I applied online. The process took 1 week. I interviewed at SpaceX in Feb 2020
Interview
First there are 3 phone screens. The first is with the recruiter, just basic questions about the resume and whatnot. The next one is with the hiring manager, and the last one is with someone else on the team. The last 2 interviews are highly technical, and there isn't a good way to prepare for it. If you pass that, they invite you on-site. There, you give a technical presentation, then if you move on, you get panel interviews. They had told me that I got an on-site interview, sent me my schedule, then rescinded my invitation. That put a sour taste in my mouth about the company.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Pressure vessel questions i.e. how to know if a part with a crack is safe enough for use
I applied online. I interviewed at SpaceX in Mar 2026
Interview
My interview experience at SpaceX was disappointing. The expectations felt extremely high, even for mid-level roles. Missing even one or two questions seemed to stop the process, and there was little tolerance for not knowing something.
It felt like they prioritize candidates who already know everything rather than those willing to learn. Overall, a very rigid and negative experience.
Round 1) Recruiter Phone Call
Round 2-4+) Phone call with Lead Engineer, Manager, etc.
Round 5) On-Site with Technical Presentation and One-on-Ones
I found the questions in the in-person one-on-ones were equal or slightly harder than the phone screening questions
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Why SpaceX? (Was asked this during all four phone screenings)
1 on 1 interview standard fundamental mech questions from coursework fluids, statics, structures, heat transfer, thermo etc. asked lots of questions and follow ups to get a gauge of thinking
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
fixed cantilever beam point load p at the end what is the defleciton eq?
