Senior Critical Lift & Transport Engineer - Falcon Ops

SpaceX; Vandenberg SFB (CA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Long-term incentives

Medical coverage

Dental & vision

401(k)

Paid vacation

Paid holidays

Parental leave

Job summary

SpaceX is seeking a Sr. Critical Lift & Transport Engineer (Falcon) to join the launch site engineering team in Vandenberg, CA. You will lead complex lifts and heavy-haul transports for large-scale hardware, ensuring safety standards compliance and cross-team coordination.

The role requires advanced technical expertise, leadership, and the ability to work with diverse teams across structures, manufacturing, launch operations, and supply chain. ITAR and on-call responsibilities apply.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline
• 5+ years of hands-on experience with mechanical and structural hardware
• 2+ years of experience with crane lifting, crane rigging or crane transport operations

Responsibilities

• Lead planning, analysis, and execution of complex critical lifts and heavy-haul transports
• Coordinate with leadership across structures, manufacturing, launch operations, and supply chain teams
• Develop critical lift plans, rigging designs, and transport configurations
• Coordinate with cross-functional teams to assess mass properties, rigging connections, structural capability, stability, and load paths
• Develop rework work order dispositions for maintenance procedures, emergency procedures, and equipment upgrades
• 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
• Maintain documentation for regulatory audits and lessons learned
• Represent SpaceX by presenting certification packages to US government agencies

Skills

Crane lifting

Rigging engineering

Heavy transport

Structural analysis

Project leadership

Field operations

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Master's degree in engineering

Tools

Siemens NX

SOLIDWORKS

Job description

SpaceX is seeking a Sr. Critical Lift & Transport Engineer (Falcon) to join the launch site engineering team in Vandenberg, CA. You will lead complex lifts and heavy-haul transports for large-scale hardware, ensuring safety standards compliance and cross-team coordination.

The role requires advanced technical expertise, leadership, and the ability to work with diverse teams across structures, manufacturing, launch operations, and supply chain. ITAR and on-call responsibilities apply.