Fall 2025 Graduate Engineer

A Graduate Engineer at SpaceX is responsible for tackling real-world aerospace challenges. You will be assigned various tasks related to design, manufacturing, and operations, contributing solutions alongside experienced engineers. The role requires teamwork, collaboration, and a strong commitment to innovative engineering practices.

To qualify for the Fall 2025 Graduate Engineer position at SpaceX, candidates must be enrolled in a graduate program and hold a bachelor’s degree in an engineering, physics, or math-related field. Additionally, applicants should have at least six months of applied engineering experience, whether through internships, labs, or personal projects.

Graduate Engineers at SpaceX can work at multiple locations across the United States, including Bastrop and Brownsville in Texas, Cape Canaveral in Florida, and various locations in California such as Hawthorne and Irvine. This flexibility allows candidates to choose a site that best fits their preferences and career ambitions.

SpaceX prefers Graduate Engineers who possess strong technical skills, demonstrated by a GPA of 3.5 or above and at least nine months of experience in applying those skills outside the classroom. Additionally, candidates should excel in collaborative team environments and be adaptable to changing project requirements.

The compensation for a Graduate Engineer at SpaceX varies based on academic qualifications: $83,200 per year for those with a bachelor's degree, $91,000 for a master's degree, and $100,100 for a PhD. Alongside salary, SpaceX offers comprehensive benefits including medical coverage and a 401(k) plan.

When solving engineering problems in a team, I believe in open communication and frequent collaboration. I like to gather diverse perspectives from team members, brainstorm possible solutions, and analyze each approach's feasibility before selecting the best option.

Certainly! I worked on a team project that involved designing a small-scale propulsion system. We faced numerous setbacks during testing, but through persistent troubleshooting and collaboration, we learned valuable lessons about design iteration and resolving technical issues.

I am proficient in tools such as MATLAB for numerical analysis, SolidWorks for 3D modeling, and AutoCAD for drafting. I also have experience with simulation software like ANSYS, which I used for testing mechanical stress in designs.

To stay up-to-date in aerospace engineering, I regularly read industry journals, participate in webinars, and attend engineering conferences. I also engage in online forums and study groups that discuss emerging technologies and trends in aerospace.

During a research project, I noticed a gap in our data analysis. I took the initiative to propose and implement additional experimental methods that enhanced our results significantly, leading to a more comprehensive understanding of the subject matter.

I’m especially drawn to SpaceX's mission of making life multi-planetary. The chance to contribute to revolutionary projects like the Starship or the Falcon rockets resonates with my passion for aerospace engineering and my desire to be part of a transformative technological era.

In a fast-paced environment, I prioritize tasks based on deadlines and impact on project outcomes. I maintain a clear to-do list and frequently check in with my team to adjust priorities as necessary, ensuring alignment with overall project goals.

I gained hands-on engineering experience through internships at both a manufacturing facility and during a senior design project. I worked with fabrication, assembly, and testing processes, greatly enhancing my understanding of practical applications of engineering principles.

Certainly! For example, let's take the concept of thrust in rocket propulsion: Thrust is the force that propels a rocket forward, much like blowing up a balloon and letting it go. The air rushes out one end, and the balloon flies in the opposite direction. It’s Newton's third law at work!

I welcome constructive criticism as an opportunity for growth. I make it a point to listen carefully, ask questions for clarity, and reflect on the feedback to incorporate it into my future work, striving always to improve my skills and performance.