Two former SpaceX technicians are sounding the alarm on what they describe as dysfunction and a dramatic decline in workplace morale at the company's Starbase facility in Brownsville, Texas — and they're calling directly on Elon Musk to intervene.
Morgan Wyatt Khan, an engine install tech who departed the company in April, and Dylan Small, an aircraft mechanic who left in October 2024, according to their LinkedIns, took to social media Tuesday to reflect on their time at SpaceX, and to ask Musk to take the time to reinvigorate the remaining employees allegedly suffering from low morale.
Khan, an U.S. Air Force veteran, lamented being forced to leave a job he loved due to what he described as "disgusting and demoralizing behavior from management."
"S*** is f***ed up, and those trying to fix it are getting silenced, like there's some cover up or mafia activities ongoing," Khan said.
@elonmusk
— Morgan Wyatt Khan (@MorganWKhan) May 13, 2025
Space X shitposting FTW to cope with the atrocious firing.
There are folks that literally talk and joke about eating and sleeping in booster 4 and ship 20.
I've been told there is rocks, bolts, trash, and human waste inside these vehicles but have not been able to… https://t.co/CgD1F1HiXW
Khan alleged internal hostility toward Elon Musk, tool and parts theft, disrespect toward veterans and micromanagement from out-of-touch leaders including rigid time clock systems despite their 12 to 13 hour days. Khan called for an audit, questioned the knowledge of the management team and called out "big culture issues and lifestyle dynamics."
"This isn't a SpaceX or Elon issue, it's MANAGEMENT," Khan wrote.
"Please stop ignoring this and help those that love the program and all that you stand for," he pleaded. "Need some help. Clean up on [aisle] bulls***."
Small, echoed Khan's sentiments, sharing his experiences with allegedly unsafe working conditions, ignored cost-saving proposals and burnout among frontline staff. He claimed ideas were routinely co-opted by engineers and dismissed by management.
Amazing place, terrible management. You’re not wrong.
— Dylan Small (@_DylanSmall_) May 13, 2025
When I was down there, I contracted TB, and the way the company handled it was absolutely unacceptable, zero real support, and a complete lack of care. It was insane.
I also wrote a detailed proposal that could’ve saved… https://t.co/FxJZl2SKti
"I've never seen turnover and management dysfunction like this before," Small said, calling the situation at Starbase "insane."
In a direct appeal to Musk, Small urged the SpaceX CEO to return to the Texas launch site and speak with employees. "Your presence used to drive a fire in the team," he wrote. "Please come back...remind them what we're building and why."
"Everyone still believes in the mission," Small continued. "They need you to help reignite the spark."
SpaceX is not the only company of Musk's to feel his absence as he focuses on his work with the Trump administration leading the Department of Government Efficiency in efforts to dramatically scale back government spending by eliminating departments and firing federal employees. Tesla board members have pleaded Musk to refocus on the electric car company amid plummeting stock prices.
As of Wednesday, Musk — who is currently traveling the Middle East with President Donald Trump — has not responded publicly to the concerns of his company's former employees.
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