Sr. Critical Lift & Transport Engineer (Starship)

The role

You will develop solutions for launch pad operations, ground support equipment, transportation, and production. You will ensure all aspects of critical transport and lift operations for Starship and Super Heavy booster vehicles are properly designed, reviewed, and carried out.

What you will do

• Lead planning, analysis, and execution of complex critical lifts and heavy-haul transports for hardware over 100 tons
• Develop advanced lift plans, rigging designs, and multi-modal transport strategies
• Coordinate with cross-functional teams to assess hardware mass properties, rigging, and load paths
• Specify, procure, qualify, and oversee deployment of specialized equipment fleets
• Supervise on-site execution teams and conduct pre-lift dry runs
• Conduct risk assessments, hazard analyses, and fatigue/stress analyses
• Negotiate and manage contracts with external partners for heavy-lift and transport services
• Author and maintain engineering standards, lift/transport work orders, and digital libraries
• Maintain documentation including engineering calculations, drawings, and reports
• Represent SpaceX by presenting certification packages and engineering data to US government agencies

Required 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
• Must be willing to work weekends and night shifts as needed
• Must be willing to travel to other launch sites up to 25%
• Lifting, standing, climbing, bending, grasping, sitting, pulling, pushing, stooping, stretching, and carrying are generally required

Nice to have

• 7+ years of experience in critical heavy lifts, rigging engineering, and heavy transport in aerospace, energy, defense, or construction sectors
• Experience prioritizing and executing tasks in high-pressure, fast paced industrial environments while operating with or around hazardous systems
• Experience using SOLIDWORKS, Siemens NX, or similar CAD software
• Advanced proficiency in engineering analysis software (e.g., ANSYS, FEMAP or similar finite element analysis software)
• Strong understanding of mechanics, including statics, dynamics, materials science, and failure modes
• Expertise in specialized equipment like crawler cranes, all-terrain cranes, SPMTs, jacks, and gantries
• Professional certifications such as crane operator + rigger (NCCCO + NCCER) or Professional Engineer (PE) license
• Knowledge of SpaceX-specific or similar hardware (e.g., Falcon/Starship transport logistics)
• Master's degree in a relevant engineering discipline or related advanced training

Before you apply

• Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. lawful, permanent resident, Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S.

About the company

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. The company is actively developing technologies to enable human life on Mars.