Wing Skin Crane Operator - Ground Control

Wing Skin Crane Operator – Ground Control

The Boeing Company – Boeing Commercial Airplanes invites applications for a Wing Skin Crane Operator – Ground Control to join our Fabrication team in Auburn and Puyallup, Washington. The role focuses on material handling of aircraft wing skins and raw materials using ground‑controlled overhead cranes.

• Operate ground‑controlled overhead cranes to load, unload, move, and position aircraft wing skins and raw materials safely and efficiently.
• Rig, adjust, and visually inspect crane rigging and equipment—including chains, cables, slings, and holding attachments—to ensure conformance with applicable documents and safety regulations.
• Plan and coordinate material movement with other crane operators and shop personnel to optimize workflow and minimize production interruptions.
• Obtain work assignments from various sources and access online systems to input work order requirements and initiate material pick lists.
• Inspect overhead material handling equipment (OMHE) and rigging before and after use, reporting any malfunctions or unsafe conditions.
• Load and unload machines, racks, trucks, trailers, and rail cars, placing materials into appropriate storage locations such as racks, baskets, or floor positions.
• Measure and cut raw materials like spars and extrusions to accurate lengths using floor‑mounted band saws, and issue materials to designated shop areas.
• Attach rigging devices (e.g., clevis, skin clamps, nylon straps) to hooks and work pieces, ensuring proper load balance and secure lifting.
• Calculate safe load requirements and balance loads during lifts, including single‑point lifts and load rotations using spreader bars, vacu‑lifts, and booms.
• Perform crane operations using radio or pendant controls, sounding warning horns and ensuring clear paths of travel.
• Use hand and audible signals to guide crane movements and coordinate with floor crews during lifts and positioning.
• Execute complex material handling tasks such as swinging, rotating, turning over, and positioning parts on fixtures or ergonomic supports.
• Deliver materials and parts to various shop areas, unhooking and placing items as required, including loading/unloading specialized kitting trailers.
• Perform banding of raw materials and parts to pallets using steel banding machines and move them with electric stackers in storage areas.
• Assist new employees in becoming familiar with crane equipment and procedures and communicate effectively with supervisors and coworkers when assistance or problem resolution is needed.

Required lifting weights range from 10‑15lb to 15‑35lb with repeated reach, handling, turning, twisting, lifting, lowering, climbing, balancing, bending, kneeling, crouching, and squatting. Work environments may involve contact with metals, solvents, coolants, moving parts, sharp cutters, and potential slipping hazards. Operating near noise, vibrations, and chemical exposure requires use of personal safety gear to protect face/eyes, hands/arms, and feet.

• At least 1year of hands‑on experience with overhead cranes.
• Basic computer competence and experience with online work order systems.
• Physically capable of lifting/carrying up to 35lb and pushing/pulling with up to 35lb of force. Must be able to walk, stand, climb stairs or ladders, bend, twist and squat/kneel frequently for up to six hours per day.
• Must meet U.S. Export Control compliance requirements (“U.S. Person”).

• At least 2years of experience reading, understanding, and interpreting engineering drawings and technical aircraft specifications.
• Experience working in high‑noise, high‑vibration hazardous environments.

• Export Control compliance: “U.S. Person” as defined by 22C.F.R. §120.62.
• Union representation: hourly position governed by IAM‑751 collective bargaining agreement.
• Shift work: various shifts.
• Safety‑sensitive position subject to random drug testing (alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, opioids, amphetamines, and PCP).
• Current Boeing employees in Puget Sound must submit an Employee Request Transfer (ERT) to be considered.