Former SpaceX Engineer Shares Key Lessons for Startup Success from Elon Musk's Companies

Justin Lopas, a 30-year-old co-founder of Base Power, has drawn significant lessons from his extensive experience working at SpaceX and Anduril. These two companies, spearheaded by Elon Musk, have profoundly shaped Lopas’s approach to running his own startup, which specializes in home battery solutions. Lopas began his journey with SpaceX as an intern in 2013 while still a sophomore at the University of Michigan. He returned full-time in 2016 and later transitioned to Anduril in 2020. During his tenure at SpaceX, Lopas was involved in both the development of the Falcon rocket and the expansion of manufacturing capabilities in Boca Chica Village, Texas, which later evolved into the city of Starbase. One of Lopas’s key observations during his interviews at SpaceX and Anduril was the focus on practical problem-solving skills. Instead of testing candidates with hypothetical scenarios or textbook problems, interviewers presented real challenges the company was facing. Lopas has adopted this strategy at Base Power, believing it to be a more effective way to gauge technical talent. For instance, he asks interviewees to solve current problems the company is tackling, rather than standard mechanical engineering questions. Culture is another critical aspect Lopas emphasizes, influenced heavily by his time at SpaceX. He firmly believes that a strong company culture is essential for success. SpaceX emphasized high ownership, where employees take responsibility for issues related to their work, regardless of whether they fall directly under their job descriptions. This principle, according to Lopas, fosters a proactive and accountable workforce. Employees are encouraged to solve problems rather than deflect them, a mindset he is keen to replicate at Base Power. The concept of "first principles" is another foundational element Lopas learned from SpaceX. This approach involves breaking down problems to their fundamental components and questioning traditional methods. Lopas applies this philosophy to various aspects of Base Power, including small operational decisions like mounting batteries on the floor instead of the wall. By doing so, his team often finds innovative and more efficient solutions that deviate from conventional practices. Speed and efficiency are paramount at SpaceX and Anduril, and Lopas has made them central to Base Power’s operations. Both companies prioritize rapid decision-making and execution, minimizing bureaucratic hurdles. Lopas encourages his team to evaluate each process and role to determine if they add value. If not, they are streamlined or eliminated. This approach mirrors Musk’s drastic cost-cutting measures, such as reducing Twitter's staff by nearly 90% post-acquisition. Working directly with Musk in Boca Chica Village, Lopas found the entrepreneur’s ability to quickly grasp complex issues and simplify them particularly impressive. Musk’s hands-on management style, characterized by swift and precise problem-solving, has inspired Lopas to develop a similar leadership approach. He admires Musk’s capacity to learn and understand diverse subjects rapidly, an attribute he sees as crucial for leading a tech startup. Base Power, based in Texas, is in its early stages, but Lopas is optimistic about its future. He aims to build a company that not only adheres to these principles but also stands the test of time. By integrating the lessons learned from SpaceX and Anduril, Lopas believes he can foster a dynamic, efficient, and innovative environment that propels Base Power to success. Industry insiders praise Lopas’s approach, noting that his emphasis on practical skills and a strong company culture aligns well with the demands of today’s tech landscape. SpaceX and Anduril are known for their aggressive timelines and cutting-edge innovations, and Lopas’s ability to distill these elements into his own startup is seen as a significant asset. Base Power, with its focus on home battery solutions, is entering a market with growing demand, driven by the increasing need for reliable renewable energy storage. Lopas’s experience and strategic vision position Base Power as a promising player in this sector.