Certified FAA Parachute Rigger - Contractor
Location: Playa Vista, California (in-person, part-time contractor position)
Launch has changed the economics of space. Now it is time to return.
Outpost is building the missing infrastructure between orbit and Earth: reusable vehicles that can bring payloads back from space and deliver them to a precise location within hours. We call it exologistics, space-to-Earth logistics at planetary scale. This is not a paper concept or a distant roadmap. Our system is in active development, with core technologies advancing toward flight readiness.
The need is already here and the market has responded. We have validated demand through multiple defense and civil agreements, and a growing pipeline across government and commercial customers.
Outpost is building the logistics layer that makes space economically useful in a new way: the ability to move material from orbit to Earth quickly, reliably, and affordably. Over time, that supports point-to-point logistics, 10 tons of cargo, anywhere on Earth in an hour. It also creates the foundation for a reusable reentry network and enables new categories of space activity, including in-space manufacturing, supporting AI data centers, advanced manufacturing and novel materials.
We have a strong foundation, clear demand, and a technical path in front of us. Now the company is scaling rapidly. We are expanding the team, growing our operational footprint, and building the systems needed to execute at the next level. This is a chance to join a company with real traction, working on a problem that matters, at the point where execution and scale begin to define the outcome.
The Role
We’re looking for a skilled and detail-oriented Certified FAA Parachute Rigger to support the assembly, packing, inspection, and testing of Outpost’s atmospheric recovery systems. This is a hands-on, contracted technician role, focused on the consistent, repeatable, and safe deployment of our parachute and paraglider systems.
The ideal candidate has a strong background in parachute rigging - whether through the FAA, military service, skydiving operations, or aerospace recovery systems - and thrives in a fast-paced, quality-driven environment. You will collaborate closely with engineers to execute packing and rigging procedures, document best practices, validate materials, and contribute to a culture of quality and reliability.
Responsibilities
- Pack, rig, and maintain Outpost’s parachute and paraglider systems according to engineering documentation and design specifications.
- Develop and maintain detailed packing documentation and process records.
- Perform inspections, quality control checks, and traceability documentation for soft goods and rigging materials.
- Support field testing operations (currently conducted in Mojave, CA) including on-site rigging, deployment setup, and post-test inspections.
- Validate incoming soft goods and components to ensure conformance with engineering and supplier specifications.
- Manage and track soft goods inventory, maintaining organized and auditable records.
- Collaborate with the engineering team to provide feedback from rigging and test operations that inform system reliability and process improvements.
- Promote and uphold a culture of safety, quality, and continuous improvement within the team.
Qualifications
- FAA Senior or Master Parachute Rigger certification or equivalent hands-on rigging experience (military, aerospace, or skydiving operations).
- Demonstrated experience with parachute or canopy systems (packing, inspection, and maintenance).
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to precision and repeatability.
- Experience working from engineering drawings, technical procedures, and safety documentation.
- Ability to work hands-on in both shop and field environments, including travel to testing locations
- Comfortable working in an early-stage startup environment where flexibility and collaboration are key.
Compensation
- Hourly rate will vary with experience
- Subsidized daily catered lunch, snacks and coffee
You must be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.15 ,or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State
Skills Required
- FAA Senior or Master Parachute Rigger certification or equivalent hands-on rigging experience
- Demonstrated experience with parachute or canopy systems
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to precision
- Experience working from engineering drawings and safety documentation
- Ability to work hands-on in both shop and field environments
Outpost Space Compensation & Benefits Highlights
-
Affordable Benefits — Feedback suggests employer-paid premiums for base-tier health, dental, and vision—alongside disability and life insurance—lower out-of-pocket costs for employees. Consistent benefit language in postings indicates a strong baseline of medical and protection coverage.
-
Retirement Support — Feedback suggests a 401(k) plan with company match is offered across roles. This supports long-term savings in addition to core health coverage and other benefits.
-
Equity Value & Accessibility — Feedback suggests stock options are standard for new hires, extending ownership broadly across the team. Equity paired with stated annual performance bonuses can enhance total rewards potential.
Outpost Space Insights
What We Do
We’re developing reusable vehicles that bring payloads home from orbit safely and precisely, enabling faster in-space manufacturing, global delivery, and entirely new capabilities in the space economy.
Why Work With Us
We’re a mission-driven team that moves with urgency and cares deeply about the work and the people doing it. We are scaling. That means ownership from day one. You will not be a small cog in a massive program. You will design hardware, test it, iterate it, and watch it move toward flight.
Gallery
Outpost Space Offices
OnSite Workspace
Our belief is that the best ideas emerge through close collaboration. By working together in person, our teams can move quickly, share ideas openly, and build strong relationships while also enjoying the time we spend together.
