Critical Lift & Transport Engineer (Starship)

Responsibilities

• Plan, analyze, and execute critical lifts and heavy-haul transports for large-scale hardware (e.g., rocket stages, ground support equipment, or structural components), ensuring compliance with safety standards, regulations (e.g., OSHA, ASME B30), and engineering best practices.
• Develop critical lift plans, rigging designs, and transport configurations using tools like AutoCAD, finite element analysis (FEA), and center-of-gravity calculations.
• Cook up with cross-functional teams (e.g., vehicle structures, manufacturing, launch ops, logistics) to assess hardware mass properties, rigging/lashing connection locations, structural capability, stability, and load paths during lifts and transports.
• Select and specify equipment such as mobile/crawler cranes, self-propelled modular transporters (SPMTs), conventional hydraulic trailers, and rigging hardware; perform equipment inspections and capacity verifications.
• Conduct risk assessments, hazard analyses, and fatigue/stress analyses for lifts exceeding standard capacities.
• 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 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.
• 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 SOLIDWORKS, Siemens NX, or similar CAD software.
• Proficiency in engineering analysis software (e.g. ANSYS, FEMAP or similar finite element analysis software) for static/dynamic load modeling.
• Strong understanding of mechanics, including statics, dynamics, materials science, and failure modes.
• Familiarity with relevant lifting standards and regulations.
• 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.
• Able 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 to 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.
• 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.

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.