SpaceX Internship – Requirements, Salary and How to Get One
Updated January 29, 2024
- What Is the SpaceX Internship?
- Are SpaceX Internships Paid?
- Who Is Eligible to Apply for the SpaceX Internship Program?
- When the SpaceX Summer Internship Takes Place and Other Dates
- How to Apply for an Internship in SpaceX
- Is It Hard to Get an Internship at SpaceX?
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- Frequently Asked Questions
- Final Thoughts
If you’re going to do an internship, currently, one of the most exciting and forward-thinking companies to work for is SpaceX.
The technology company is formally called Space Exploration Technologies Corp.
It was founded in 2002 with the aim to revolutionize space technology. It achieves this through designing, creating, and launching spacecraft.
In this article, you will learn more about how to apply for an internship at SpaceX and get tips for a successful application.
What Is the SpaceX Internship?
The SpaceX internship is for students currently enrolled on a four-year course at an accredited university.
There are technical and non-technical internships available and the role is for at least 12 weeks.
Some of the current positions available include an internship in SpaceX’s engineering department, a role in business operations, a SpaceX software engineer intern, a SpaceX mechanical engineering internship, and a role in marketing. There are no SpaceX legal internships on offer at the moment.
SpaceX does recruit interns all year-round, but there are only certain positions available at any time. If you’re looking to intern in a certain discipline, it is recommended to subscribe to the company’s alert emails.
SpaceX’s headquarters is in Hawthorne, California, and some of the internships will be based there. Other locations that host interns include Texas, Washington DC, and Florida.
An internship at SpaceX will see the successful intern become an integral part of the team and given the same responsibility as full-time employees.
SpaceX software engineer interns, for example, will be hands-on with designing and developing products.
A SpaceX apprenticeship also means networking with the rest of the company and making great connections at social events.
These internships offer invaluable experience and knowledge that goes beyond what can be taught in the classroom.
Are SpaceX Internships Paid?
All SpaceX apprenticeships are paid, with differing salaries depending on the applicant’s academic level.
For example, a freshman business operations intern would receive $24.50 per hour, a junior or senior university student would get paid $25 per hour.
If you have completed a bachelor’s degree, you’ll receive $25.50 and for someone who has a master’s degree, $26 per hour.
Other financial benefits of a SpaceX internship can include a financial contribution towards relocation costs, paid holiday, and pension contributions.
Who Is Eligible to Apply for the SpaceX Internship Program?
Before applying for a SpaceX internship, it is worth checking if you are eligible to apply. There are a number of conditions that SpaceX sets out.
Candidates must be, by law, a US citizen. They need to be enrolled at an accredited university on a four-year course. Those pursuing a master’s and PhD may also apply, depending on the course and the university they attend.
SpaceX does recruit from the country’s top universities, however, they focus on the individual rather than their school or course.
The most successful candidates are those who take part in hands-on based extracurricular activities, in addition to having a good academic record.
Although there is no minimum GPA score required to apply, SpaceX prefers a cumulative GPA of 3.5 and higher.
SpaceX cannot offer internships to students who are on an F-1 visa status.
When the SpaceX Summer Internship Takes Place and Other Dates
If you are looking to apply for a SpaceX internship, they generally take place during the:
- Spring (January to April)
- Summer (May to August)
- Fall (September to December)
Commonly, the internships are advertised just under a year before they are going to take place.
If you’re looking for a SpaceX summer internship, for example, you should be looking to apply in June the year before.
How to Apply for an Internship in SpaceX
In order to stand out in the SpaceX internship application process, it is good to be prepared and ensure you give as many reasons as possible why SpaceX should choose you.
First, know the steps to go through, these are:
Step 1. Search for an Internship
Search for suitable internships on the SpaceX website, bearing in mind your skill set, qualifications, and interests. Look at what is required of the particular internship and if you would be right for the role.
Also check the dates – if you want to take on a SpaceX engineering internship in, say, June, then have a look for SpaceX summer internship opportunities.
Step 2. Submit an Application Form
Complete the online application form, ensuring you refer back to the job posting and tailor your CV and application to include examples of your relevant skills and experience.
This is your first and only chance to impress the company, so make sure there are no spelling or grammatical errors, and that you demonstrate all the great things you bring to the table.
Step 3. Complete Any Interviews or Assessments
The final stage is attending an interview and completing any assessments.
As SpaceX is inundated with applications, the company is only likely to respond if you have been successful up until this stage.
This part of the process will involve a set of screening interviews, which may include you taking part in projects, quizzes, or tests.
The best way to prepare for this is to be fully aware of SpaceX’s mission and the role in-hand, and have examples of how your skill set relates to these.
You could practice interview skills at home, as you’ll be asked in depth to talk about your relevant experience, challenges, and solutions you have encountered and any other related topics.
Is It Hard to Get an Internship at SpaceX?
SpaceX aims to be the company of the future, and gaining an internship there is the desire of many.
The internships are typically very popular with candidates, with only a few openings each season available. According to MyJobSearch, the SpaceX internship acceptance rate is around 33%.
To give yourself the best chance at gaining an internship, there are a few recommendations to follow.
Research the Company
Research the company in depth to discover the skills it expects and needs from its interns. Read forum posts from previous interns, understand the company mission, and apply this to your application.
Practice, Practice, Practice
Be prepared for the assessment and interviews by practicing in front of a camera or friend. Read up on the type of questions and tests that may be asked, and, if there are any that you feel stuck on, find an answer before the real one.
You can improve on the skills you know are required of you before applying or getting to the second stage.
If you are going for a technical internship, you could improve your coding skills at a workshop.
Frequently Asked Questions
The SpaceX intern salary is paid by the hour, and their rate of pay depends on what year of their university course they are on. A freshman typically gets paid $2 less than a postgraduate.
Salaries at SpaceX are regarded as fair, and there are other benefits, such as holiday pay.
It can be hard to get an internship at SpaceX, as typically the number of applications is very high. According to MyJobSearch, the SpaceX internship acceptance rate is around 33%. With good preparation and the right skills, though, you can be successful.
SpaceX is a forward-thinking, innovative, and interesting company. It is regarded as a good place to intern.
As an intern, candidates get to work hands-on, learning invaluable lessons and skills that go beyond the classroom.
When you intern at SpaceX, you will work full-time hours. This is approximately 37 hours per week. The minimum amount of time you will intern for is 12 weeks.
Final Thoughts
SpaceX is one of the biggest companies in the US, developing the best in technology.
Being accepted to do an internship with it is a great accolade, where interns learn innovative and invaluable skills to set them up for their future careers.
To have the best chance of being successful, though, candidates need to research, prepare, and ensure they have the right skill set.
