After IPO: Former SpaceX Welder Becomes Millionaire – Now Works for Blue Origin
Juan Hernandez, an immigrant who joined SpaceX in 2015, became a millionaire after the company's IPO. He now works for Blue Origin, having received shares as part of his compensation.
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As an immigrant, Juan Hernandez joined SpaceX in 2015, claiming he had never heard of the company before. Following the successful IPO of Elon Musk's aerospace firm, Hernandez has become a millionaire. He is now working for Blue Origin.
On June 12, 2026, SpaceX launched the largest IPO in history, making CEO Elon Musk the first billionaire. SpaceX raised $75 billion in the IPO, achieving a market capitalization of $2.1 trillion.
4,400 SpaceX Employees Are Millionaires
But it’s not just Musk who has become significantly richer overnight – at least on paper. According to an analysis by Hill.com, over 4,400 current and former employees have become millionaires as a result of the SpaceX IPO.
Among them, 400 individuals have reportedly become centi-millionaires, holding SpaceX shares worth $100 million or more. According to Hill.com, this is an unusually high number for an IPO. “This demonstrates the enormous wealth that has been created here,” the analysis states.
One of those who became a millionaire after the successful SpaceX IPO is Juan Hernandez. The family man, who immigrated from Mexico to the USA, started working as a welder at SpaceX in 2015. At that time, he claimed he did not know the company, as he told CBS.
Welder Receives Company Shares
For the first time in his professional life in the USA, Hernandez received stock as part of his compensation at SpaceX. He worked there for a total of ten years, where he was involved in preparing rockets for launch.
The employee participation in the company is sensible, he said, as it makes them feel included and part of the success. This leads to better performance because they know that this is also their company.
With the closing price of SpaceX shares on Friday, June 12, 2026, the 6,500 shares that Hernandez holds are worth approximately $1.05 million. Despite the sudden wealth, he does not intend to stop working. However, the welder is no longer at SpaceX but is now working for its rival, Blue Origin.
Some Employees Exchanged Shares
According to the New York Times, not all former SpaceX employees were so confident that their shares in the aerospace company would eventually turn into cash. Especially since Musk has repeatedly spoken disparagingly about publicly traded companies and the associated reporting obligations.
As a result, some employees reportedly exchanged their SpaceX shares over the years for restaurant vouchers. These employees now naturally regret this, as stated by the company.