Critical Lift & Transport Technician (Launch)

About the Role

SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to enable human life on Mars.

Key Responsibilities

• Responsible for movement of Falcon 9 stages, Payload, Dragon capsule, and associated ground support equipment (GSE) across Vandenberg Space Force Base and Long Beach.
• Perform preventative maintenance on mobile cranes, cranes, and SPMTs.
• Work with a team of technicians and engineers to ensure transport systems and equipment are maintained with the highest level of quality to support current and future manifests.
• Utilize heavy machinery (forklift, telescopic, overhead crane) to lift and move flight hardware and associated GSE after delivery and prior to shipping.
• Evaluate in-transit risks and provide on-site solutions to alleviate risk, including routes, repairs, escorts, and drivers – includes physical escorts across launch sites.
• Pack up and organize cross-country shipping fixtures and associated hardware for return to the respective shipping site.
• Perform preventative maintenance and repair of shipping fixtures and GSE.
• Organize, procure, and maintain tools needed to offload and pack up flight hardware.
• Develop, document, and coordinate work instructions with the management team to ensure efficient packaging of flight hardware and equipment is maintained.
• Perform route surveys prior to scheduled flight hardware moves.
• Make recommendations to management to improve the health, timing, and safety of all movements.
• Use various mechanical tools without instruction.
• Troubleshoot operational issues found on vehicle pressure systems.
• Maintain and install fluid system components from a schematic or drawing, including ball and check valves, pressure regulators, and gauges.
• Set up, inspect, operate, and perform maintenance on hydraulic self-propelled modular transporters (SPMTs), hydraulic booms, and crawler cranes.
• Perform tear down and assembly of different configurations associated with Cranes and SPMTs.
• Core traits include strong written and oral communication skills, meticulous attention to detail, emphasis on safety, cleanliness, adherence to corporate policies and standards, and the ability to work with a team.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• High school diploma or equivalency certificate.
• 1+ years of professional experience in Critical Lift or Heavy Haul.
• SPMTs operations and/or hydraulic lift trailers experience.
• Experience in rigging with mobile hydraulic and/or crawler cranes for delicate lifting.
• NCCCO/NCCER certifications in crane, rigging, ironworking, and heavy equipment operations (e.g., TLL, TSS, LAT, OVR, RIG-I-II, SGP).
• Commercial driver’s license A with hazmat endorsement.
• Experience operating in an extremely fast-paced and dynamic environment.
• Aerospace or automotive production experience.
• 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 (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook).

Qualifications

• Associate degree in aerospace technology or equivalent area of study.
• Ability to pass Air Force background check for Vandenberg Space Force Base.
• Ability to work the following shift, overtime, and weekends as needed: Monday - Friday 6:00pm - 4:30pm.
• Able to lift 35 lbs. unassisted.
• Lifting, standing, climbing, bending, grasping, sitting, pulling, pushing, stooping, stretching, and carrying are generally required to perform the functions of this position.
• Able to work at elevated heights (up to 300 feet), including the use of a ladder.
• Willing to operate heavy machinery such as forklifts and overhead cranes.
• Able to work in confined spaces.
• Typically exposed to work in extreme outdoor environments – heat, cold, rain, ice.
• Work performed in an environment requiring exposure to fumes, odors, and noise.
• Able to and available for travel (up to 20% of time), including military and government installations.

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.