Elon Musk recently announced plans to relocate SpaceX’s headquarters from California to Texas. This major shift has prompted some of SpaceX’s competitors to seize the opportunity by actively recruiting SpaceX employees. At least two rival space companies have publicly appealed to SpaceX staff, offering enticing incentives to lure them away from Musk’s company.
One such competitor is Latitude, a rocket startup based in France. Stanislas Maximin, the CEO of Latitude, made a direct appeal to SpaceX employees who might be dissatisfied with the move to Texas.
Maximin reached out via social media, inviting those interested in joining a “highly ambitious” rocket company to consider relocating to France. To sweeten the deal, he promised to offer engineers 12 bottles of champagne as a gesture of welcome.
SpaceX Competitors Recruit Staff Amid Headquarters Move to TexasMaximin assured potential recruits that Latitude would handle all aspects of the relocation process, including moving logistics, visa arrangements, healthcare, housing, and even finding employment for their spouses.
He noted that a few individuals had already made the transition and encouraged others to follow suit. A spokesperson for Latitude confirmed to Business Insider that the company was keen on hiring US talent and welcoming those who were uneasy about SpaceX’s move.
Another company reaching out to SpaceX employees is AstroForge, an asteroid mining startup. Having previously used a SpaceX rocket for its 2023 mission, AstroForge advertised its job openings in Seal Beach, California, in response to Musk’s announcement. The company’s outreach highlights its interest in attracting experienced professionals from SpaceX.
Musk’s decision to move both SpaceX and X headquarters to Texas is linked to his objections to a new California law that protects LGBTQ+ youth, which he has criticized as detrimental to both families and businesses.
SpaceX, which leads the space industry in launch activity, has recently faced scrutiny over its workplace culture, with former employees filing a lawsuit alleging a hostile and misogynistic environment. Despite these issues, SpaceX’s competitors continue to vie for its talent, capitalizing on the current situation.