Critical Lift & Transport Engineer (Falcon)

Responsibilities

• Plan, analyze, and execute 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
• Develop critical lift plans, rigging designs, and transport configurations using computational tools and center-of-gravity calculations
• Cook up 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
• 2+ years of hands-on experience working with mechanical and structural hardware

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• 1+ years of experience with crane lifting, rigging, or transport operations
• 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
• Able 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