Heavy Lift Manager
Key Skills for This Role
Full Job Posting
Built on Experience. Built for Skill. Built for You.
- Keel was formed by bringing together three industry leaders combining generations of hands-on expertise in steel fabrication, shipbuilding, aerospace, and defense manufacturing.
- That means when you join Keel, you’re joining a team backed by decades of proven craftsmanship and real-world results.
- We build ships, defense systems, aerospace components, and heavy steel structures that serve critical missions — and we do it with pride.
Your Mission
The Heavy Lift Manager is responsible for supervising and coordinating all heavy lift, rigging, crane, and drydocking operations across government ship repair, DOD, and commercial fabrication projects. This role ensures the safe, efficient, and timely execution of heavy lifts, rotations, transfers, dockings, undockings, and barge load-outs for waterfront transport. The Heavy Lift Manager works closely with riggers, signalmen, crane operators, drydock personnel, and safety teams to maintain compliance with NAVSEA, OSHA, and ASME standards.
Explore the Depth of the Role
Crew Leadership & Oversight
Supervise crews including riggers, crane operators, heavy equipment operators, and drydock personnel.
Assign personnel to tasks, approve rigging and docking methods, and ensure all team members are properly trained and certified.
Promote safety culture by reinforcing teamwork, accountability, and adherence to protocols.
Direct operations including crane activities, rigging methods, lift planning, drydock sequencing, and barge load-outs.
Safety & Compliance
Enforce strict safety protocols and oversee job hazard analyses (JHAs).
Ensure compliance with OSHA, NAVSEA, ASME B30 standards, load charts, engineered lift plans, and critical lift packages.
Investigate incidents or near misses, implementing corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
Collaborate with safety teams, engineers, and project managers to align safety with project schedules.
Technical & Planning Responsibilities
Review drawings, vessel plans, and lift/docking strategies for modular construction, large assemblies, and marine movements.
Approve engineered lift plans and coordinate critical lift packages.
Plan heavy lifts including lifting, flipping, docking, undocking, and setting large fabricated structures and vessels.
Coordinate vessel scheduling, dock occupancy, hull stability, and barge loading to minimize project delays.
Equipment & Documentation
Maintain certifications, inspections, and documentation for cranes, rigging equipment, and drydock systems.
Oversee preventative maintenance activities to ensure reliability and readiness.
Ensure inspections are completed and documented for all lifting and docking equipment.
Project & Operational Management
Manage heavy lift and drydock activities across government and commercial projects.
Direct barge load-outs for fabricated products requiring waterfront transport.
Support project schedules by coordinating with engineering and project management teams.
All other duties as assigned.
Mission Readiness
High School diploma required.
Minimum 7 years’ experience in heavy rigging, crane operations, drydocking, and complex fabrication moves.
Experience in Government Ship Repair, DOD contracting, or commercial marine/industrial environments preferred.
Strong knowledge of OSHA, NAVSEA, ASME B30 standards, and rigging/crane/drydock safety regulations.
Supervisory experience managing crews in high-risk industrial environments.
Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, rigging plans, drydock plans, and lift procedures.
Proficient in lift planning and drydock sequencing software, plus Microsoft Office Suite.
NCCCO Certification or equivalent preferred.
TWIC card and ability to obtain security clearances as required.
Become a part of our Builders and you too can...
Uphold Safety and Quality Standards
Embody Team Spirit
Relentless Customer Focus
Convey Integrity, Trust, and Professionalism
Execute with Excellence and Velocity
Travel Requirements
- Occasional travel between facilities, as business needs require.
Physical Requirements
- May be required to stand, walk, sit, reach/pull/push with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop or kneel regularly.
- May lift or carry 50lbs. Weights exceeding 50lbs will require mechanical means to maneuver.
What Keel will build for you
Comprehensive Benefit Package
Competitive Pay
401K Match
HSA/FSA
Paid Holidays
Paid Time Off
Internal Referral Bonus Opportunities
Shift Differentials
Overtime Potential
Paid on the Job Training
Certification Sponsorship Opportunities
Committed to Individual Career Growth
We Do Fun Things, Plus More!
Need Assistance?
If you require a reasonable accommodation at any stage of the employment process, please email
[email protected] with details about your request and your contact information. Accommodation requests are reviewed individually on a case-by-case basis. Please note that this email address is monitored only for inquiries related to reasonable accommodation requests.
Equal Opportunity Employer / Individuals with Disabilities / Protected Veterans
About Keel
Private defense manufacturer providing fabrication, machining, integration, and complex structures to U.S. military and industrial customers.
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