SR. CRITICAL LIFT & TRANSPORT ENGINEER (FALCON) 

SpaceX is currently seeking an individual to join the launch site engineering team in Vandenberg, CA. Specifically, you will be responsible for ensuring all aspects of critical transport and lift operations for our Falcon vehicles and ground support equipment have been properly designed, reviewed, and carried out. You will be responsible for addressing structural, civil, and mechanical issues that arise and utilizing engineering intuition as well as thorough calculation to provide engineering disposition for the path forward. This role requires advanced technical expertise, leadership, and coordination across multiple teams to ensure mission-critical operations are executed flawlessly. SpaceX doesn’t shut down production for maintenance, and instead, we find ways to predict failures and perform the maintenance without interrupting production.

RESPONSIBILITIES:  

• Lead the planning, analysis, and execution of complex critical lifts and heavy-haul transports for large-scale hardware at sea and on land (e.g., rocket stages, ground support equipment, or structural components), ensuring compliance with safety standards, regulations (e.g. OSHA, ASME B30, AFSPCMAN 91-710), internal requirements, and engineering best practices
• Serve as a primary technical authority, coordinating with leadership across structures, manufacturing, launch operations, and supply chain teams to integrate lift/transport operations into program-level plans and schedules
• Develop critical lift plans, rigging designs, and transport configurations using computational tools and center-of-gravity calculations
• Coordinate with cross-functional teams (e.g., vehicle analysis, launch ops, logistics, recovery vessels) to assess hardware mass properties, rigging/lashing connection locations, structural capability, stability, and load paths during lifts and transports
• Develop basic and complex rework work order dispositions for maintenance procedures, emergency procedures, and equipment upgrades, including custom hardware installs without design references on self-propelled modular transporters (SPMTs), diesel engines, conventional hydraulic trailers, and crane & rigging hardware
• Conduct and communicate requirements, risk assessments, hazard analyses, and fatigue/stress analyses for transport and lifts
• 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 streamlining existing workflows and 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
• 5+ years of hands-on experience working with mechanical and structural hardware
• 2+ years of experience with crane lifting, crane rigging or crane transport operations

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• 7+ years of experience in critical heavy lifts, rigging engineering, and heavy transport in aerospace, energy, defense, or construction sectors.
• Familiarity with Roll-On, Roll-Off (RORO) barge operations and working with cargo securing manuals for at-sea 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 Siemens NX, SOLIDWORKS, or similar CAD software
• Strong understanding of mechanics, including statics, dynamics, materials science, and failure modes
• Familiarity with relevant lifting standards and regulations, particularly AFSPCMAN 91-710
• 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 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
• Ability to pass Air Force background check for Vandenberg Space Force Base
• 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

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:

Pay range:
Critical Lift & Transport Engineer/Senior: $130,000.00 - $180,000.00/per year

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, stock options, 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 & long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation & 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.

LAUNCH ENGINEER, GROUND SUPPORT EQUIPMENT (FALCON)

SpaceX is currently seeking talented individuals for a ground system engineering position on the Falcon Integration team in Vandenberg. You will have the opportunity to utilize your knowledge, experience, and creativity to rapidly design, build, and activate fluid and mechanical systems required to support all aspects of SpaceX Falcon 9 vehicle processing, spacecraft integration, and umbilical refurb.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Design, build, and activate equipment to support all aspects of launch site vehicle processing and launch, including structural, tooling/fixtures, fluids, and transport equipment
• This team supports Stage 1, Stage 2, Fairing, launch site payload operations, from Dockside to Launch, with a focus on vehicle interface tooling for structural and fluid connections
• This team also supports every flight inspection, refurbishment operations for all the umbilicals for pad operations
• Use hand calculations, finite element analyses (FEA), and computer-aided designs (CAD) to ensure all hardware meets or exceeds internal and customer requirements
• Lead design reviews and activation testing
• Serve as a technical interface to customers and suppliers
• Monitor and participate in ground system build and test, hands-on in the field, alongside skilled technician teams
• Collaborate with engineers and technicians when performing critical operations on non-flight hardware including mechanical, hydraulic, and pneumatic systems
• Perform continuing engineering and production support of ground support equipment to support a 99%+ uptime to support flight hardware integration activities

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline
• 1+ years of hands-on hardware experience performing fabrication, assembly and/or testing

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Experience with NX/Teamcenter designing parts and assemblies
• Experience with CAD and FEA software packages (can be in a professional, academic, entrepreneurial, or hobby setting)
• Experience with at least one commercial FEA or multiphysics simulation package (NASTRAN, ABAQUS, ANSYS, CFD codes, etc.)
• Demonstrated ability to own hardware or systems within an integrated engineering team outside a classroom setting (FSAE, Engineers without Borders, Design-Build-Fly, NASA student launch, personal entrepreneurial ventures, etc.)
• Analytical/scientific programming experience (Python, MATLAB, Excel, etc.)
• Hands-on experience working with, troubleshooting, and/or designing complex fluid systems that involve pressure vessels, filters, pressure relief valves, manual valves, regulators, and gauges.
• Demonstrated expertise in the design, build, and operation of systems per any of the following:
• Fluids -ASME B31.3, ASME B&PV Code Section VIII
• Mechanical: AFSPCMAN 91-710, ASME B30, ASME BTH-1, NASA-STD-5005
• Excellent written and oral communication, especially translating technical concepts for non-technical audiences
• General hands-on mechanical experience: welding, automotive, robotics, rocketry, etc.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, autonomously driven, and demanding atmosphere
• Unfazed by change in strategic direction

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to pass Air Force background check for Vandenberg Space Force Base, CA
• Physical effort including standing, lifting and carrying moderately heavy materials or equipment (15 to 30 lbs.)
• Overall mental fitness with the ability to work in a high-concentration, high-stress environment requiring prolonged mental concentration (under possible extended work hours)
• Ability to be flexible on shifts
• Occasional travel may be required

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:

Pay range:
Launch Engineer/Level I: $100,000.00 - $115,000.00/per year
Launch Engineer/Level II: $110,000.00 - $135,000.00/per year

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, stock options, 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 & long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation & 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.

CRITICAL LIFT & TRANSPORT ENGINEER (FALCON) 

SpaceX is currently seeking an individual to join the launch site engineering team in Vandenberg, CA as a Critical Lift & Transport (CLT) Engineer. Specifically, you will be responsible for ensuring all aspects of critical transport and lift operations for our Falcon vehicles and ground support equipment have been properly designed, reviewed, and carried out. You will be responsible for addressing structural, civil, and mechanical issues that arise and utilizing engineering intuition as well as thorough calculation to provide engineering disposition for the path forward. This role requires advanced technical expertise, leadership, and coordination across multiple teams to ensure mission-critical operations are executed flawlessly. SpaceX doesn’t shut down production for maintenance, and instead, we find ways to predict failures and perform the maintenance without interrupting production.

RESPONSIBILITIES:  

• Plan, analyze, and execute critical lifts and heavy-haul transports for large-scale hardware at sea and on land (e.g., rocket stages, ground support equipment, or structural components), ensuring compliance with safety standards, regulations (e.g. OSHA, ASME B30, AFSPCMAN 91-710), internal requirements, and engineering best practices
• Develop critical lift plans, rigging designs, and transport configurations using computational tools and center-of-gravity calculations
• Coordinate with cross-functional teams (e.g., vehicle analysis, launch ops, logistics, recovery vessels) to assess hardware mass properties, rigging/lashing connection locations, structural capability, stability, and load paths during lifts and transports
• Develop basic and complex rework work order dispositions for maintenance procedures, emergency procedures, and equipment upgrades, including custom hardware installs without design references on self-propelled modular transporters (SPMTs), diesel engines, conventional hydraulic trailers, and crane & rigging hardware
• Conduct and communicate requirements, risk assessments, hazard analyses, and fatigue/stress analyses for transport and lifts
• 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 streamlining existing workflows and 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
• Familiarity with Roll-On, Roll-Off (RORO) barge operations and working with cargo securing manuals for at-sea 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 Siemens NX, SOLIDWORKS, or similar CAD software
• Strong understanding of mechanics, including statics, dynamics, materials science, and failure modes
• Familiarity with relevant lifting standards and regulations, particularly AFSPCMAN 91-710
• 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 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
• Ability to pass Air Force background check for Vandenberg Space Force Base
• 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

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:

Pay range:
Critical Lift & Transport Engineer/Level I: $100,000.00 - $115,000.00/per year
Critical Lift & Transport Engineer/Level II: $110,000.00 - $135,000.00/per year

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, stock options, 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 & long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation & 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.

INTEGRATION & TEST ENGINEER (FALCON)

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Process Falcon 9 flight vehicles in the pursuit of rapid and reliable rocket re-use, integration and launch
• Develop and execute procedures for the checkout and integration of new and flight proven rockets and ground support equipment
• Assist with and lead hands-on assembly, integration, and testing of new and flight-proven vehicle assemblies
• Lead critical on-site operations while collaborating with engineering staff from other departments and SpaceX locations to resolve off-nominal test results and ensure flight readiness
• Partner with, and provide direction to highly skilled field technicians on a daily basis
• Design and develop tools and hardware to enable vehicle assembly and conduct vehicle system testing
• Identify high-risk processes and problems during flight hardware processing, and proactively implement improvements to ensure operational excellence
• Lead and facilitate root cause and corrective action investigations to ensure that issues related to product reliability and quality that cause downstream disruption are corrected
• Rapidly develop and refine manufacturing assembly procedures based on lessons learned
• Manage work orders and the driving of non-conformances into actionable items and system improvements

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline
• 1+ years of hands-on experience with mechanical, electrical and/or fluid systems in the design, manufacturing, or implementation phases (class projects and/or internship experience qualifies)

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Advanced degree in one of the following engineering disciplines: mechatronics, mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, electrical engineering, or computer engineering
• 3+ years of professional experience designing, building, integrating, and testing complex multi-disciplinary systems
• Experience writing test plans and test procedures
• Experience working on projects that involve the integration of electrical, mechanical, and software systems (launch vehicle and/or spacecraft experience is not required)
• Proficient in or hands-on experience with one or more of the following: launch vehicle or spacecraft integration; composite structure design or testing; test operations with gases/fluids; data acquisition setup and field measurements
• Professional experience testing and operating with or around hazardous systems (high pressure, high energy, hazardous gases/fluids, etc.)
• Professional experience working with large assembly moves (e.g. crane operations)
• Flight hardware avionics experience
• Ability to communicate clearly and accurately with a wide range of people
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, autonomously driven, and demanding start-up atmosphere
• Ability to learn, lead others, and help others learn while maintaining productivity
• Advanced degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, computer science, mechatronics, mechanical engineering, and/or aerospace engineering

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to pass Air Force background check for Vandenberg
• Physical effort including standing, lifting and carrying moderately heavy materials or equipment (15 to 35 lbs.)
• Overall mental fitness with the ability to work in a high-concentration, high-stress environment requiring prolonged mental concentration (under possible extended work hours)
• Ability to be flexible on shifts
• Occasional travel may be required

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay range: 
Integration & Test Engineer/Level I: $100,000.00 - $115,000.00/per year
Integration & Test Engineer/Level II: $110,000.00 - $135,000.00/per year

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, stock options, 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.