Building the next International Space Station, SWEs from Google, Meta, Salesforce, & Chime on May 9th on Zoom 🎉
- Date
- 2024-05-09
- Host
- Headstarter Events
About this event
Space systems force engineers to think differently: reliability matters more, constraints are harsher, and every decision has consequences far beyond a single deploy. This event brings that mindset into focus through a conversation about building the next International Space Station, with software engineers from Google, Meta, Salesforce, and Chime sharing how they approach complex technical work, collaboration, and careers at serious scale. If you care about software, ambitious systems, or the future of space infrastructure, this is a chance to hear how experienced engineers think through hard problems. Expect a practical, grounded session that connects big ideas with the day-to-day realities of engineering. About the Event This is a community-driven meetup centered on one of the most compelling prompts in engineering right now: what does it take to build the next International Space Station? Rather than treating space as a distant abstraction, the event uses that question to open up a broader discussion about systems design, technical decision-making, and how engineers from leading companies approach high-stakes work. The lineup highlighted in the title includes software engineers from Google, Meta, Salesforce, and Chime. That mix matters. It suggests a conversation shaped by different engineering cultures, different types of scale, and different ways of solving problems, which makes the session especially useful for attendees who want more than surface-level inspiration. Although the event title mentions Zoom, the listed location type is in person, so attendees should plan around the event page details and be ready for a live meetup format. The tone is best understood as part technical discussion, part community gathering, and part networking opportunity for people interested in software, space, and thoughtful career conversations. What to Expect You can expect a structured evening that likely balances speaker insights with audience interaction and informal connection. The central theme gives the event a strong backbone: building something as ambitious as a future space station naturally leads into discussions about architecture, reliability, integration, team coordination, and long-term thinking. Topics that attendees will likely hear explored include: How large engineering challenges are framed when the requirements are complex and the tradeoffs are real What software engineers can learn from space systems thinking, including resilience, precision, and designing for failure How engineering work differs across major companies, from tooling and process to team structure and execution Career lessons from engineers at well-known organizations, especially for people deciding where they want to grow next Networking and community conversation with others drawn to space, software, and ambitious technical problems Because this is also tagged as a meetup and networking event, expect the value to extend beyond the formal discussion. These settings are often where the most useful follow-up questions get asked: how people broke into their roles, what skills mattered most, what surprised them in industry, and how they evaluate meaningful technical opportunities. If you attend with curiosity and a few thoughtful questions, you will likely get more out of the night than you would from a passive talk. This is the kind of event where a strong question about systems design, engineering culture, or career choices can lead to a genuinely memorable conversation. Why Attend The biggest reason to attend is the combination of theme and perspective. “Building the next International Space Station” is a powerful lens because it pushes the conversation beyond ordinary product development. It invites attendees to think about software in the context of mission-critical systems, long timelines, interdisciplinary coordination, and engineering decisions that need to hold up under pressure. There is also clear value in hearing from engineers associated with Google, Meta, Salesforce, and Chime in one setting. Even if the conversation stays high-level, exposure to multiple viewpoints can sharpen how you think about your own work. You may leave with a better sense of what strong engineering looks like across environments, not just inside one company or one type of team. This event should be especially useful if you are trying to do any of the following: Expand your technical perspective beyond your current stack or product area Learn how experienced engineers reason through complexity rather than just hearing polished outcomes Explore the intersection of software and space without needing a formal aerospace background Meet peers who are similarly motivated by ambitious ideas, deep technology, and career growth For many attendees, the practical takeaway will not be a single tactic but a better framework. You may come away thinking differently about reliability, collaboration, or what kinds of problems you want to spend your time solving. Practical Details The event is scheduled for Thursday, May 9 at 7:30 PM EDT. That evening timing makes it accessible for students, working engineers, and community members looking for a focused session after the workday. The listing currently notes Location: In person, while the title references Zoom. Because those details point in different directions, attendees should confirm the final format on the event page before making plans. If you are attending, it is worth checking for any last-minute updates on access, arrival instructions, or remote participation details. A few smart ways to prepare: Bring specific questions about engineering tradeoffs, career paths, or space-related systems thinking Be ready to introduce yourself briefly if there is networking time Arrive with an interest in both technical depth and conversation, since this appears to be more than a one-way talk Review the timing in EDT so you can convert accurately if needed If you are the kind of person who gets energized by serious technical ideas and wants to meet others who feel the same, this event offers a strong reason to show up.
Who should attend
This is for people who want thoughtful engineering conversation, not just broad motivation. - You should come if you are a **software engineer or developer** who enjoys thinking about large, complex systems and wants to hear how engineers from major companies approach difficult technical work. - You will likely get a lot out of this if you are **curious about space, infrastructure, or mission-critical technology**, even if you do not come from an aerospace background. - This event fits you well if you are a **student, early-career engineer, or career-switcher** looking for a clearer picture of how strong engineers think, communicate, and grow. - You should attend if you want to **learn from multiple engineering perspectives at once**, rather than hearing only one company’s way of doing things. - You will feel at home here if you value **community and networking** and want to meet other people who care about software, ambitious ideas, and meaningful technical challenges. - This is especially relevant if you are the kind of attendee who likes to **ask good questions**, compare approaches, and leave with a sharper sense of what problems you want to work on next.