SpaceX Hardware Test / Validation Engineer Interview Questions
& Process
Real candidates share what happened, how many rounds they had,
and how the experience turned out.
Based on 68 interview experiences · FREE TO READ
Candidate interview experiences
First-hand accounts from people who interviewed at SpaceX.
SpaceX
Test Engineer
Mid Average Positive experience No offer 3 rounds
Interview process
Phone screen Technical screen Onsite
Interview formats
Coding Technical
Had a phone screen first, then a leetcode test. After that, I had an interview where we discussed the leetcode problem and some basic electrical engineering concepts. The interviewer really focused on programming principles during this part. The leetcode part itself required knowledge of circuit design and python, and the specific question was quite tough, involving concepts like inverting and non-inverting amplifiers.
Confirmed questions2 questions
- Can you describe the output of an inverting amplifier?
- What about the output of a non-inverting amplifier?
SpaceX
Hardware Test Engineer
Senior Difficult Neutral experience No offer 3 rounds
Interview process
Recruiter call Phone screen Onsite
Interview formats
Technical Behavioral
Recruiter phone screen, then a phone interview with a senior engineer, followed by an in-person interview at the company. The questions were pretty straightforward, but you're expected to really dig deep and show off your knowledge to impress them.
Confirmed questions1 question
- What's your approach to testing a motor driver?
SpaceX
Software Test Engineer
Entry Difficult Negative experience No offer 5 rounds
Interview process
Recruiter call Phone screen Take home Presentation Panel
Interview formats
Technical Coding Presentation
Started with two 30-minute phone calls, one with a recruiter and another with an engineer. After that, I had to complete a 4-hour coding assessment. Next, I was asked to prepare a PowerPoint presentation for a 45-minute session that involved presenting and answering questions. The panel I presented to was really rude; one person was on their phone the whole time and others were working on their laptops. They asked multiple questions about things already covered. Two hours after that, an engineer told me I wasn't a good fit, used some buzzwords, and showed me out.
Confirmed questions1 question
- Can you build a 2-bit adder using logic gates?
SpaceX Hardware Test / Validation Engineer Interview Questions
Quoted word for word from SpaceX interview reports.
“How can an AND gate be constructed using only NAND gates?”
Read reports →“Could you please provide the index for the first byte of the payload given the following packet format: Packet format HDR <6 Byte>, TYPE #0 ~ TYPE #N, Payload TYPE format TYPE <1 Byte> Length <1 Byte> Option < Length Byte>, specifically when the TYPE value is 'h00', indicating it's the last TYPE?”
Read reports →“Can you build a 2-bit adder using logic gates?”
Read reports →“Could you define the S21 parameter for an ideal transmission line?”
Read reports →“Regarding a wire string between two posts with an insulating coat, what proportion of the load is supported by the coating?”
Read report →“What is the minimum FIFO depth required to avoid data loss over 100 cycles, given a read frequency of 8/10 cycles and a write frequency of 80/100 cycles?”
Read report →“Could you provide the formulas for specific impulse, characteristic velocity, and thrust?”
Read report →“Can you define the critical angle for fiber coupling, considering both the angle of acceptance and the internal reflection angle?”
Read report →“Find the missing number in a sequentially ordered list, and then do it for an unordered list.”
Read report →Formats, difficulty and experience
Across all 68 SpaceX interview reports.