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 of enabling human life on Mars.

OPERATIONS ENGINEER, TRANSPORT AND CRITICAL LIFT

As a member of the Critical Lift team you will have the opportunity to utilize your multi-disciplinary knowledge, experience, and creativity to develop solutions to heavy-lift operations and flight-hardware logistics 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 as well as the associated 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 a path forward.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Serve as the responsible engineer for multiple launch pad and production site transport and lift operations to ensure operational success
• Utilize AutoCAD and lift planning software to design and review operations ahead of execution
• Write and implement critical lift and transport plans
• Utilize FEM software (e.g. ANSYS, FEMAP) and rigorous hand calculations to facilitate design and issue disposition
• Work with, and direct (hands-on), a skilled workforce of operators, riggers, and technicians to carry out troubleshooting, maintenance activities, upgrades, and operational procedures
• Contribute to the development and improvement of the processes and functional operations relating to the systems for which you are responsible
• Coordinate with outside rigging + heavy lift vendors for lifting and transport operations and oversee/direct all contracted operations involving flight hardware
• Design and identify acceptable rigging/lifting/transport hardware and connection points by reviewing and analyzing various structural, stability, and mass/cg of the object
• Identify and implement upgrades and inspections/maintenance to drive continuous improvement in these areas by interfacing regularly with various teams across SpaceX
• Develop and perform post operation data reviews for your respective systems and tasks, both automated and manual
• Serve as the engineer for the cranes, self-propelled modular transports and other material handling equipment during new vehicle and pad builds, refurbishment and launch operations. In this role, you will be responsible for real-time troubleshooting and resolution of issues
• Represent SpaceX by presenting certification packages and engineering data to U.S. government agencies including NASA, US Air Force and others
• Utilize a high-end CAD software design package (NX) to facilitate design and engineering drawing creation as well as issue disposition

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline or physics
• 2+ years of professional experience working with mechanical and/or structural hardware
• 1+ years of professional experience with crane lifting, crane rigging or crane transport operations

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical or civil engineering
• Experience testing and operating with or around hazardous systems (high pressure, high energy, hazardous gases & fluids, etc.)
• Experience with heavy crane lifting rigging and transport operations
• Familiarity with instrumentation and control components (pressure transducers, thermocouples, RTDs, strain gauges, accelerometers, flow meters, load cells, relays, solenoid, pneumatic valves)
• Experience using SOLIDWORKS, Siemens NX, or similar CAD software
• Experience using ANSYS, FEMAP or similar finite element analysis software
• Experience reviewing data from anomalies and identifying root cause
• Ability to prioritize and execute tasks in a high-pressure, fast paced environment
• Strong communication and presentation skills
• Strong work ethic and drive to for constant improvement balanced with the ability to work effectively in a team environment

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to pass Air Force background checks for Cape Canaveral and Vandenberg
• Must be willing to travel to other launch sites in support of operational activities and launches; travel requirement is up to 50%
• Must be willing to work weekends and night shifts as needed
• Lifting, standing, climbing, bending, grasping, sitting, pulling, pushing, stooping, stretching, and carrying are generally required to perform the functions of this position

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay range:

Operations Engineer/Level I: $95,000.00 - $115,000.00/per year
Operations Engineer/Level II: $110,000.00 - $130,000.00/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. Exempt employees are eligible for 5 days of sick leave per year.

ITAR REQUIREMENTS:

• To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or 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 Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should notify the Human Resources Department at (310) 363-6000.