Project Engineer, Critical Lift (Starship)

CRITICAL LIFT & TRANSPORT ENGINEER (STARSHIP)

SpaceX is currently seeking an individual to join the launch site engineering team in Starbase, TX. As a member of this team, you will have the opportunity to utilize your multi-disciplinary knowledge, experience, and creativity to develop solutions to launch pad operations, ground support equipment, transportation, and production 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 vehicles, as well as 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 the path forward.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Plan, analyze, and execute critical lifts and heavy-haul transports for large-scale hardware (e.g., rocket stages, ground support equipment, or structural components), ensuring compliance with safety standards, regulations (e.g., OSHA, ASME B30), and engineering best practices.
• Develop critical lift plans, rigging designs, and transport configurations using tools like AutoCAD, finite element analysis (FEA), and center-of-gravity calculations.
• Coordinate with cross-functional teams (e.g., vehicle structures, manufacturing, launch ops, logistics) to assess hardware mass properties, rigging/lashing connection locations, structural capability, stability, and load paths during lifts and transports.
• Select and specify equipment such as mobile/crawler cranes, self-propelled modular transporters (SPMTs), conventional hydraulic trailers, and rigging hardware; perform equipment inspections and capacity verifications.
• Conduct risk assessments, hazard analyses, and fatigue/stress analyses for lifts exceeding standard capacities.
• 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 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:

• Bachelors 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.
• 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 SOLIDWORKS, Siemens NX, or similar CAD software.
• Proficiency in engineering analysis software (e.g. ANSYS, FEMAP or similar finite element analysis software) for static/dynamic load modeling.
• Strong understanding of mechanics, including statics, dynamics, materials science, and failure modes.
• Familiarity with relevant lifting standards and regulations.
• 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 to 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.
• 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.