Critical Lift & Transport Technician (Launch)

SpaceX • Vandenberg Village, CA

4d • $33 - $53 • Onsite

About The Position

SpaceX is hiring a Critical Lift & Transport Technician to support movement of Falcon 9 stages, payloads, Dragon capsules, and associated ground support equipment across Vandenberg Space Force Base and Long Beach. The role maintains transport systems and equipment, supports flight-hardware handling and shipping, and helps ensure movements are safe, efficient, and prepared for current and future launch manifests.

The technician operates and maintains heavy-lift and transport equipment, including cranes, hydraulic self-propelled modular transporters (SPMTs), hydraulic booms, and crawler cranes. The position also involves maintaining and troubleshooting mechanical and fluid systems, coordinating work instructions and route surveys, assessing and mitigating risks during transport, and organizing tools, shipping fixtures, and equipment. The work requires close collaboration with technicians, engineers, and management, with strong attention to safety, detail, cleanliness, communication, and corporate standards.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalency certificate.
• At least 1 year of professional experience in critical lift or heavy haul.
• Ability to pass an Air Force background check for Vandenberg Space Force Base.
• Ability to work the stated Monday–Friday shift and overtime and weekends as needed.
• Ability to lift 35 pounds unassisted.
• Ability to work at heights up to 300 feet, including using ladders.
• Willingness to operate heavy machinery such as forklifts and overhead cranes.
• Ability to work in confined spaces and in extreme outdoor conditions, including heat, cold, rain, and ice.
• Ability to work in environments with fumes, odors, and noise.
• Ability and availability to travel up to 20% of the time, including to military and government installations.
• Ability to perform activities including lifting, standing, climbing, bending, grasping, sitting, pulling, pushing, stooping, stretching, and carrying.
• Strong written and oral communication, attention to detail, emphasis on safety and cleanliness, adherence to corporate policies and standards, and ability to work with a team.

Nice To Haves

• Well organized and able to multitask while maintaining attention to detail and meeting time constraints and deadlines.
• At least 2 years of experience operating SPMTs and/or hydraulic lift trailers.
• At least 2 years of rigging experience with mobile hydraulic and/or crawler cranes for delicate lifting, such as at wind farms, power plants, or oil refineries.
• NCCCO/NCCER certifications in crane, rigging, ironworking, and heavy-equipment operations, such as TLL, TSS, LAT, OVR, RIG-I-II, or SGP.
• Commercial driver’s license Class A with hazmat endorsement.
• Ability to excel in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with frequently changing schedules.
• Associate degree in aerospace technology or an equivalent area of study.
• Experience in aerospace or automotive production.
• Experience maintaining and troubleshooting complex fluid and mechanical systems.
• Familiarity with calibrated measurement devices, including load cells, multimeters, calipers, torque wrenches, depth gauges, and micrometers.
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office, including Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and Outlook.

Responsibilities

• Move Falcon 9 stages, payloads, Dragon capsules, and associated ground support equipment across Vandenberg Space Force Base and Long Beach.
• Perform preventative maintenance on mobile cranes, cranes, SPMTs, shipping fixtures, and ground support equipment.
• Work with technicians and engineers to maintain transport systems and equipment to support current and future manifests.
• Operate heavy machinery, including forklifts, telescopic equipment, and overhead cranes, to lift and move flight hardware and associated ground support equipment after delivery and before shipping.
• Evaluate risks during transit and provide on-site solutions, including route planning, repairs, escorts, and drivers; physically escort equipment across launch sites.
• Pack and organize cross-country shipping fixtures and associated hardware for return to the respective shipping site.
• Organize, procure, and maintain tools needed to offload and pack flight hardware.
• Develop, document, and coordinate work instructions with management for efficient packaging of flight hardware and equipment.
• Perform route surveys before scheduled flight-hardware moves.
• Recommend improvements to the safety, timing, and condition of equipment movements.
• Use mechanical tools without instruction.
• Troubleshoot operational issues in vehicle pressure systems.
• Maintain and install fluid-system components from schematics or drawings, including ball and check valves, pressure regulators, and gauges.
• Set up, inspect, operate, and maintain hydraulic SPMTs, hydraulic booms, and crawler cranes.
• Disassemble and assemble different crane and SPMT configurations.

Benefits

• Potential eligibility for long-term incentives in the form of company stock or long-term cash awards.
• Potential discretionary bonuses.
• Ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
• Medical coverage.
• Vision coverage.
• Dental coverage.
• 401(k) retirement plan.
• Short- and long-term disability insurance.
• Life insurance.
• Paid parental leave.
• Various discounts and perks.
• Accrual of 3 weeks of paid vacation.
• 10 or more paid holidays per year.
• Paid sick leave under company policy.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED