Elon Musk is hiring at xAI: How to apply for Android engineer jobs and what the company wants

Elon Musk

If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to work closely with Elon Musk, this might be one of those rare chances. Musk’s AI company, xAI, is currently hiring an Android Engineer and the way to apply is far more direct than most people would expect.

There are two ways to put your name forward. One is the traditional route: applying through xAI’s official jobs portal. The other is very on-brand for Musk’s companies — simply sending a direct message on X to Attila Blenesi, an xAI engineer, who has publicly invited candidates to reach out. Either way, the bar is high, and the expectations are clear.

The role is focused on building Android apps, but not just any apps. xAI is looking for someone who is comfortable working with Kotlin, Jetpack Compose, and modern Android development practices. More than that, the company wants engineers who care deeply about how products feel to users. The job description talks about building clean, intuitive experiences and being able to handle large, real-world apps that people actually use.

This isn’t a narrow role where you only focus on one small task. Candidates are expected to take ownership, switch between responsibilities when needed, and be comfortable making decisions. The job is open in multiple locations, including the UK, New York, Palo Alto, and San Francisco.

The interview process is structured but intense. Applicants who apply through the portal are first asked a question that stands out: “What exceptional work have you done?” It’s a reminder that xAI is looking for people who have built things they are genuinely proud of. Shortlisted candidates then go through a brief phone call, followed by two technical rounds. One involves live coding using Jetpack Compose, while the other is a hands-on task using starter code and an external API. The final step is a meet-and-greet with the wider team.

But the hiring push is also tied to Musk’s bigger ambitions. During a recent internal meeting, Musk reportedly told employees that he believes xAI could reach Artificial General Intelligence within the next two years, possibly as early as 2026. He has previously said that the next version of xAI’s model, expected next year, has a small but real chance of hitting that milestone.

Whether or not that timeline holds, one thing is clear: xAI is moving fast. For engineers who want to build ambitious products and be close to the action, this hiring drive is about much more than just a job opening.