SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars.
SR. CRITICAL LIFT & TRANSPORT ENGINEER (FALCON)
SpaceX is currently seeking an individual to join the launch site engineering team in Vandenberg, CA. Specifically, you will be responsible for ensuring all aspects of critical transport and lift operations for our Falcon vehicles and ground support equipment have been properly designed, reviewed, and carried out. You will be responsible for addressing structural, civil, and mechanical issues that arise and utilizing engineering intuition as well as thorough calculation to provide engineering disposition for the path forward. This role requires advanced technical expertise, leadership, and coordination across multiple teams to ensure mission-critical operations are executed flawlessly. SpaceX doesn’t shut down production for maintenance, and instead, we find ways to predict failures and perform the maintenance without interrupting production.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Lead the planning, analysis, and execution of complex critical lifts and heavy-haul transports for large-scale hardware at sea and on land (e.g., rocket stages, ground support equipment, or structural components), ensuring compliance with safety standards, regulations (e.g. OSHA, ASME B30, AFSPCMAN 91-710), internal requirements, and engineering best practices
- Serve as a primary technical authority, coordinating with leadership across structures, manufacturing, launch operations, and supply chain teams to integrate lift/transport operations into program-level plans and schedules
- Develop critical lift plans, rigging designs, and transport configurations using computational tools and center-of-gravity calculations
- Coordinate with cross-functional teams (e.g., vehicle analysis, launch ops, logistics, recovery vessels) to assess hardware mass properties, rigging/lashing connection locations, structural capability, stability, and load paths during lifts and transports
- Develop basic and complex rework work order dispositions for maintenance procedures, emergency procedures, and equipment upgrades, including custom hardware installs without design references on self-propelled modular transporters (SPMTs), diesel engines, conventional hydraulic trailers, and crane & rigging hardware
- Conduct and communicate requirements, risk assessments, hazard analyses, and fatigue/stress analyses for transport and lifts
- Oversee on-site operations, including pre-lift dry runs, real-time monitoring, and post-operation debriefs
- Interface with external vendors for specialized equipment rentals and oversee contracted operations involving cranes, rigging, hydraulic trailers, and marine transport
- Maintain documentation, including engineering calculations, drawings, and reports for regulatory audits and lessons learned
- Support off-hour operations as needed, including real-time troubleshooting and issue resolution during high-stakes/first-time lifts or transports
- Drive continuous improvement and development in lift/transport processes, such as streamlining existing workflows and adopting new technologies
- Represent SpaceX by presenting certification packages and engineering data to US government agencies, including NASA, US Space Force, and others
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline
- 5+ years of hands-on experience working with mechanical and structural hardware
- 2+ years of experience with crane lifting, crane rigging or crane transport operations
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
- 7+ years of experience in critical heavy lifts, rigging engineering, and heavy transport in aerospace, energy, defense, or construction sectors.
- Familiarity with Roll-On, Roll-Off (RORO) barge operations and working with cargo securing manuals for at-sea operations
- Experience prioritizing and executing tasks in high-pressure, fast-paced industrial environments while operating with or around hazardous systems (high pressure, high energy, hazardous gases & fluids, etc.)
- Experience using Siemens NX, SOLIDWORKS, or similar CAD software
- Strong understanding of mechanics, including statics, dynamics, materials science, and failure modes
- Familiarity with relevant lifting standards and regulations, particularly AFSPCMAN 91-710
- Expertise in specialized equipment like crawler cranes, all-terrain cranes, SPMTs, jacks, and gantries
- Experience reviewing data from anomalies and identifying root cause
- Professional certifications such as crane operator + rigger (NCCCO + NCCER) or Professional Engineer (PE) license
- Ability to prioritize and execute tasks in a high-pressure, fast paced environment
- Knowledge of SpaceX-specific or similar hardware (e.g., Falcon/Starship transport logistics)
- Strong communication skills for presenting complex plans to leadership and training junior staff
- Master's degree in a relevant engineering discipline or related advanced training
- Strong work ethic and drive for constant improvement balanced with the ability to work effectively in a team environment
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Must be willing to work weekends and night shifts as needed
- Ability to pass Air Force background check for Vandenberg Space Force Base
- Must be willing to travel to other launch sites in support of operational activities and launches; travel requirement is up to 25%
- Lifting, standing, climbing, bending, grasping, sitting, pulling, pushing, stooping, stretching, and carrying are generally required to perform the functions of this position
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:
Pay range:
Critical Lift & Transport Engineer/Senior: $130,000.00 - $180,000.00/per year
Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.
Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock, stock options, or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short & long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation & will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Employees accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law.
ITAR REQUIREMENTS:
- To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.
SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.
Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX’s Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to [email protected].