Heavy Equipment Operator (Starship)

Rocket Lab; Cape Canaveral (FL); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Lab is seeking a Heavy Equipment Operator to maintain compliance with safety protocols while operating various equipment at Cape Canaveral. Candidates are expected to handle both equipment operation and manual labor, ensuring construction projects stay on schedule. The role demands physical capability and prior experience in the field.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience in a construction environment.
• Valid CDL preferred.
• Skills in area, volume, and grade calculations.

Responsibilities

• Operate heavy equipment and conduct routine inspections.
• Support excavation and construction activities.
• Engage in manual labor as needed.

Skills

Operating heavy equipment

Preventative maintenance

Field coordination

Education

High school diploma or equivalency certificate

Tools

Excavators

Bulldozers

Graders

Loaders

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.

HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (STARSHIP)

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Operate heavy equipment in compliance with the company's operating safety policies and procedures
• Conduct routine equipment inspections and preventative maintenance on equipment
• Move and position raw materials and finished components with the use of material-moving equipment
• Support inspection and maintenance of excavators, backhoes, bulldozers, graders, or loaders
• Daily field coordination with leadership
• Support labor as necessary to best meet construction deadlines, inclusive of both the operation of heavy equipment (60-70% of the time) and manual labor (30-40% of the time)

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school diploma or equivalency certificate
• 2+ years of experience operating heavy equipment in a construction environment

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Valid CDL
• Experience installing civil infrastructure projects such as underground utilities
• Experience working with excavators, loaders, motor graders, dozers, or trenchers
• Experience performing area, volume and grade calculations in the field

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to pass Air Force background check for Cape Canaveral
• Must be available to work all shifts, overtime, and weekends as needed
• Must be able to climb ladders and work in tight spaces
• Required to exert physical effort in handling objects up to 50 pounds
• Required to be exposed to physical environment which involves dirt, odors, noise, weather extremes or similar elements most of the work day

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 [e-mail].