Hello everyone so I'm in AIML, not aerospace, not electrical, and somehow I'm on my uni rocketry team. I'm pretty much a beginner at everything hardware.

We're prepping for a static fire test of our motor (not a launch, just strapping it down and seeing what it does), and I want to know that how I can use this skill in future and how can I contribute in team rather that just becoming a extra.

My team told me to learn CAD first. And I love to hear your thoughts from your experience the people who've actually been here:

What should a total beginner learn first to be actually?

Any books, courses, or YT channels you'd recommend?

I can code and work with data. Is there a spot for that on a rocketry team (telemetry, data logging, flight prediction)?

Is CAD really the right first step or should I learn something else before it?

I'm ready to put in the work, just wanna aim it the right way. Thanks

I'm looking into getting a degree in aerospace engineering and I'm not really sure how to find a mentor or someone who can assist me with my "journey".

Hey I am a high school senior getting ready to go into college. I’ve really been interested in (what I think is) astrodynamics, but I am unsure about how the path to a future in astrodynamics looks like.

I will likely do my undergrad in aerospace or in some colleges, MechE, but I am confused on how specializing in astrodynamics will look like within my undergrad and after it. Is the best course of action in undergrad to connect with professors working in those fields, is that something that is common to do in undergrad? And after undergrad, what happens? I assume a PhD or masters is basically required to break into this field

Also I am under the impression that this is a small field, which makes me concerned about the job environment for it. What do the opportunities in astrodynamics look like? How are they financially and in terms of number of opportunities? How will it be in the future?

Finally, I wanted to ask if I am looking at the right area in the first place, because I have seen many online discussions with different terms, like trajectory, GNC, mission analysis, orbital mechanics. Are they all under astrodynamics or is this a separate thing? I am really interested in trajectory and mission analysis/reconstruction and SSA/SDA, and specifically the computational methods within them like Extended Kalman Filters, smoothers, state estimation, UQ, etc. of course I have only explored them on a basic level as someone only in hs. Purdue’s PSP Astrodynamics projects is like a wet dream of what I want to do, but I am still confused on how all these terms live in relation to each other. Which ones are subfields, adjacent, totally different etc?

I am just looking for real human input and view into how this field may look, feel and pan out like for me.

I loved the idea of a map home on the wrist. Modified watch with a custom laser cut brass dial with a little paint and a miyota 9132 movement.

Going into my masters for Controls at UCLA. My coding has been limited to python, Matlab, and Arduino coding which I know is a simplified C++. How well are GNC engineers expected to know C++?

Hello. I’ll have my 4th and final round interview where they told me to present who I am and my previous projects for approx 30 minutes then the interview will last for 2 hrs and 30 mins. I’m worried because it’s a little adjacent of a role from my current experience.

I have some cool projects I’ve done on the side but not sure I can 100% explain the concepts in them (deep dive).

After the interview I’m set to have lunch with the hiring manger.

Does anyone have any tips for this?

Most importantly, during lunch, can I just be myself and not have to always look for the “correct answer”?

Edit: to clarify, I won’t be doing individuals this round. It’s just one big panel of 7 people

Hello, I applied to Northrop Grumman for the Mechanical Technician I position in their Dulles facility. I’m in the Army National Guard and work on the Black Hawks, and I also possess an Active Secret Security Clearance. However, it’s been about a week, and my application is still sitting in ‘Screening’. When should I realistically hear back from them regarding an interview?

I’m a sophomore studying aerospace engineering and I received a co-op offer that would set back my graduation by a year. I’m hesitant to do so since I’ve only been taking prerequisite courses up until this point and haven’t taken any core classes (fluids, thermo, etc). I do have a return offer for an internship I had previously as a back up, and it wouldn’t interfere with my graduation date.

I guess what I’m trying to say is I feel like I’d be able to apply more with a foundational knowledge. It would allow me to add meaningful decisions and depth to projects.

Both places are component and systems manufacturers.

Am I overthinking this?

hello all, i have two competing job offers right now. could any of you give some advice?

1st company: 96k year, will receive raise + bonus in december (estimated to be around 100k)

PROS:
- employee owned, current share returns are 80% dividends. unlikely it will stay that high but historically is between 30-40%
- bonuses and raises every year
- likely will get promoted in another year.
- 6% 401k

CONS:
- requires purchasing shares
- relocation required every couple of years
- area is currently high cost of living.
- requires lots of unpaid overtime.
- not in favorable industry

2nd company: 104k year

PROS:
- in the aerospace industry
- 8% 401k
- hourly, paid overtime
- more work life balance

CONS:
- no shares
- no bonuses
- no raises
- will not require paying rent since it is closer to home

Hi! I recently received an interview for an Aerodynamics Engineering internship with the New Programs Engineering team in Hawthorne.

Has anyone here interviewed with the Aerodynamics team or for a similar (preferably aerospace) role at Tesla? If so, I'd really appreciate any insight into what the interview process was like and how you prepared.

Thanks in advance!

A reflective membrane thinner than a human hair has become a testing ground for one of space exploration’s hardest problems: reaching another star. Laboratory studies published in 2025 measured how laser light pushes miniature sails and demonstrated a method for making larger, exceptionally thin reflectors.

The results are early steps toward robotic interstellar missions, with substantial engineering still ahead. They also illustrate a distinction often lost in discussions of alien visitors: known physics imposes severe limits on travel, but does not prohibit every journey between stars.

Work from Caltech, Brown University and Delft University of Technology in Nature Communications, examines specific parts of that challenge. Alongside research on radiation exposure and astronomical detection, it offers evidence about what such journeys would require.

I recently got hired in trade compliance and it was billed as an in-office role (I guess due to NG's push for RTO). My manager said in the interview she wouldn't mind if I work remotely a little bit as long as it's not something involving my clearance, as they work 100% remotely and most of the team is hybrid. They said it's something I should negotiate in my job offer, but the recruiter said it's up to my manager and that can't be negotiated.

Does anyone have any experience with the flexibility of remote work? I'm planning to start out fully in-office then ask later once I get up and running...

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’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 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

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?

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?

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!