While Meta is conducting another brutal round of layoffs, cutting highly experienced, specialised AI talent to “flatten” its org chart, Elon Musk is working on another trajectory. He recently tweeted on X:
“SpaceX is actively hiring world-class engineers/physicists for SpaceXAI, even if you have zero prior experience in AI. Smart humans figure it out fast.”
While Big Tech is letting go of seasoned FAANG veterans who spent a decade optimising algorithms, SpaceX is looking for pure, raw problem-solving capability and telling them to learn AI on the fly.
Musk’s application process ditches the 2-page PDF. He wrote, “Please send an email with ~3 bullet points demonstrating evidence of exceptional ability to ai_eng@spacex.com.”
Predictably, the internet is certainly in two minds about this job. Many users think this peak chaos is in sync with Musk’s energy. “We hire world-class engineers with zero AI experience” Translation: We’ll hire anyone and call it ‘learning by doing’ when the model starts writing rocket code in Python 2.7,” wrote one user. Another added, “Smart humans figure it out fast” is the most dangerous thing you can tell people applying to build AI for rockets. Speed isn’t the problem. Getting it right the first time when it’s going to Mars is.”
SpaceX is actively hiring world-class engineers/physicists for SpaceXAI, even if you have zero prior experience in AI. Smart humans figure it out fast.
Please send an email with ~3 bullet points demonstrating evidence of exceptional ability to ai_eng@spacex.com.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 21, 2026
On the other side, people are celebrating the death of corporate gatekeeping. “This is how a nation should function… thank you for giving smart people with little or no experience an opportunity,” said one commentator. Another user added, That’s why I like such guys or companies who hire like that based on skills, problem-solving and thinking. Rather than your work experience.”
Many people were simply in awe of the job application requirements: “lol let’s have three bullet points as the new Resume norm.”
my application pic.twitter.com/9zsuwPzB3B
— nortonbreads (@nortonbreads) May 21, 2026
And of course, the internet wouldn’t be the internet without the absolute optimists shooting their shot, like this user who wrote: “Here’s my resume: B+ in Science, JV soccer team (2 years), Can eat >10 Oreos in one sitting, Owner of several Dogecoins…”
