I worked at SpaceX. It was the most ruthlessly efficient company I've ever worked for.

🌈 Abstract

The article discusses the career path and work experience of Vincent Peters, a former employee at SpaceX. It covers his background, transition into the corporate world, and his time working at SpaceX, including the company's efficient work culture, accessibility of leadership, and his subsequent move to start his own company.

🙋 Q&A

[01] Vincent Peters' Career Path

1. What was Vincent Peters' background prior to working at SpaceX?

• He graduated from West Point in 2005 and was initially on medical leave due to allergy-induced asthma.
• He worked in various industries, including the Federal Aviation Administration, Freddie Mac, and a tech company called 2 Twelve Solutions, before being introduced to and eventually joining SpaceX.

2. How did he end up working at SpaceX?

• Through his work at 2 Twelve Solutions, he was introduced to people on the SpaceX Mission team, who then offered him a job doing information compliance and assurance.
• His primary role was to engage with NASA and show that SpaceX was compliant with the requirements for the Commercial Crew program.

[02] Work Culture at SpaceX

1. How would you describe the work culture at SpaceX?

• The work culture at SpaceX is described as "ruthlessly efficient" and lacking in traditional management structures.
• Employees are expected to be self-directed and add value to projects, with no one telling them what to do. There are no boundaries in their roles as long as they are contributing.
• The environment encourages collaboration and accessibility, with Elon Musk and other leaders working in open cubicles alongside employees.

2. What were the challenges and benefits of this work culture?

• Challenges: Employees had to be self-motivated and able to figure out how to get things done without much guidance.
• Benefits: The flat, collaborative structure allowed for quick decision-making and efficient work processes.

[03] Transition to Entrepreneurship

1. Why did Vincent Peters ultimately leave SpaceX?

• After three years at the company, he felt he was no longer learning and that there was a high turnover rate, with many people leaving within their first two years.

2. How has his experience at SpaceX influenced his current entrepreneurial venture?

• Working at SpaceX taught him how to hire and manage people efficiently, without relying on traditional middle management structures.
• The flat, self-directed work culture at SpaceX inspired him to apply similar principles in running his own company, Inheritance AI.