Critical Lift & Transport Technician (Launch)

Starlink; Vandenberg Village (CA); On-site; USD 4,546,000 - 7,164,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceX is seeking a Critical Lift & Transport Technician (Launch) to move Falcon 9 stages and flight hardware at Vandenberg Space Force Base and Long Beach. You’ll perform preventative maintenance on cranes, operate hydraulics, and coordinate packaging and transport with engineers and technicians.

You will need a CDL A with hazmat, NCCCO/NCCER certifications, and a strong safety mindset to navigate a fast-paced aerospace environment while supporting current and future manifests.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalency certificate.
• 1+ years of professional experience in Critical Lift or Heavy Haul.
• Associates degree in aerospace technology or equivalent area of study preferred.
• NCCCO/NCCER certifications in crane, rigging and heavy equipment operations.
• CDL A with hazmat endorsement preferred.
• Experience with SPMTs operations and hydraulic lift trailers is a plus.
• Experience maintaining and troubleshooting complex fluid and mechanical systems.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for Falcon 9 stages, Payload, Dragon capsule and ground support equipment movement.
• Perform preventative maintenance on mobile cranes, cranes, and SPMTs.
• Work with technicians and engineers to ensure transport systems are maintained with high quality.
• Use heavy machinery to lift and move flight hardware and GSE.
• Develop, document and coordinate work instructions for efficient packaging of flight hardware.

Skills

Heavy haul operations

Rigging and cranes

Multitasking

Safety compliance

Communications

Microsoft Office

Education

Associate degree in aerospace technology

High school diploma or equivalency

Tools

NCCCO/NCCER certifications

CDL A with hazmat endorsement

Schematic/blueprint interpretation

Job description

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 Affidaitive Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to [e-mail].