SpaceX in McGregor, Texas: rocket engine testing facility (2026)
SpaceX's McGregor facility is where every rocket engine gets tested before it flies. Located on 4,300 acres south of Waco, Texas, the site has 16 specialized test stands for acceptance testing, qualification testing, and development.
What gets tested here
Every flight engine — Every Merlin engine (Falcon 9/Heavy), every Draco thruster (Dragon), and every Raptor engine (Starship) undergoes rigorous testing at McGregor before being cleared for flight.
- Raptor 3 — Development and qualification testing for Starship's next-generation engine
- Merlin 1D — Acceptance testing for Falcon 9 first and second stage engines
- Draco/SuperDraco — Dragon capsule thruster testing
- Falcon 9 Stage 2 — Full-duration stage testing
- Long-duration burns — Stress testing and endurance qualification
Jobs and salary
| Role | Salary Range |
|---|---|
| Test Engineer | ~$91,000 |
| Propulsion Engineer | $90,000–$140,000 |
| Test Technician | $50,000–$75,000 |
| Manufacturing/Assembly | $45,000–$65,000 |
| Director-level | $200,000–$480,000+ |
McGregor pays less than SpaceX's Hawthorne HQ or Redmond satellite facility, reflecting the much lower central Texas cost of living. Housing in the Waco-McGregor area is very affordable compared to LA or Seattle.
What it's like to work here
McGregor is a rural facility — the town of McGregor has ~5,000 residents. You'll hear rocket engines firing regularly (the facility has noise easements with surrounding landowners). The work is physically demanding and the environment is industrial.
SpaceX culture applies: long hours (60-80 hour weeks during testing campaigns), intense pace, and high expectations. But McGregor offers something most SpaceX sites don't — affordable housing and a low cost of living in central Texas.
Browse SpaceX positions on Zero G Talent, or see our SpaceX salary guide and SpaceX Starbase Brownsville guide.
