Motive Equipment Operator

Job Overview

Motive Equipment Operator at Boeing Commercial Airlines in Moses Lake, Washington. Responsible for the safe and efficient operation of forklifts, industrial trucks, and mobile cranes. Valid state driver’s license required. Works in the manufacturing and logistics environment, loading and unloading aircraft components, securing oversized cargo, and ensuring compliance with safety standards.

• Receive assignments via radio from transportation dispatcher.
• Manually pick, sort, load, and unload small packages (up to 10 ft long, 35 lb) onto trucks, trailers, or dollies.
• Secure loads with tarps, covers, slings, cables, and ropes for safe transportation.
• Operate small cargo trucks to deliver packages across the site and use cargo loaders.
• Use mobile boom-type cranes to move, position, and align parts and equipment, guiding movements with signals.
• Operate straddle carriers to off-load oversized cargo containers from rail cars and use Track mobile to move rail cars.
• Operate tractors for towing and positioning airplanes, running shuttle routes, and moving aircraft components.
• Calculate safe load requirements and workload limits for equipment, including cranes and forklifts.
• Operate forklifts to load/unload materials, manage factory shuttles, and transport equipment such as scaffolds and generators.
• Perform routine mechanical inspections of vehicles and equipment, checking fuel, oil, water levels, and refueling.
• Lead and assist other operators in moving airplanes and scaffolds, providing instruction.
• Maintain records and logs (weekly trip logs, metrics collection forms, inspection forms).
• Inspect vehicles for physical damage and report issues.
• Guide movements of mobile boom-type cranes and airplane tow tractors.
• Monitor stored airplanes on outside ramps for security and tie-down integrity.

Perform tasks that include lifting 10–35 lb, reaching, handling, turning, twisting, lifting, lowering, climbing, balancing, bending, kneeling, crouching, squatting. Work may involve contact with metals, solvents, coolants, sharp cutters, and slipping hazards. Operate in proximity to moving parts and tools. Use personal safety gear for face/eyes, hands/arms, and feet.

• 5+ years experience operating forklifts (≤15,000-lb lift capacity) or related equipment.
• Valid driver’s license.
• 1+ year moving and handling large loads and equipment.
• Ability to carry up to 15 lb (occasionally up to 35 lb).

• Flexibility to support another location if asked.
• 3+ years experience moving aircraft/large loads/rail cars.
• 1+ year mobile crane experience.

• Must be a “US Person” per 22C.F.R. §120.62: U.S. Citizen, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee.
• Export Control compliance required.
• Successful completion of Company’s Conflict of Interest assessment.

Hourly pay: $31.32–$54.56 depending on collective bargaining agreement. Eligible for health insurance, flexible spending and health savings accounts, retirement plans, life and disability insurance, and paid/unpaid time off. No relocation assistance.

Position governed by International Association of Machinists (IAM‑751) Collective Bargaining agreement.

Boeing is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, or other protected characteristics. EEO is the law. Boeing participates in E‑Verify. Right to Work statements in English and Spanish.