SpaceX is a privately-owned spaceflight company that specializes in rocket technology and design. The company offers an all-year-round internship program for top talents in the U.S. According to SpaceX, “interns play a direct role in transforming space exploration and can help [the company] realize the next evolution of humanity as a multi-planetary species.”
In this vein, there are opportunities all year round for top U.S. talents across all engineering functions and business operations at SpaceX. At Scholarship Monitor, we compiled a comprehensive guide to help you land a successful SpaceX Internship. Ready? Let’s dive right in!
But wait! First things first.
Associate Engineer vs intern roles; which should you apply for at SpaceX?
So, how do you ascertain which roles you should apply for?
- Applicants who are currently enrolled in or have graduated from a four-year accredited university are eligible for internships, regardless of whether they have a technical or non-technical background.
- Applicants who are interested in business operations and software positions may apply if they are within six months of graduating or currently enrolled in a graduate program.
- Interns who specialize in engineering or software will be heavily involved in designing, developing, testing, and manufacturing spaceflight hardware.
- Business operations interns will also play a crucial role in helping SpaceX achieve its primary business objectives.
- Graduates with a bachelor’s or master’s degree from an accredited four-year university or college within the last six months of employment or those currently enrolled in a graduate program may apply for associate engineer positions.
As an associate engineer, you will work independently and collaboratively on real space hardware development projects. The internships and associate engineer positions provide valuable hands-on experience that cannot be obtained in a classroom. Strong academic records and a history of significant contributions to hands-on extracurricular projects are traits of the most successful candidates for SpaceX’s Intern Program.
This is not your typical internship since you will be given as much responsibility as full-time engineers and be an integral part of the team.
Eligibility criteria for SpaceX interns
For your application to be considered, you must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- You must be enrolled (at the time of application) at an accredited four-year college or university
- If applying for business operations or software positions, you must either be currently registered as a student at an accredited university or college or have graduated within the last 6 months
- Possess a GPA of 3.5 or higher
- Ability to use windows operating system and Microsoft office at an intermediate skill level or higher.
- Possess excellent interpersonal skills and have the ability to work collaboratively in a team setting.
- Be capable of accomplishing tasks efficiently even when resources are limited and under tight time constraints.
- Applicants applying for business operations roles must have prior relevant internships or work experiences.
- Applicants applying for technical roles must have relevant hands-on experience from engineering project teams, lab research, or prior internships.
Eligibility requirements for associate engineer program at SpaceX
Applicants applying for associate engineer roles at SpaceX are required to have:
- Completed a four-year bachelor’s degree from an accredited university within the past six months from the time of employment, or be presently enrolled in a graduate program.
- Possess a GPA of 3.5 or higher
- Ability to use windows operating system and Microsoft office at an intermediate skill level or higher.
- Possess excellent interpersonal skills and have the ability to work collaboratively in a team setting.
- Be capable of accomplishing tasks efficiently even when resources are limited and under tight time constraints
- Possess relevant hands-on experience from engineering project teams, lab research, or prior internships or work experiences.
SpaceX locations that accept interns/associate engineers
Although the availability of site locations that accept interns/associate engineers varies according to season, the following SpaceX locations hire interns/associate engineers:
- Seattle WA (Satellite development)
- Vandenberg AFB, CA (Launch site)
- McGregor, TX (Rocket development facility)
- Washington, DC (Government Affairs)
- Hawthrone, CA (Headquarters)
- Cape Canaveral, FL (Launch site)
Available internships at SpaceX in 2023
To be considered for internships or associate engineering roles at SpaceX, candidates must be available to work full-time for a minimum of 12 weeks. These opportunities are available throughout the year at SpaceX, during the following seasons
- Spring (Jan – Apr)
- Summer (May – Aug)
- Fall (Sept-Dec)
SpaceX internship salary
The average salary for interns at SpaceX is $62,159. This is more than the national average salary for interns. On average, interns earn a minimum salary of $40,103. However, it is noteworthy that the average salary of a SpaceX intern varies, depending on the role and location. Some locations, (for example, the Hawthorne, California branch) pay interns a higher salary.
SpaceX internships resumé/CV formatting
Your resumé should contain the following information:
- Your contact information
- Academic information: your university/college, degree and major(s), cumulative GPA, and date of graduation.
- All relevant previous internships, employment, or co-ops. (you should spell this in full in your draft)
- All relevant project team engagements and your role on the team.
How to apply for SpaceX internships
To apply for internships at SpaceX, follow these steps:
- Visit the SpaceX careers website.
- Browse the available internship opportunities to find a role that aligns with your skills and interests.
- Click on the internship listing to learn more about the job requirements and responsibilities.
- If you meet the qualifications and are interested in the position, click on the “Apply” button to begin your application.
- Create an account or log in to your existing account to start your application.
- Complete the application form and upload your resume, cover letter, and any other required documents.
- Submit your application and wait for a response from SpaceX.
It’s important to note that SpaceX receives a large volume of applications for their internship positions, so it may take some time to get feedback from them. If you don’t hear from them after a few weeks, don’t hesitate to follow up with the company to inquire about the status of your application. If you are shortlisted, you will be invited for an interview.
What is the interview process like?
Applicants shortlisted for interviews at SpaceX will undergo various technical phone screens. Depending on which group you interview with, you may also be required to complete a quiz, project, or programming test. Regarding this, SpaceX says:
“Our best advice is to be prepared to tell us about your greatest technical achievements and the challenges you faced. In addition, how did you specifically innovate and take your project to the next level? Be prepared to discuss in depth your individual contribution to projects. Being familiar with SpaceX’s mission and how it directly relates to your skill set is also important.”
Phew! There you go.
Securing an internship or associate engineer position at SpaceX is a great opportunity for young and ambitious individuals who are passionate about rocket technology and space exploration. The benefits of this experience are numerous and can contribute greatly to your career development. We hope that our comprehensive guide has provided you with useful information on available internships, eligibility criteria, and how to apply for the SpaceX internship program.
At Scholarship Monitor, we are committed to providing you with up-to-date information on scholarship opportunities. Make sure to always check back for more updates and take advantage of the resources we have provided to help you achieve your academic and career goals.