Critical Lift & Transport Engineer (Starship)
Cape Canaveral, FL · 1+ years experience · Onsite · Posted Oct 9, 2026
At a glance
- Experience
- 1+ years experience
- Workplace
- Onsite
- Location
- Cape Canaveral, FL
About the role
- SpaceX is seeking a Critical Lift & Transport Engineer to join the launch site engineering team in Cape Canaveral, FL.
- This role involves developing solutions to launch pad operations, ground support equipment, transportation, and production.
- You will be responsible for ensuring all aspects of critical transport and lift operations for Starship and Super Heavy booster vehicles are properly designed, reviewed, and carried out.
Responsibilities
- Plan, analyze, and execute critical lifts and heavy-haul transports for large-scale hardware, ensuring compliance with safety standards and regulations.
- Develop critical lift plans, rigging designs, and transport configurations using tools like AutoCAD, finite element analysis, and center-of-gravity calculations.
- Coordinate with cross-functional teams 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, 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.
- Represent SpaceX by presenting certification packages and engineering data to US government agencies, including NASA and US Space Force.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline.
- 2+ years of hands-on experience working with mechanical and structural hardware.
Preferred qualifications
- 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.
- Experience using SOLIDWORKS, Siemens NX, or similar CAD software.
- Proficiency in engineering 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.
- Professional certifications such as crane operator + rigger or Professional Engineer license.
Workplace
- Must be willing to travel to other launch sites in support of operational activities and launches; travel requirement is up to 25%
Skills
- AutoCAD
- Finite Element Analysis
- SOLIDWORKS
- Siemens NX
- ANSYS
- FEMAP
