Space Exploration Technologies Interview Questions & Reviews
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Updated May 1, 2012 – Interview questions and reviews posted anonymously by interview candidates.
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Difficulty Rating [?] Based on 14 ratings 
“Average” Interview
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Interview Experience [?] Based on 14 ratings
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| 1–10 of 14 Space Exploration Technologies Interviews | Sort by |
Software Engineer at Space Exploration Technologies
Posted May 1, 2012 — 2 of 2 people found this helpful
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2.0
Easy Interview
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Overall Negative Experience
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Interviewed and No Offer
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Interviewed Apr 2012 in Colorado Springs, CO (took a day)
Applied on line for a software engineer position in their simulation group. Since I work on spacecraft simulation software for a living, I thought I'd be a good match. I received a quick response after applying and was asked to complete an online C/C++ programming quiz.
Quiz consisted of low level programming questions (pointers, memory management, etc.), and was fairly easy. After completing the quiz, I received another email from a SpaceX recruiter telling me that I did well and he'd like to set up a phone interview with me. We agreed on a date and time, and when the appointed time came... no phone call. I attempted to call the recruiter and got sent to voicemail. I also sent an email. No response. I made a few more attempts over the next several days to communicate with this person (and another recruiter at SpaceX) to no avail.
Fortunately I'm employed and have no shortage of prospects with the more established companies in the aerospace industry, so this is more annoying than anything else.
What a bunch of disorganized clowns this company is. Don't waste your time with SpaceX.
Interview Questions
Other Details
I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a Phone Interview and a Skills Test.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
View Comments (1)
Inappropriate?
Internship at Space Exploration Technologies
Posted Mar 23, 2012
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2.0
Easy Interview
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Overall Neutral Experience
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Received and Accepted Offer
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Interviewed Aug 2011 (took 4 days)
The higher ups in McGregor seemed really interested in the interview process and were a great deal of help. The actual departmental managers seemed like you were just another intern and half listening usually 30 minutes late - not to good over the phone either, which pretty much summed up the rest of the internship experience. The interview process consisted of 3 phone screens not technical at all, I think mostly a cultural screen which is pretty important for the McGregor site lol.
Interview Questions
Other Details
I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a Phone Interview.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
New Graduate at Space Exploration Technologies
Posted Feb 20, 2012
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3.0
Average Interview
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Overall Neutral Experience
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Interviewed and No Offer
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Interviewed Nov 2011 in Hawthorne, CA (took 4 weeks)
Met recruiter at a campus career fair. Interviewed by phone. Flew out for group/panel interview with a presentation. Interviewed for several hours 1:1 with each person in the department. Required a written essay with responses to several questions. Seemed like everyone was too busy to provide a detailed interview.
Interview Questions
Other Details
The interview consisted of a Background Check, a Skills Test, a Presentation, a Group/Panel Interview, a 1:1 Interview and a Phone Interview.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Electrical Engineer (Hardware Test Lab) at Space Exploration Technologies
Posted Feb 15, 2012
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4.0
Difficult Interview
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Overall Positive Experience
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Interviewed and No Offer
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Interviewed Feb 2012 in Hawthorne, CA (took 4 weeks)
Applied online to new graduate position. Contacted by HR several weeks later, via email and phone. Scheduled a first round phone interview covering coursework, and research areas. Contacted again by HR to schedule a second phone interview with the PM. Interview was focused on technical skills, job function, and interest in the work.
Scheduled an on-site interview, they handled all travel arrangements from east coast. They asked for me to prepare a 10-15 minute presentation on a recent project, specifically discussing the technical aspects on which I had worked. The on-site interview started with a tour of the facility, then moved to a conference room. The average age of most of the people I met was relatively young. The presentation was made to a group of 10 or so people. After the presentation, HR led me out of the room and informed me that the panel would decided whether or not to continue with the interview process.
A few minutes later I was informed that we would continue with 1:1 interviews. This started a series of technical interviews covering areas of systems, controls, analog circuits, mechanical structures, filters, programming concepts, and some practical knowledge. This process took about 3 hours or so with about 8 different people. Two 1:1 and three 2:1 interviews. While interviewing, I realized that they were looking for a candidate with more experience on analog circuits than I had. Upon conclusion, HR discussed the next steps. I was informed that they would be making a decision quickly, within the week.
As promised, I received a phone within the week, and was informed that they were going with another candidate. I appreciated the call back and had an overall positive experience. This seems like a very exciting company to work for.
Interview Questions
Other Details
I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a Skills Test, a Presentation, a Group/Panel Interview, a 1:1 Interview and a Phone Interview.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Hardware Test Department at Space Exploration Technologies
Posted Jan 27, 2012
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4.0
Difficult Interview
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Overall Negative Experience
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Interviewed and No Offer
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Interviewed Sep 2011 in Hawthorne, CA (took 1+ week)
1- Receive a phone call from the Hiring person.Ask me technical questions and told me that he would like me to come in for a 1:1 interview.Later found out was 4 interviews.The phone interview took around 30 minutes.
2- Later in the week got a e-mail from HR setting up the day.
3- Got there 15 minutes early but for some reason just got call 10 minutes later from my initial setup time interview.
4- HR persont was veryprofessional showing me the place.
5- After the tour was sent to a room where I got a written test. No more then 20 minutes later the hiring person came in and start talking about the position.Strange but I went along with the process.
5- After finishing the written test was sent to a place where I had to take a hand on test(I was never inform about the test).Again for some strange reason the person stayed next to my bench.The room temperature was a least 98F that day.
6- After both tests ,went for a 1:1 interview. They ask me about overtime and they kept ask me about working 2th shift. The position posted it was for 1th shift.I told then that I would like to apply for the first shift.
7-For some reason, after 3 interviews ,the HR person came in the told me that I didn't Ace the test and I was excuse. I had a 4th interview that was cancel. I probable score around 75% in the written.
The place looks pretty nice and the benefits are not bad.One think I felt and is only my personal opinion is that the people work long hours and were kind of stress out.
If you like to work long hours and maybe weekends,probable is the right place for you.
Interview Questions
Other Details
I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a Phone Interview, a 1:1 Interview and a Skills Test.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
QA Engineer at Space Exploration Technologies
Posted Jan 26, 2012
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3.0
Average Interview
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Overall Positive Experience
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Received and Accepted Offer
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Interviewed Apr 2011 in Hawthorne, CA (took 2 weeks)
I applied directly through SpaceX.com. I was first contacted by a recruiter and some days later by a QA Lead, these conversations were not very technical.
I was then scheduled for an in person interview to which I was offered to be flown in and hotel accommodations provided. I opted to rather make the commute by car and was provided accommodations. I was asked to do a write-up addresses to the CEO stating Academic Achievements, Top Accomplishments, Career Transitions explanation.
The interview consisted of meeting 2 Software Engineers, a QA Engineer, a Business Analyst along with Department Director. The Software Engineers asked me to identify syntax errors in a short piece of code and 2 other very basic technical questions. The QA Engineer made the interview fun and interesting, the questions were tailored to understand my thought process as opposed to technical questions. The interview with the Business Analyst and Director was lengthier and involved the typical questions of why I'm changing jobs, what my weaknesses are, etc.
Interview Questions
Negotiation Details
Did not negotiate but could definitely have
Other Details
I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a Phone Interview, a Group/Panel Interview and a Background Check.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Propulsion Test Engineer at Space Exploration Technologies
Posted Dec 31, 2011
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3.0
Average Interview
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Overall Negative Experience
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Interviewed and No Offer
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Interviewed Dec 2011 in Waco, TX (took 3 months)
First had a phone screen interview based on giving my resume at a career fair. Asked basic questions about my previous experiences, then asked if I knew some basic rocket propulsion like define thrust, Isp, characteristic velocity. Pretty straight forward, but didn't really get a good vibe from the interviewer. Few weeks later asked me to come to TX for onsite interview. Interview consisted of an HR interview, a site tour, lunch interview, and technical interviews. HR interview felt pretty unprofessional. Didn't really want to answer my questions and gave very vague answers. Site tour and lunch interview seemed pretty good although it seems everyone is some type of manager. Apparently there was some type of scheduling issue so they cancelled one of the technical interview but had me sit around by myself for like an hour. Technical interview didn't go so well mostly cause it seemed like 2 guys were asking conflicting questions and I couldn't figure out what they wanted. Also talked about my research but one guy was convinced that one of the claims I made about my research was false (which any expert in my field actually would know to be true). The atmosphere seemed casual (everyone in jeans and t-shirts) but I really got the feeling that everyone seems a little edgey and maybe even a little cliqueish. It really sounded like the way they select people to give offers to is: once they narrow it down to the actually qualified applicants, they have some sort of vote on who they liked the best. It's possible I misunderstood but if that actually is the case it seems a little unprofessional. Everyone does have a work first attitude here and they definitely accomplish a lot of great stuff but even if I had been offered a job I wouldn't have accepted it since I don't love rockets enough to want to work on them 60+ hours a week in possibly unpleasant weather. For someone who loves rockets and is a workoholic, you probably would fit in fine. That's just not me.
Interview Questions
Other Details
The interview consisted of a Phone Interview, a 1:1 Interview, a Group/Panel Interview and a Skills Test.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Engineering Intern at Space Exploration Technologies
Posted Nov 11, 2011
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3.0
Average Interview
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Overall Neutral Experience
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Received and Declined Offer
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Interviewed Sep 2011 (took 2 months)
Had an initial screening by HR, then phone interview with engineer, then phone interview with the site director. Was pretty straight forward, asked about my projects and things on my resume'. Not much technical content in the interview. Asked about different hands on experience.
Interview Questions
Other Details
I Applied Online.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Inventory Control Clerk at Space Exploration Technologies
Posted Nov 4, 2011 — 1 of 1 people found this helpful
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3.0
Average Interview
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Overall Neutral Experience
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Received and Accepted Offer
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Interviewed Oct 2010 in Hawthorne, CA (took 4+ weeks)
Interviewed with HR staff and hiring manager.
Negotiation Details
No negotiation available
Other Details
I got the interview through an Employee Referral and the interview consisted of a 1:1 Interview and a Background Check.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
View Comments (1)
Inappropriate?
Test Engineer at Space Exploration Technologies
Posted Jun 29, 2011 — 1 of 1 people found this helpful
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4.0
Difficult Interview
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Overall Positive Experience
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Interviewed and No Offer
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Interviewed Apr 2011 in Waco, TX (took 4 weeks)
The interview process was intense. The first interview was phone interview and consisted of detailed questions related to my resume that was of interest to the company. The next step was series of on site interviews. These included an interview with the head of the HR department, group technical interview with employees, lunch interview, and a second technical interview. SpaceX is a great company. They have achieved extraordinary success and delivered results. Their philosophy is to set unrealistic deadlines but still manage to meet the deadlines. So the work consists of very long hours shifts.
Interview Questions
Other Details
I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a Phone Interview, a 1:1 Interview, a Group/Panel Interview and a Skills Test.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
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