Critical Lift & Transport Technician (Launch)

SpaceX
Vandenberg, CA

Who this role is best for

Aimed at mid-level technical professionals with heavy machinery and logistics experience who thrive in collaborative, high-stakes environments.

Best fit for

  • Candidates with 1-2 years of critical lift or heavy haul experience in aerospace or automotive production
    — “Experience within aerospace or automotive production”
  • Individuals who are certified in crane, rigging, and heavy equipment operations with a focus on safety
    — “NCCCO/NCCER certifications in crane, rigging, ironworking and heavy equipment operations”
  • Professionals with a detail-oriented mindset and ability to manage complex logistics under tight deadlines
    — “Must be well organized and able to multi-task, detail oriented while also working within time constraints and deadlines”

Things to consider

  • The role requires U.S. citizenship or specific legal residency status for security clearance
    — “applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident”
  • Candidates must be physically capable of lifting 35 lbs and working at heights up to 300 feet
    — “Able to work at elevated heights (up to 300 feet), including the use of ladder”
  • The position involves significant exposure to extreme weather and hazardous environments
    — “Typically exposed to work in extreme outdoor environments – heat, cold, rain, ice”

How to stand out

  • Highlight experience with complex fluid systems and schematic-based installations
    — “Maintain and install fluid system components from a schematic or drawing”
  • Demonstrate your ability to document and coordinate work instructions effectively
    — “Develop, document, and coordinate work instructions with the management team”
  • Emphasize your experience with route surveys and in-transit risk mitigation
    — “Perform route surveys prior to scheduled flight hardware moves”
  • Showcase your ability to troubleshoot vehicle pressure systems and mechanical issues
    — “Troubleshoot operational issues found on vehicle pressure systems”
  • Demonstrate familiarity with calibrated measurement devices and their use in technical work
    — “Familiarity with calibrated measurement devices including load cells, multimeters”
Pace · Fast PacedCollaboration · HighAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · Team

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

  • high level of quality in transport systems and equipment
  • efficient packaging of flight hardware and equipment
Typical background
professional experience in Critical Lift or Heavy Haul2+ years of experience with SPMTs operations and/or hydraulic lift trailers

Skills & requirements

Required

Preventative MaintenanceHeavy Machinery OperationCrane OperationSPMT OperationHydraulic SystemsFluid System MaintenanceTeam Collaboration

Preferred

Nccco/nccer CertificationsCommercial Driver’s License A With Hazmat EndorsementAerospace Technology

Stack & domain

Falcon 9 StagesPayloadDragon CapsuleGround Support Equipment (gse) MovementPreventative MaintenanceMobile CranesCranesSpmtsHeavy Machinery (forklift, Telescopic, Overhead Crane)Lift And Move Flight HardwareAssociated GSEIn-transit RisksOn-site SolutionsRoutesRepairsEscortsDriversPhysical EscortsCross-country Shipping FixturesFlight HardwareToolsPack UpOrganizeProcureMaintainWork InstructionsRoute SurveysVehicle Pressure SystemsFluid System ComponentsHydraulic Self-propelled Modular TransportersHydraulic BoomsCrawler CranesTear DownAssemblyDifferent ConfigurationsWritten And Oral Communication SkillsAttention To DetailEmphasis On SafetyCleanlinessAdherence To Corporate Policies And StandardsAbility To Work With A TeamNccco/nccer Certifications In Crane, Rigging, Ironworking And Heavy Equipment OperationsAerospace

About the role

Original posting from SpaceX via Greenhouse

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.

CRITICAL LIFT & TRANSPORT TECHNICIAN (LAUNCH) 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Responsible for Falcon 9 stages, Payload, Dragon capsule and associated ground support equipment (GSE) movement across Vandenberg Space Force Base and Long Beach

Perform preventative maintenance on mobile cranes, cranes, and SPMTs

Work with a team of technicians and engineers to ensure transport systems and equipment are maintained with the highest level of quality to support current and future manifests

Utilize heavy machinery (forklift, telescopic, overhead crane) to lift and move flight hardware and associated GSE after delivery and prior to shipping

Evaluate in-transit risks and provide on-site solutions to alleviate risk. Including: routes, repairs, escorts, and drivers – includes physical escorts across launch sites

Pack up and organize cross-country shipping fixtures and associated hardware for return to the respective shipping site

Perform preventative maintenance and repair of shipping fixtures and GSE

Organize, procure, and maintain tools needed to offload and pack up flight hardware 

Develop, document, and coordinate work instructions with the management team to ensure efficient packaging of flight hardware and equipment is maintained

Perform route surveys prior to scheduled flight hardware moves 

Make recommendations to management to improve the health, timing, and safety of all movements

Use various mechanical tools without instruction

Troubleshoot operational issues found on vehicle pressure systems

Maintain and install fluid system components from a schematic or drawing including ball and check valves, pressure regulator and gauges, etc.

Set up, inspect, operate and perform maintenance on hydraulic self-propelled modular transporters, hydraulic booms and crawler cranes.

Perform tear down and assembly of different configurations associated with Cranes and SPMTs

Core traits that empower this success are strong written and oral communication skills, a meticulous attention to detail, an emphasis on safety, cleanliness, adherence to corporate policies and standards, and the ability to work with a team

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

High school diploma or equivalency certificate

1+ years of professional experience in Critical Lift or Heavy Haul

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

Must be well organized and able to multi-task, detail oriented while also working within time constraints and deadlines

2+ years of experience with SPMTs operations and/or hydraulic lift trailers

2+ years of experience in rigging with mobile hydraulic and/or crawler cranes for delicate lifting (ex. wind farms, power plants, oil refineries) 

NCCCO/NCCER certifications in crane, rigging, ironworking and heavy equipment operations (ex. TLL, TSS, LAT, OVR, RIG-I-II, SGP)

Commercial driver’s license A with hazmat endorsement

Excels at operating in an extremely fast paced and dynamic environment (schedules fluctuate often)

Associate degree in aerospace technology or equivalent area of study

Experience within aerospace or automotive production

Experience maintaining and troubleshooting complex fluid and mechanical systems

Familiarity with calibrated measurement devices including load cells, multimeters, calipers, torque wrenches, depth gauges, and micrometers

Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook)

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Ability to pass Air Force background check for Vandenberg Space Force Base

Ability to work the following shift, overtime, and weekends as needed:

Monday - Friday 6:00pm - 4:30pm

Able to lift 35 lbs. unassisted

Lifting, standing, climbing, bending, grasping, sitting, pulling, pushing, stooping, stretching, and carrying are generally required to perform the functions of this position

Able to work at elevated heights (up to 300 feet), including the use of ladder

Willing to operate heavy machinery such as forklifts and overhead cranes

Able to work in confined spaces

Typically exposed to work in extreme outdoor environments – heat, cold, rain, ice

Work performed in an environment requiring exposure to fumes, odors, and noise

Able to and available for travel (up to 20% of time), including military and government installations

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay Range:

Level 1: $33.00 - $41.75

Level 2: $37.50 - $47.25

Level 3: $41.75 - $52.75

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 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 and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and 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 EEOCompliance@spacex.com. 

Source: SpaceX careers (Greenhouse)

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