Elon Musk said a year ago that AI has no use at SpaceX. Now he's willing to pay $170k a head for AI engineers.

SpaceX, the aerospace company founded by Elon Musk, is actively seeking to expand its workforce by hiring engineers for a newly established AI software engineering team. An official job listing released on July 11 outlines the team's mission to tackle intricate data challenges associated with the company’s launch vehicles and spacecraft. Additionally, this team is expected to enhance the capabilities of SpaceX's satellite internet service, Starlink. The job listing indicates that candidates with backgrounds in computer science, data science, engineering, mathematics, or physics are preferred. However, individuals lacking formal degrees may still be considered if they possess a minimum of four years of relevant professional experience in software development. Notably, the listing emphasizes that prior aerospace experience is not a prerequisite for success in this role. Applicants should have at least one year of expertise in AI software engineering, full-stack development, and data science. In terms of compensation, SpaceX is offering salaries ranging from $120,000 to $170,000 annually, with potential additional benefits such as company stock, stock options, and performance bonuses. This recruitment initiative marks a significant pivot for Musk, who previously expressed skepticism about the role of AI in space exploration. During a 2024 conference, he stated that SpaceX and Starlink utilized minimal AI, remarking that he had yet to find a practical application for it in aerospace. Despite Musk’s earlier reservations, recent advancements in AI technology seem to have influenced his perspective. His AI startup, xAI, recently unveiled Grok 4, a chatbot that Musk claims surpasses the intelligence of most graduate students across various fields. This shift indicates that AI is becoming a focal point for Musk and his ventures, collectively referred to as the “Muskonomy.” Furthermore, Musk announced plans for a shareholder vote at Tesla regarding potential investments in xAI, although he did not specify a date for this decision. Reports have also surfaced indicating that SpaceX is considering a substantial $2 billion investment into xAI. Musk commented on social media, stating, "It's not up to me. If it was up to me, Tesla would have invested in xAI long ago." SpaceX representatives did not respond to inquiries regarding these developments.