Project Engineer, Critical Lift (Starship)

SpaceX; Pennsylvania; On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceX is seeking a Critical Lift & Transport Engineer at Starbase to lead the planning, design, and execution of lifts and transports for Starship hardware and ground support equipment. You will collaborate with structures, manufacturing, and launch ops to ensure safe, compliant, and efficient operations.

Requirements include a bachelor’s degree in engineering, 2+ years of hands-on experience with mechanical/structural hardware, and expertise in CAD, FEA, and lifting standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline.
• 2+ years of hands-on experience working with mechanical and structural hardware.

Responsibilities

• Plan, analyze, and execute critical lifts and heavy-haul transports for large-scale hardware, ensuring safety standards, regulations, and best practices.
• Develop critical lift plans, rigging designs, and transport configurations using CAD, FEA, and center-of-gravity calculations.
• Coordinate with cross-functional teams to assess mass properties, rigging connections, structural capability, and load paths.
• Select and inspect equipment such as cranes, SPMTs, hydraulic trailers, and rigging hardware; verify capacity.
• Conduct risk analyses and fatigue/stress analyses for lifts beyond standard capacities.
• Oversee on-site operations, including dry runs, real-time monitoring, and debriefs.
• Interface with external vendors for equipment rentals and oversee contracted operations.
• Maintain documentation for audits and lessons learned.
• Support off-hour operations and real-time troubleshooting during critical lifts.
• Drive continuous improvement in lift/transport processes and technologies.
• Present certification packages and data to agencies like NASA and US Space Force.

Skills

Crane lifting

Rigging & transport

CAD software

Finite element analysis

Mechanics & materials

SpaceX hardware knowledge

Safety/regulatory compliance

Communication & leadership

Project management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Master’s degree in engineering

Tools

SOLIDWORKS

Siemens NX

ANSYS

FEMAP

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 ofenabling human life on Mars.

CRITICAL LIFT & TRANSPORT ENGINEER(STARSHIP)

SpaceX is currently seeking an individual to join the launch site engineering team in Starbase, TX. As a member of this team, you will have the opportunity to utilize your multi-disciplinary knowledge, experience, and creativity to develop solutions to launch pad operations, ground support equipment, transportation, and production with the goal of maximizing efficiency without sacrificing safety or reliability.

Specifically, you will be responsible for ensuring all aspects of critical transport and lift operations for our Starship and Super Heavy booster vehicles, as well as ground support equipment, have been properly designed, reviewed, and carried out. You will be responsible for addressing complex structural, civil, and mechanical issues that arise and utilizing engineering intuition as well as thorough calculation to provide engineering disposition for the path forward.

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.
• Coordinate 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.
• Ability 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.

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