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-mast

Move for an entry level SpaceX job?

Looking for some advice, preferably from people who have worked at SpaceX or anyone with knowledge of it. I applied for a mid level job at the Bastrop, TX Starlink factory. Did the recruiter interview and then spoke with a manager for a more technical interview, he ended up deciding I was not a good fit but said he would refer me for an entry level position. This work is in PCB manufacturing and surface mount assembly.

I have about 3 years experience as an SMT operator at two different companies. One a very small company in KS and then my current job at a very large tech company in the DFW area. My current company offers outstanding benefits, it is a European company and has frankly an exorbitant amount of PTO as well as very generous 401k contributions. Pay is 22 an hour and we typically get a performance based raise as well as a bonus based on company performance. They also offer education assistance up to 8000 a year which I recently started taking advantage of, I have about 20% of a college degree completed from my post high school days (I am 36 now).

So Starlink is going to refer me for essentially the same job I've been working, an entry level surface mount operator. I've already crunched some numbers and determined they would have to offer me at least 25 an hour to make it worthwhile. This would involve moving about 3 hours from where I am currently. Beyond that I'm really struggling to decide between sticking at my current job and trying to climb ranks within my current company to get a better resume, or taking the risk and going to SpaceX. I will say I really do not vibe with the culture at my current company and I think I would really prefer SpaceX.

Thoughts or opinions? I should mention I have not actually been offered the job at SpaceX but feel I am more than qualified, the only test would be behavioral and culture fit. Going to SpaceX and assuming they offer me 25 or more an hour, it would basically be yet another sidegrade career-wise but a bit of bump in pay. I feel SpaceX is a lot faster moving and more competitive than my current company so opportunities for growth would be better. I also think I would prefer Bastrop and the Austin area more than DFW.

Posted Nov 7, 2025, 6:53 PM UTC

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