Overall, the interview process felt very strange. I received an email to schedule my first phone interview with the recruiter on the same day I submitted my application. This quick turnaround suggested that they hadn't even reviewed my graphic design portfolio. Ideally, the design hiring manager should have shortlisted potential candidates before contacting them. During the first phone interview, the recruiter asked typical questions like, "Why SpaceX?" However, the oddest question was, "How much can you produce/design?" without any context. It was evident that a non-design person had formulated this question. They seemed to want to gauge if I could handle a high volume of work, but the way it was asked was quite bizarre. I discovered during the interview that SpaceX does not have a creative director. If I were to secure the senior designer role, I would report to the director of content development, which also seemed unusual. They asked for my opinion on the current SpaceX design language and what could be improved. This felt odd because it seemed like they wanted a free consultation during the interview. They should have focused on my problem-solving process, how I stay updated with trends, and what keeps me inspired, but no one asked anything along those lines. They wanted me to present previous projects that closely align with their work, such as complex infographics, iconography, and the ability to collaborate with engineers. Without a creative director, they lack someone to identify exceptional designers. Instead, they look for a direct comparison to feel secure. I think their interview process is not very efficient. They really should have a creative director to hire future designers. Instead of asking candidates to present previous projects that align exactly with their work, they should provide a take-home test that requires 2-3 days of work. This way, there is no guessing, and they can determine if the candidate can handle the work or not. I wonder if they even have a project manager. Asking a designer to handle engineers alone seemed weird. Usually, you do it together as a team with your project manager. SpaceX is an awesome company for engineers, but not great for creatives. they lack a proper structure.

I had a great experience interviewing with SpaceX. The recruiter and manager were thoughtful and engaging, which made me comfortable and the process enjoyable even though I didn’t get the role.