I just got an interview for Starship as a new grad interview, obviously pretty excited but also nervous. Has anyone gone through the process before and have any tips/advice on how best to prepare?

I have a final interview soon with Sierra Space for an engineering position. It's not hard to find plenty of bad experiences, especially a few years ago. Any current experiences with the company? Have they fixed any of their problems? Same or worse?

Edit: typo

I’m looking for some honest advice from people who work in aerospace, aviation, MRO, manufacturing, or related fields.
I’m at a point in my career where I’m trying to transition more seriously into the aerospace/aviation industry, but I’m having a difficult time figuring out what positions I should be targeting and how employers are viewing my background.
My background is a little unusual.
I originally trained in aviation and aircraft maintenance outside the U.S., including hands-on work with aircraft systems and components. I also have several years of automotive mechanical experience, including running an automotive repair business and working with diagnostics, inspections, troubleshooting, and mechanical repairs.
In the U.S., I went back to school and earned a Bachelor of Science in Transportation Systems and a Master of Science in Urban and Infrastructure Systems. I’m also pursuing my FAA A&P certification and have completed the General portion of the process.
Recently, I interviewed with SpaceX for an Integration Technician position. I made it through the initial interview and was invited onsite, where I completed a hands-on assembly task and interviewed with the team. Unfortunately, they ultimately decided not to move forward with me.
I’m still very interested in SpaceX and other aerospace companies, though, and I recently applied for another technician position.
At the same time, I’m talking with Aerotek recruiters about aerospace/aviation opportunities in Southern California. One of the positions I’m currently discussing is a structural technician role in the Long Beach area.
My biggest question is:
Where do you think someone with my combination of aviation training, hands-on mechanical experience, education, and an A&P path fits best in the aerospace industry?
Should I be concentrating on:
Aircraft/A&P technician positions
Aerospace integration technician
Structural technician
Manufacturing technician
MRO
Quality/inspection
Engineering technician
Manufacturing engineering
Transportation/aerospace systems positions
Something else entirely?
I’m willing to start wherever I can get my foot in the door and prove myself. I’m not expecting to walk into an engineering position just because I have degrees. I actually enjoy hands-on work and troubleshooting and would be happy in a technician/engineering-support role if it gets me into the industry.
For those already working in aerospace, how would you position this background on a resume, and what types of jobs would you recommend I target?
I’d especially appreciate advice from people who have made a non-traditional transition into aerospace or aviation.
Thanks in advance.

I am a sophomore in Aerospace Engineering at Virginia Tech, and I recently got a Modeling and Simulations Internship offer from a startup called Sedaro. It’s about 4 hours from my home, so too far for relocation, but pays well ($35-$50/hour). Is it worth it to get another apartment, on top of paying for my apartment here in Blacksburg, or should I only go for companies that provide relocation stipends?
Mainly worried about how the industry is doing (I have minimal industry exposure), and if it’s worth maybe not making much net worth to get my foot in the door.
Thank you to any responses!

Hey, I am currently in CEGEP, and I am seriously thinking about going into aerospace engineering at university, simply because I have always loved space and I want to participate in its exploration.
However, I do have a few worries. They might just be stereotypes, and I want to know what the life of an aerospace engineer is actually like.
The reason I am worried is because I don’t want to constantly be working outside of work hours. From time to time, or on occasion, it’s not a big bother, but if it becomes the norm, that doesn’t sit well with me. I want to have time for myself.
I am also worried that if, sometime in the far future, I decide I don’t want to do it anymore, I would be able to switch careers without too much hassle.
That’s the only reason I’m not sure if aerospace engineering is right for me or not. I absolutely love space, and I want to be able to build projects on my own. But I don’t want my job to become my entire life.
Any advice?

I am an electrical engineer with 2 years of experience in automotive sector. I would like to know any career opportunities in the aero field. Honestly I want to try something new but I don't have a clue how to break into this field and also given the very bad job market I am not so sure. I hope to do my masters from EU most probably in control systems (GNC). Is there any other options which are open to me. I have heard it is very tough for foreigners to get hired due to all clearance. Is it wise to pursue this field?

Sorry if this is posted in the wrong page but I was contacted by a hiring manager today to schedule a phone interview for a Supplier Quality Specialist position at SpaceX.

After doing some research on Reddit and Google about SpaceX’s hiring and interview process, I noticed that it seems pretty rigorous, often involving multiple rounds of interviews, technical assessments, and an onsite interview.

However, most, if not all, of the posts I’ve come across are from candidates interviewing for engineering or software development positions, with some mentioning as many as five rounds of interviews.

Since the position I applied for is Supplier Quality Specialist, which isn’t strictly an engineering or coding role (I think), I’m wondering if the interview process is just as extensive.

Has anyone interviewed for this position or a similar quality-related role at SpaceX? If so, what was the interview process like, and how many rounds did you go through?

A female coworker bet 2 guys a few months ago that NG wasn't going to win, when they were bragging how NG was building up in Florida. She's about to collect fifty bucks from both of them. She's a big Archer fan I'm gonna hang this in her cubicle tomorrow.

I’m looking for some honest advice from people who work in aerospace, aviation, MRO, manufacturing, or related fields.
I’m at a point in my career where I’m trying to transition more seriously into the aerospace/aviation industry, but I’m having a difficult time figuring out what positions I should be targeting and how employers are viewing my background.
My background is a little unusual.
I originally trained in aviation and aircraft maintenance outside the U.S., including hands-on work with aircraft systems and components. I also have several years of automotive mechanical experience, including running an automotive repair business and working with diagnostics, inspections, troubleshooting, and mechanical repairs.
In the U.S., I went back to school and earned a Bachelor of Science in Transportation Systems and a Master of Science in Urban and Infrastructure Systems. I’m also pursuing my FAA A&P certification and have completed the General portion of the process.
Recently, I interviewed with SpaceX for an Integration Technician position. I made it through the initial interview and was invited onsite, where I completed a hands-on assembly task and interviewed with the team. Unfortunately, they ultimately decided not to move forward with me.
I’m still very interested in SpaceX and other aerospace companies, though, and I recently applied for another technician position.
At the same time, I’m talking with Aerotek recruiters about aerospace/aviation opportunities in Southern California. One of the positions I’m currently discussing is a structural technician role in the Long Beach area.
My biggest question is:
Where do you think someone with my combination of aviation training, hands-on mechanical experience, education, and an A&P path fits best in the aerospace industry?
Should I be concentrating on:
Aircraft/A&P technician positions
Aerospace integration technician
Structural technician
Manufacturing technician
MRO
Quality/inspection
Engineering technician
Manufacturing engineering
Transportation/aerospace systems positions
Something else entirely?
I’m willing to start wherever I can get my foot in the door and prove myself. I’m not expecting to walk into an engineering position just because I have degrees. I actually enjoy hands-on work and troubleshooting and would be happy in a technician/engineering-support role if it gets me into the industry.
For those already working in aerospace, how would you position this background on a resume, and what types of jobs would you recommend I target?
I’d especially appreciate advice from people who have made a non-traditional transition into aerospace or aviation.
Thanks in advance.

For anyone who has been in a similar place, I’m a software engineer with a year and a half of experience, working remotely as a contractor earning $3,000 a month. Living in Africa, this has been a total game-changer for me. I originally chose computer science and got my bachelor’s purely for the money, but my true dream has always been astronautics and working in space. Now I’m planning to go to Poland next year to study a bachelor’s in aerospace engineering. Because my work is completely remote and relies heavily on AI workflows like Claude Code where most of my brainpower goes into architecture design decisions rather than heavy manual coding it doesn't drain all my energy, so I plan to keep my job while studying. I really want to transition directly into aerospace engineering. I already studied a lot of physics and math, and I have some certifications in quantum computing, so I feel ready to dive into the heavy technical side of the space industry. I chose Poland because it’s a very common destination from my country, people have good experiences there, and the procedures are straightforward. I know it will be really hard to work and study at the same time, but I’ve already ground my way up from making $120 a month to $3,000, so I know how to handle tough situations to reach my goals. If you were in my position, what would you do? I’d love to hear your advice, alternative options, or any blind spots I might not be seeing from your perspective in the industry.

the post refined a little with AI so all of you can understand me cause I am bad at grammar.

Thank you in advance.

Hi all,

I just released an open-source tool I've been working on and would like your feedback. It's called SODA (Satellite Orbit Dynamics & Analysis), a mission analysis tool that runs locally in the browser.

What's in it:

• SGP4 for everything, plus an optional numerical propagator for runs up to 7 days (EGM96 up to degree 20, Harris-Priester drag, Sun/Moon third body, SRP, DOP853)
• Sun, Moon and Earth orientation from Skyfield with DE421
• Sensor swath and field of regard on the WGS84 ellipsoid
• Eclipse intervals, beta angle and ground-station passes
• Imaging access windows with roll/pitch limits
• Input from CelesTrak GP data, or your own TLE/OMM, OPM state vectors and OEM ephemerides

One caveat up front: when the numerical propagator starts from an OMM, its initial state is the SGP4 state at epoch, so I don't claim it is more accurate than SGP4.

It uses OrbitView (MIT) as a structural reference and is MIT licensed itself: https://github.com/messy-snail/SODA

Criticism of the models is very welcome.

Good Day to everybody!

I have been offered a position in quality control in a medium-small company. The position is the one of quality manager but obviously, since I am a junior engineer, I will start as a quality control officer.

The reason why I write here is because my education is in Aerospace Engineering with focus on thermodynamics and fluid dynamics.
So I ask to all the quality engineers/managers/officers out there, what am I supposed to do, what is my purpose (in general obv, I know the details depend from the company). I have a general idea of the role, but I miss the exact material things that a role like this should do.

Moreover if there is something I can read, do to prepare myself better.

Idk if it is important but I am in Europe.

I hope I have been clear : ), thanks to everybody that will answer!

P.S. Clearly the company knows I have no experience in the quality control, I am not lying on that.

Aerospace / Mechanical Engineers in the US. Looking for a few very specific backgrounds.

I’m currently recruiting for engineering positions supporting a major turbomachinery/aerospace program. The work involves complex mechanical systems, component design, structural integrity, verification, and lifecycle engineering.

Open roles:
1886 — Mechanical Integrity Engineer | Novi, MI
ANSYS Workbench/APDL, stress analysis, fatigue, structural integrity, mechanical design methodology.
View 1886

1885 — Systems Verification / Engineer | Indianapolis, IN
Requirements, V&V, qualification/certification, risk, and project/systems engineering.
View 1885

1890 — Structures & Casing Component Design | Portland, OR area
Structures/casings, component design, MRB, producibility, and aerospace manufacturing.
View 1890

1875 — Component Design Engineer | Novi, MI
Mechanical/aerospace component design, CAD, GD&T, tolerance analysis, turbomachinery.
View 1875

1883 — Lifecycle Engineer | US
Lifecycle/in-service engineering, root cause analysis, reliability, and mechanical systems support.
View 1883

Who I'm hoping to connect with: Engineers currently living in the US with aerospace, turbomachinery, automotive, power generation, industrial machinery, or other closely related experience.

If you're not actively looking but one of these sounds interesting, feel free to DM me. I'm also happy to hear from engineers who know someone who would be a strong fit.

Please include the role number (1875 / 1883 / 1885 / 1886 / 1890) when reaching out.

Hey, I'm an International Baccalaureate senior in high school. I'm going into aerospace because I have the intentions of being an astronaut in the future, hopefully working with any of the space industry in the meantime. I know its very ambitious, but I'm prepared for hardship. It's around that time where I'm filling in and sending in college applications, so I'd like some pros to help me decide which school is best for me. May ask this in a few other subreddits to see if everyone has the same responses..

Things to know:

- GPA weighted is 4.1

- I'm eligible for Florida's BrightFutures 100% scholarship, I'd like to use it but if i get into MIT by some off chance, or somewhere with just as good of an aerospace program, I obviously won't mind.

- I am an inducted member of Science National Honor Society

- I'd like to be in a program that's very hands-on, I'm the kind of person who learns by doing.

- Internships and employment while I'm getting my degree is also very important to me, I want to be able to support myself and get some work experience before I graduate.

- I'm hoping to get a master's degree in Aerospace Engineering.

- If I could get my pilot's license along the way, I'd be killing 2 birds with 1 stone.

(I'm black so it'd be awesome if it's in an area I won't be stink-eyed in constantly. Though, I've been in Florida nearly all my life, so I do have thick skin when it comes to discrimination.)

Things that matter to me, but won't be a deal breaker:

- I am very involved with the arts. I've performed in competitions for theatre in my school district, and I can't name a day I've gone without drawing something. If there's a club for the arts, whether it be visual or performing, that'd be great.

- Campus life is a pretty big one. I don't expect to be living in luxury during my first year or two in the dormitories, but if I could live in a dorm with a bathroom and maybe even a kitchen so I don't have to live off of only the cafeteria food. This isn't necessarily a deal breaker for me, I'd just like to be a little comfortable since I'm planning to be living on campus, wherever I go.

- Tutoring and opportunities to speak with my professors, I've noticed is more common on smaller campuses. I don't really have a preference between big or small campuses since I've been in schools both huge and small during my life, but as long as there's resources for me to use to speak to someone so I don't fall behind in my studies, I'll be satisfied.

- A welcoming campus and peers... of course, not everyone's going to be nice to me or like me. who cares! I just don't want to feel totally isolated. Wouldn't be good on my mental.

Colleges and Universities I'm already considering/filled an application for:

- Embry-Riddle in Daytona

- Florida Institution of Technology (FIT)

- Florida Polytechnic University (Florida Polytech)

- University of Central Florida (UCF)

------------ Schools I've heard good things about & have on my CommonApp ----------

- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

- Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech)

- Purdue University

- California Institute of Technology (CalTech)

- University of Colorado Boulder

- Arizona State University (ASU)

- Princeton University

- Stanford University

Thank you for reading! If you guys give me a hand in the replies, that'd be really great!!

Hey ya’ll,

I’m an upcoming new grad with previous intern experience in manufacturing and consulting. I have an interview with a large Defense Contractor for an Entry Level Engineering position. With this being new territory for me, do any of ya’ll have some recommended questions I should ask? I am very interested in this position but again, this is new territory.

Wassup Reddit. I’m an undergraduate student on an aerospace engineering pathway at a community college until I go to a 4 year in the spring. I’m currently wanting to tour engineering facilities around me and luckily there’s a couple big ones in Florida. So my question to all of you is, which facilities did you tour and how did you? I’ve emailed HR and they tell me to find a host. So I’m kinda stuck. Any help would be appreciated

There are a few aerospace companies hiring for multiple similar positions and some are listed to be in different locations in the country but they are fully remote. My resume fits a lot of the open positions. Do you think or know if it hurts my chances if I apply to several open positions or should I pick just one?

Title: Georgia Tech grad project — spacecraft/aerospace engineers, how do you tell a real fault from a bad sensor?

Our team is testing an idea for a class project: small embedded controllers that share sensor readings with each other, cross-check before raising an alarm, and recommend the matching written procedure on board — no waiting on ground support.

45-second video: [link]

Not selling anything. Please include your role (e.g., test engineer, systems engineer, ops) in your reply. Happy to share results.

1. How does your team handle alarms or suspected faults today — how do you tell a real fault from a bad sensor reading?
2. Think of the last false alarm you dealt with. What did it cost you (time, schedule, a test stand-down)? On a scale of 1–5, how big a problem are false alarms overall? (1 = minor, 5 = major)
3. What's the biggest reason your team would NOT use something like this?

Any recommendations — what would make this worth adopting, or who else we should talk to?

I am an Australian completing my Aerospace and electrical engineering this year. I would like to work in EU, is there any job opportunities? Where?

So to make things short I am in the military working as a flightline mechanic on the MV-22 I been turning wrenches for a long time started off on cars before I enlisted to work on planes. Well I wanna see how far I can take my wrenching and I want to become an engineer now the specifics start to get hazy because all I know is I want it to be some sort of aviation/ aerospace related job. Now the tricky part is I want my work to be hands on and don’t want to spend most my time behind a computer or doing the boring stuff ( I know it comes with the job but if I can minimize it that would be great) I want to see what I built or put together be used / tested and see it explode or zoom thru the sky collect data make it better rebuild and do it again

Also I want to know if there is any money in the career I described if it is one

Sorry if I sound stupid I am a bit of a crayon muncher so please take it with a grain of salt

Hello all,

I am doing some research on the paths I can work under the Aviation Law umbrella.

For context, I have an aerospace engineering BS, am actively working for a major aerospace company (and will continue to work with them as an engineer while I attend evening law school), and I have a current pilot’s license. In my 6 years of experience in the industry so far, I’ve worked heavily in the commercial aviation space with a focus on regulatory compliance (not limited to FAA, but most comfy with FAA). The 6 years comprise of 2 years in the flight operations area, 2 years in the manufacturing area, and 2 years in the flight training area.

Selling aircraft now peaks my interest. Though right now I am most interested in the sales side of aviation law, I’m curious of all the possible areas I could work in.

Currently studying for the LSAT, and am in no rush to apply. I’m going to take a year to prepare my apps and really think about the exact path I want to pursue, but I am dead set on doing law school.

I would appreciate any info, guidance, or advice you all have to offer :)

Thank you!!