Operations Specialist II, Aerospace & Defense (US)

Airspace; Carlsbad (CA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage

Vision coverage

Dental coverage

401K

Training reimbursements

Job summary

Airspace, a tech-enabled freight forwarder based in Carlsbad, CA, seeks an Operations Specialist II to resolve time-critical orders with ownership and initiative. You will start carrier traces, source coverage for shipments, and provide cost estimates for specialized vehicles.

Proactive communication with customers and drivers will be essential to maintain flow. Join a growing team that values rapid decision-making, on-site training, and a commitment to high service standards in a dynamic

Qualifications

• Experience in time-critical logistics or operations.
• Ability to make decisions with incomplete information.
• Proven de-escalation of customer or operational situations.
• Willingness to obtain sector-specific certifications.
• On-site training in Carlsbad, CA when required.

Responsibilities

• Independently start carrier traces for failed-to-load or unavailable shipments.
• Source driver coverage for any segment of an order, including oversized shipments.
• Provide cost estimates to customers for specialized vehicles.
• De-escalate most situations without assistance; escalate only when needed.
• Communicate proactively with customers, drivers, and agents at every step of the shipment process.

Skills

Carrier tracing

Sourcing coverage

Cost estimation

Independent judgment

De-escalation

Time management

Job description

Company Introduction:Airspace is a tech-enabled freight forwarder that’s redefining how the world’s most critical packages are delivered. Headquartered in Carlsbad, California, Airspace has employees who are based around the world. Our European headquarters is in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Company Introduction:Airspace is a tech-enabled freight forwarder that’s redefining how the world’s most critical packages are delivered. Headquartered in Carlsbad, California, Airspace has employees who are based around the world. Our European headquarters is in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. As a recognized leader in AI and machine learning, our team leverages data and patented technology to coordinate logistics across a global network of drivers and airlines. Our goal is to deliver those packages that are truly mission-critical in a way that is faster, more transparent, more secure, and more accountable than ever before. The items we deliver range from organs for transplant, to parts for critical machinery including grounded aircraft and highly sensitive components such as semiconductors. Airspace has been rated one of America’s best Startup Employers and listed as one of CNBC’s Disruptor 50 companies. Airspace has the support of leading investors such as Telstra Ventures, HarbourVest Partners, Defy Partners, DBL Partners, and Scale Ventures. To date the company has raised more than $140m. The company is growing rapidly and serving more places around the world than ever before. We are looking for passionate, motivated individuals who want to make an IMPACT every day to help us execute on our mission of reshaping the world of time-critical logistics.

Own the Judgment Calls That Keep Orders Moving As an Operations Specialist II, you're the person who resolves that moment without waiting for someone else to tell you how. You've mastered the OS I fundamentals and are now trusted to act on incomplete information, source coverage other people can’t, and de-escalate situations independently. This is where reactive execution starts becoming proactive ownership.

What You’ll Do

Must be able to perform all responsibilities included in the Operations Specialist I job description, in addition to the following:

Resolve What Doesn't Fit the Standard Playbook

• Independently start carrier traces for failed-to-load or unable-to-locate shipments
• Source driver coverage for any segment of an order, including oversized shipments
• Use bid/quote request tools to source specialized vehicles and provide cost estimates to customers
• Apply training and tenured knowledge to anticipate complications and proactively solve for them

Exercise Independent Judgment

• De-escalate most situations without assistance
• Know when to escalation an order versus independently resolving it using available resources
• Understand the downstream impact of decisions made within an order

Communicate Proactively and Strengthen the Platform

• Communicate proactively — not just reactively — with customers, drivers, and agents at every step of the shipment process
• Maintain any certifications required for your assigned sector and stay current on related compliance requirements
• Identify and suggest system features or workflow improvements that would help Operations

Maintain a Balanced Level of Performance

As an OS II, you'll be expected to meet minimum metric requirements and customer service standards appropriate for this level. Specific metrics vary by sector and will be communicated by your direct reporting supervisor. Expectations increase with each advancement.

Requirements

• Demonstrated success as an Operations Specialist I, or equivalent time-critical logistics / customer operations experience
• Proven ability to make sound decisions with incomplete information and under time pressure
• Track record of de-escalating difficult customer or operational situations without needing to hand it off
• Comfort sourcing non-standard solutions (specialized vehicles, oversized loads) rather than defaulting to escalation
• Any certifications required for your assigned sector (e.g., Dangerous Goods handling, where applicable), or willingness to obtain them
• Continued availability to work the shift pattern required by your team
• Available for 2 weeks of training in person on-site in our Carlsbad, CA headquarters

Advancement to Operations Specialist III

To advance to OS III, you'll need to demonstrate all of the following:

• Minimum of 6-12 months in the OS II role
• Consistently meeting or exceeding OS II performance standards, tracked through ongoing 1:1 check-ins and confirmed across two consecutive Semi-Annual Reviews (SARs)
• Demonstrated advanced problem-solving proficiency — independently resolving escalations rather than routing them upward
• Working understanding of margin and cost tradeoffs as they relate to order decisions
• Manager recommendation, confirming readiness to operate as an escalation point for the team

Compensation

• Hourly pay range: $23-26/hr
• High-quality health, vision, and dental care plan options
• 401K company contribution program
• Professional learning and training reimbursements

Core Values:

• We are One Team. We believe we all accomplish more when we are working together.
• We make an Impact. We are determined to have a positive influence on our environment, our customers, our industry, and our world.
• We are Passionate. We care deeply about our mission and are not afraid to raise the bar.
• We are Transparent. We pride ourselves on having open, honest, and sincere communication with our team and customers.
• We are Innovative. We never settle and are always striving to improve our product, service, and ourselves.

Airspace is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affimative Action employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. Additionally, Airspace participates in the E-Verify program for all locations.

A friendly reminder

Airspace will only contact candidates from an @airspace.com email, a no-reply notification from [e-mail], or a verified LinkedIn profile. We never request fees or sensitive personal/financial information during recruiting. If something seems suspicious or feels off, please reach out to us at [e-mail] before responding.

For this role the acquisition of recruitment agencies is not appreciated, thank you for your understanding.