Certified FAA Parachute Rigger - Contractor

Certified FAA Parachute Rigger - Contractor

Location: Playa Vista, California (in-person, part-time contractor position) 

Outpost is pioneering Earth return logistics for space. We're building vehicles that can return payloads from orbit safely and precisely—enabling faster space-based manufacturing, global delivery, and entirely new capabilities in the space economy. Our spacecraft is already backed by the U.S. government with multiple missions ahead. We’re a mission-focused team, building with urgency, grit, and care for the work we do and the people we do it with. 

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