Critical Lift & Transport Technician
US$33 – US$53 / hr base salary
Posted 15 Oct 2026
Advertised as “Critical Lift & Transport Technician (Launch) ”
BranchFactor Summary
The original posting with the fluff stripped out
- Expected experience
- 1+ yrs
- Management level
- Individual contributor
| Base salary | US$33 – US$53 / hr |
|---|
Field of studyAerospace Technology (or related)
Study levelAssociate degree
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.
CRITICAL LIFT & TRANSPORT TECHNICIAN (LAUNCH)
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Responsible for Falcon 9 stages, Payload, Dragon capsule and associated ground support equipment (GSE) movement 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 regulator and gauges, etc.
- Set up, inspect, operate and perform maintenance on hydraulic self-propelled modular transporters, hydraulic booms and crawler cranes.
- Perform tear down and assembly of different configurations associated with Cranes and SPMTs
- Core traits that empower this success are strong written and oral communication skills, a meticulous attention to detail, an emphasis on safety, cleanliness, adherence to corporate policies and standards, and the ability to work with a team
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
- High school diploma or equivalency certificate