quantities of experience for skilled labor work, and tech jobs like IT are out sourced 60% of the time.Bad pay, Bad hours, and meager benefits add up to a bad work environment, it would seem only the management positions are worth having. I also heard from a shaky source 40% of the interns are washed out late in the game, who wants to go that far just to be handed a pink slip? For a company that needs bodies, they act like have enough. IMOSpaceX rated quite poorly on Glass Door in the past. But they seem to have lifted their game a bit in recent months.
— Propulsion development engineer intern in Hawthorne, Calif.“You go to work every morning at a rocket factory. Just think about that for a second”“The culture here is just amazing. The bulk of the Hawthorne office is laid out with an open floor plan, so you’re working in the close vicinity of hundreds of other engineers who are just as passionate as you about the company. Just standing up from your desk, you can look across the entire office floor and see the hustle and bustle of everyone working on different things.“You are working alongside some of the most talented engineers in the world. Find any employee to talk to and it is guaranteed they have swaths of knowledge to share with you of which you knew nothing about before.“Great employee benefits. Subsidized meals (and you never have to eat the same thing twice) and company swag, free coffee and froyo?! This one speaks for itself.
New article on Intern experiences via Glass Door:Sample:Quote— Propulsion development engineer intern in Hawthorne, Calif.“Great employee benefits. Subsidized meals (and you never have to eat the same thing twice) and company swag, free coffee and froyo?! This one speaks for itself.http://insideevs.com/first-hand-accounts-interning-tesla-spacex/Maybe not for everybody, but fantastic professional growth opportunity.
— Propulsion development engineer intern in Hawthorne, Calif.“Great employee benefits. Subsidized meals (and you never have to eat the same thing twice) and company swag, free coffee and froyo?! This one speaks for itself.
We put in the coffee and out comes the code!
Quote from: QuantumG on 06/20/2017 12:30 amWe put in the coffee and out comes the code!Caffeine. They put in caffeine. Coffee is nothing more than the transport. ;-)
Similarly, I haven't worked in the US, but company canteens, usually charging net cost price only, are absolutely standard for firms above a certain size.
All that said I don't see free coffee as a huge benefit.
Quote from: Lar on 06/21/2017 12:05 amAll that said I don't see free coffee as a huge benefit.Why are we concentrating on the 'free coffee' part? That seems to be the least of the perks listed.
SpaceX's Elon Musk Earns 8th Spot on Glassdoor's Top 100 CEOs List
SpaceX employees have good reasons to be happyGiven SpaceX's recent track record with rocket launches (and rocket landings), it's not surprising that employees approve of Musk's leadership. Following an explosion of its Falcon 9 on the launchpad last September, a major setback for the company, SpaceX has been on a success streak in 2017.
It's interesting re Glassdoor. After the Amos 6 anomaly, Musk's ratings started trending up. I wonder what Musk did to make his troops approve of him more after that episode.
...I would be suspicious of people who mention "free coffee" as a "great employee benefit" and reason to join. It's a perk at most.Similarly, I haven't worked in the US, but company canteens, usually charging net cost price only, are absolutely standard for firms above a certain size.
Quote from: Lars-J on 06/21/2017 01:03 amQuote from: Lar on 06/21/2017 12:05 amAll that said I don't see free coffee as a huge benefit.Why are we concentrating on the 'free coffee' part? That seems to be the least of the perks listed.Why are we talking about perks at all for that matter? Anyway, Free Swag is FAR more valuable!
‘They’re just like us’: Hawthorne middle-school girls get unique SpaceX visit
It’s rare to get a tour of SpaceX’s rocket-making Hawthorne headquarters, let alone one-on-one chats with its engineers.But some Hawthorne middle-school girls who got just such an invitation recently were in awe of the work being done in their neighborhood.“It was pretty surreal,” 13-year-old Bella Freire said. “Usually, you see rockets in magazines but not up-close and personal. Seeing people work on them is amazing. It makes me feel really small.”A new volunteer group of female SpaceX employees — the 300-member SpaceX Women’s Network — welcomed Freire and two dozen other Prairie Vista Middle School students on a Saturday afternoon this month for some lessons on engineering and tips about life.
Freire said she enjoyed doing hands-on work with the engineers. Even though it sounds “kinda cheesy,” she said she was inspired by what she saw and heard.“I was expecting them to be nerds, but they’re just like us,” she said. “One of the SpaceX girls reminded me of myself, and she was able to go to college and do engineering, and build a race car. That was pretty cool.”Students got to take home their creations to tell their families about what they learned.Toepel said she hoped to inspire young women in the way she was inspired by former NASA aerospace engineer and astronaut Susan Helms.“Ever since I was young, I knew I wanted to become an astronaut,” Toepel said. “When they’d send a crew up, I’d sit there watching the Earth rotate in complete awe. Susan Helms became my mentor growing up because I thought: ‘There’s nothing special about her. I can do what she’s doing.’ ”
Quote from: RedLineTrain on 06/21/2017 01:48 pmIt's interesting re Glassdoor. After the Amos 6 anomaly, Musk's ratings started trending up. I wonder what Musk did to make his troops approve of him more after that episode.After the events of 9/11, American Flags appeared on any house with a flagpole and 'American Flag Car Flags' were everywhere.Adversity breeds solidarity. In the face of a big problem, my little problem doesn't seem so worth griping about.Elon probably didn't have to do anything except lead and give direction to his teams.
Quote from: Cherokee43v6 on 06/23/2017 12:34 pmQuote from: RedLineTrain on 06/21/2017 01:48 pmIt's interesting re Glassdoor. After the Amos 6 anomaly, Musk's ratings started trending up. I wonder what Musk did to make his troops approve of him more after that episode.After the events of 9/11, American Flags appeared on any house with a flagpole and 'American Flag Car Flags' were everywhere.Adversity breeds solidarity. In the face of a big problem, my little problem doesn't seem so worth griping about.Elon probably didn't have to do anything except lead and give direction to his teams.Not nothing...
Quote from: AncientU on 06/23/2017 12:38 pmQuote from: Cherokee43v6 on 06/23/2017 12:34 pmQuote from: RedLineTrain on 06/21/2017 01:48 pmIt's interesting re Glassdoor. After the Amos 6 anomaly, Musk's ratings started trending up. I wonder what Musk did to make his troops approve of him more after that episode.After the events of 9/11, American Flags appeared on any house with a flagpole and 'American Flag Car Flags' were everywhere.Adversity breeds solidarity. In the face of a big problem, my little problem doesn't seem so worth griping about.Elon probably didn't have to do anything except lead and give direction to his teams.Not nothing...Agreed. However it is what he already does, not anything exceptionally different or special. I am certain he tailored that leadership to the situation, as any good leader would do.
I think most of us would have followed him into the gates of hell carrying suntan oil after that. It was the most impressive display of leadership that I have ever witnessed. Within moments the energy of the building went from despair and defeat to a massive buzz of determination as people began to focus on moving forward instead of looking back.
Shotwell: I was the 7th employee at SpaceX. We’re up to about 7,000 now. #NewSpaceEurope
SpaceX bumps up hiring efforts with a focus on Hawthorne facility production line
Space isn't just about scientists and engineers—it takes all types to help humanity become interplanetary! Example: @SpaceX is currently looking for a Space Suit Sewer! 🧵#sewingApply here: https://boards.greenhouse.io/spacex/jobs/4752975002
A fascinating human spaceflight job opening at SpaceX:
SpaceX is seeking a Astronaut Operations Integrator for a full-time position in Hawthorne, CA, United States. This is requisition R020747 and more details are available at:
ASTRONAUT OPERATIONS INTEGRATORHawthorne, CA, United StatesSpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars.ASTRONAUT OPERATIONS INTEGRATORThe Astronaut Operations Team is responsible for integrating all humans that will fly on SpaceX missions. This will include guiding our future crew members through the development, planning, training, mission and post-mission phases. With the pace of human spaceflight increasing at SpaceX, both high level and extremely detailed coordination of astronaut time is critical to mission readiness and success. As an Astronaut Operations Integrator you will be responsible for developing tools and processes to help with managing astronaut schedules all while ensuring smooth operations throughout their time at SpaceX.RESPONSIBILITIES:Manage and maintain the comprehensive schedule of all active SpaceX astronaut flight crewsDevelop the plan and schedule, integrate internal and external constraints, identify conflicts, and drive resolutionCommunicate plans and schedules to stakeholdersDevise, uphold, and improve scheduling tools or processes that identify, analyze, and brief potential constraints on a monthly, weekly, and daily basisWork closely with external customer schedulers to integrate travel and availability constraints for each crew memberEnsure that all crew members have a positive experience working with and flying on SpaceX missions from assignment to post flightBASIC QUALIFICATIONS:Bachelor’s degree or 5+ years of professional experience3+ years of experience with personnel schedulingDemonstrated project management experiencePREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:1+ years of professional experience in high visibility and high demand customer-oriented positions with demonstrated resultsOutstanding organization, time management, and resource management skillsExceptional ability to problem-solve effectively while maintaining attention to detailExperience professionally handling sensitive or confidential informationExhibit a strong attention to detail, ability to adapt to dynamic schedules and routines, and a focus on efficiency without sacrificing qualityHuman spaceflight familiarityAbility to participate in developing project scope, managing project schedules, and following up with stakeholders appropriatelyComputer literacy (Microsoft Office Suite, scheduling, and reporting tools)Ability to quickly learn new technical systems and operational processesADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:Physical effort including standing, lifting, and carrying equipment up to 25 lbs unassistedAbility to work in outdoor environments as neededMust be available to work extended hours and some weekends as needed to support crew training and eventsMust be willing to travel in support of crew activities and significant mission eventsAbility to pass Air Force background check for Cape CanaveralITAR REQUIREMENTS:To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here. SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX’s Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should notify the Human Resources Department at (310) 363-6000.
SpaceX is hiring for a hovercraft pilot at Starbase! The company is known to utilize at least one craft to ferry employees between South Padre Island and Starbase. https://boards.greenhouse.io/spacex/jobs/6668890002?gh_jid=6668890002
