Principal Crane Operator

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.

PRINCIPAL CRANE OPERATOR (STARSHIP)

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop, implement & ensure successful execution of SpaceX Crane Safety program, ensuring best practices are documented and implemented across all sites, including standardized critical lifts plans and crane operator training (training content). You will be responsible for driving a program towards zero crane related incidents and setting a foundation for operational excellence across multiple sites
• Drive projects within your area through Engineering and operational changes that contribute to ongoing improvement within the SpaceX’s crane operations for operational safety and efficiency.  Foster an environment where change is embraced and ideas are respected, supported, vetted and ultimately implemented (if deemed appropriate).  This includes maintaining awareness of technological step-changes across the industry and assessing their application for SpaceX’s operations
• Manage and mentor your direct reports ensuring they have tools and resources required to initiate and drive change contributing towards a culture of continuous improvement.
• Advise SpaceX asset procurement strategy for heavy equipment to ensure required capability and capacity are available based on the required work scope per site.
• Support overall leadership team on hiring and developing talent for heavy equipment operators, including the execution of operator training on requests
• Write and implement lift plans and critical lifts plans as well as act as lift manager for heavy crane lifts, when required. Perform signatory duties for Lift Director or Competent Person on a Critical Lift Form
• Monitor and improve operations, ensuring a safe work environment – with the goal of zero OSHA recordables annually. Conduct regular safety walks, address safety issues, and promote safety policies with the operational teams across all sites.
• Oversee Safety Briefings prior to performing critical/high consequence operations and support safety first culture. Recommend and drive changes through collaboration with site leadership
• Ensuring monthly and annual crane inspections are being performed by the responsible parties for their specific site – work in an audit capacity to ensure compliance across all sites
• Recommending and supporting routine and non-routine audits of crane operations by EHS

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• 15+ years of experience as a certified advanced rigger
• Professional work experience leading safety briefings for critical/high-consequence operations
• Professional work experience with continuous process improvement and implementation of new methods for creating improved efficiencies in business operations
• Professional experience with preventative maintenance of equipment, as well as equipment installations

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Industry leader in crane operations, rigging equipment and their applications
• Ability to calculate and determine appropriate lifting equipment and write lift plans
• Strong working knowledge of lifting signals and communications
• Strong working knowledge of operating and inspecting heavy equipment
• Ability to be organized and self-driven capable of working independently with little direction
• Demonstrate innovative and futuristic thinking to drive continuous improvement
• Demonstrate the ability to independently and effectively manage projects in an extremely fast-paced and changing environment; keep projects on time, deal with a wide variety of challenges, deadlines and work with a diverse array of contacts
• Ability to multi-task and detail-oriented while also working within time constraints and deadlines

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Willing to work long hours, weekends and holidays as necessary
• Position requires travel
• Comfortable working in a high-stress environment, balancing several projects at any given time, as well as able to absorb and re-plan for abrupt changes in strategic direction
• Ability to perform job duties that require standing, kneeling, crouching, twisting upper body, working in cramped positions in small opening and climbing hand over hand, lifting 50 lbs. unassisted, and working on ladders/lifts at elevated heights
• Ability to pass Air Force background checks for Cape Canaveral and Vandenberg

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:   Pay range:           Level