How to hire a launch operator

How to hire a launch operator, step by step

Here's a step-by-step launch operator hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a launch operator job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new launch operator
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

Post a launch operator job for free, promote it for a fee

Post free

1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a launch operator, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A launch operator's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, launch operators from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list shows salaries for various types of launch operators.

   Type of Launch Operator	Description	Hourly rate
   Launch Operator	Water transportation workers operate and maintain vessels that take cargo and people over water. The vessels travel to and from foreign ports across the ocean and to domestic ports along the coasts, across the Great Lakes, and along the country’s many inland waterways.	$14-79
   Operator	Operators are skilled workers who are in charge of working on an industrial machine or a specific aspect of the manufacturing business. They are trained to operate machines, learning how to use them... Show more	$12-25
   Head Operator	A head operator performs varied duties and responsibilities for an organization. These include striving to achieve the highest safety level with company safety policies and procedures, implementing new CRM platforms for various agents and channels, examining and monitoring the use of the new CRM, and overseeing business case analysis... Show more	$37-116

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Boats
   • Coast Guard
   • GPS
   • Missile
   • Technical Knowledge
   • Routine Maintenance
   • CNC

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage day-to-day transportation and logistics services for multinational account base.
   • Monitor combat missions through satellite and computer global positioning systems in order to prepare accurate reports for unit commanders.
   • Monitor combat missions through satellite and computer global positioning systems in order to prepare accurate reports for unit commanders.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your launch operator job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A launch operator can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, launch operators' average salary in alaska is 54% less than in delaware.
   • Seniority. Entry-level launch operators 81% less than senior-level launch operators.
   • Certifications. A launch operator with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a launch operator's salary.

   Average launch operator salary

   $72,155yearly

   $34.69 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level launch operator salary

   $31,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 17, 2025

4. Writing a launch operator job description

   A launch operator job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a launch operator job description:

   Launch operator job description example

   Administration
   
   At Republic Airways, our vision is to be America's regional airline of choice, and our 6,000 associates work together each day to achieve that by providing a safe, clean and reliable flying experience. Whether the role is on the aircraft or in the office, every person at Republic contributes to our success and our family-oriented work environment.
   
   Since our founding in 1974, we've grown to become the world's largest operator of the Embraer 170/175 jet, flying more than 1000 flights daily for our partners, American Airline, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines. Beyond our operations, we're focused on sharing our time, talents and treasures with our community-both locally and globally.
   
   Join Republic Airways where you will find opportunities, reach new heights and be part of something bigger than yourself. Republic Airways, opportunity elevated.
   
   \#WhyRepublic
   
   **Program Overview and Benefits** : Republic Airways is proud to offer a development program that prepares freshmen and sophomores for full-time junior/senior internships. This program will provide students with the chance to explore career opportunities within their related track over the course of 5 weeks. While we provide resources to help associates sharpen skills and make meaningful contributions in their department, we also provide the following throughout the duration of the program:
   
   + Mentorship program
   
   + Ability to shadow various department leaders
   
   + Professional development workshops and seminars
   
   + Additional opportunities to be exposed to company leadership
   
   **TRACK OPTIONS**
   
   + Human Resources
   
   + Finance
   
   + Information Technology
   
   + Supply Chain
   
   + Aviation Management
   
   **EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE**
   
   + Freshmen or sophomore currently pursuing a bachelor's degree (B.A. / B.S.) in path related to track choice
   
   + Letter of Recommendation from professional reference
   
   + Experience with Microsoft Office Suite
   
   + Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a business group
   
   + Strong communication and interpersonal skills with a willingness to learn
   
   + Flexible and willing to help other team members as projects arise
   
   + Participants are expected to demonstrate leadership qualities and potential
   
   **OTHER QUALIFICATIONS**
   
   + Ability to work 32 hours per week
   
   + Ability to work in-person at our Indianapolis Headquarters location
   
   + Eligible to work in the United States without sponsorship now or in the future
   
   **PHYSICAL DEMANDS**
   
   _The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an associate to successfully perform the essential functions of this job._
   
   + Able to move about the work environment.
   
   + Frequently required to stand, walk, sit, talk and hear.
   
   **WORK ENVIRONMENT**
   
   _The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an associate encounters while performing the essential functions of this job._
   
   + Typically, not exposed to extreme environmental conditions.
   
   **Equal Opportunity Employment and Disability Accommodations**
   
   Republic Airways is committed to achieving a diverse workforce by providing equal employment opportunities to all Associates and applicants, and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type with regard to any characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. We are committed to providing applicants and Associates reasonable accommodation to enable the individual to perform the essential duties of the job. If you require accommodation, please contact Human Resources.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find launch operators for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your launch operator job on Zippia to find and recruit launch operator candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with launch operator candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new launch operator

   Once you've found the launch operator candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new launch operator first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

   Sign up to download full list

   Sign up

How much does it cost to hire a launch operator?