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Parachute Rigger Jobs in Florida (NOW HIRING)

Performance Designs

Quality Inspector I

Deland, FL · On-site

$17/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... rigging (including measurements). Verify tape type and placement, fabric, and documentation ... Once the parachute is deemed airworthy, it is packaged for shipping. Raw Product Mechanical ...

Performance Designs, Inc.

Quality Inspector I

Deland, FL · On-site

$17/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... rigging (including measurements). Verify tape type and placement, fabric, and documentation ... Once the parachute is deemed airworthy, it is packaged for shipping. Raw Product Mechanical ...

All JobsParachute Rigger JobsParachute Rigger Jobs in Florida

Parachute Rigger information

See Florida salary details

$8.2K

$35.7K

$54.2K

How much do parachute rigger jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for parachute rigger in Florida is $35,720.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $33,600.00 and $41,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How much money do parachute riggers make?

Parachute riggers typically earn a median annual salary of around $40,000 to $60,000, depending on experience, certification level, and work environment. Experienced riggers with specialized skills or working for military or commercial operations can earn higher wages, sometimes exceeding $70,000 annually.

What is the difference between Parachute Rigger vs Aircraft Maintenance Technician?

AspectParachute RiggerAircraft Maintenance Technician
CertificationsFAA Parachute Rigger CertificateFAA Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) Certificate
Work EnvironmentAirports, parachute manufacturing, military basesAirlines, maintenance hangars, repair stations
Industry UsageMilitary, recreational, commercial parachutingAviation, commercial and private aircraft maintenance

Parachute Riggers focus on packing, inspecting, and repairing parachutes, often working in parachuting or military environments. Aircraft Maintenance Technicians perform repairs and inspections on aircraft, ensuring safety and compliance. While both roles require FAA certifications and work in aviation-related settings, their specific duties and certifications differ significantly.

What does a parachute rigger do?

Parachute riggers pack, unpack, inspect, and repair parachutes and other parachute equipment, such as lines, fabric, and backpacks. You usually find parachute riggers in the armed forces, but they also work in civilian aviation, particularly for small prop planes or skydiving companies. As a parachute rigger, you must understand how to manage and repair the parachute fabrics and hardware, as well as the regulations related to packing up a parachute. Some job duties may vary between military and civilian positions, but all parachute riggers must perform extensive quality assurance and testing to ensure that everyone who uses the parachutes they pack is safe when they make their jumps.

What is a parachute rigger?

Parachute Riggers are specialized professionals trained to inspect, repair, pack, and maintain parachutes and related equipment to ensure they function safely and reliably. They work with various types of parachutes used in military, sport, and emergency applications. Their responsibilities also include conducting safety checks, replacing worn components, and sometimes providing training on parachute use. Parachute Riggers must be detail-oriented and often require certification to perform their duties legally.

How hard is it to become a parachute rigger?

Becoming a parachute rigger requires completing a specialized training program, which typically lasts several months and includes hands-on experience. Candidates must also pass written and practical exams and obtain certification from the Federal Aviation Administration or relevant authority, making it a process that demands technical skill and attention to detail.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a parachute rigger, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Parachute Rigger, you need strong attention to detail, manual dexterity, and a solid understanding of aerodynamics, often supported by specialized training and FAA certification. Familiarity with sewing machines, inspection tools, and parachute packing procedures is essential. Excellent problem-solving skills, reliability, and the ability to work under pressure set outstanding riggers apart. These skills ensure the safety and functionality of parachute equipment, which is critical for the lives of users.

What are some common challenges parachute riggers face during their daily responsibilities?

Parachute Riggers often encounter challenges such as maintaining meticulous attention to detail under time constraints, as improper packing or inspection can lead to serious safety risks. They must also keep up with rigorous documentation and adhere to strict regulatory standards, which can be demanding. Additionally, Riggers frequently work in environments where teamwork is essential, coordinating closely with pilots, jumpers, and maintenance staff to ensure all equipment is safe and ready for use.
More about Parachute Rigger jobs

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Parachute Rigger jobs near you
Infographic showing various Parachute Rigger job openings in Florida as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $35,720 per year, or $17.2 per hour.

Parachute Systems - Subject Matter Expert

Astrion

Merritt Island, FL

$55 - $75/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 18 days ago

Job description

Overview

Parachute Systems – Subject Matter Expert

LOCATION: Hybrid

JOB STATUS: Full-time

CLEARANCE: BI investigation

CERTIFICATION: N/A

TRAVEL: Limited; as needed

Must be US citizen

Astrion is seeking a Subject Matter Expert (SME) in Parachute Systems to support NASA human spaceflight programs and advanced aerospace supporting Kennedy Space Center. This position provides Mission Assurance, Quality Engineering, and technical oversight support for critical parachute systems supporting crewed and cargo spaceflight missions, including Commercial Crew Program (CCP) vehicles and associated flight hardware. The role is remote, with occasional travel to supplier, customer, and manufacturing locations. Candidates located in Southern California, particularly within reasonable proximity to key aerospace facilities, are preferred. Candidates located near Kennedy Space Center (Florida) and Johnson Space Center (Texas) will also be considered.

The selected candidate will serve as a trusted technical authority, providing independent assessment and insight into parachute system design, manufacturing, testing, certification, flight readiness, and post-flight performance. This role requires close collaboration with NASA, commercial partners, engineering teams, and suppliers to ensure compliance with mission assurance requirements and the safe operation of flight-critical hardware.

Primary Responsibilities

  • Provide subject matter expertise in parachute systems supporting NASA human spaceflight and aerospace programs.
  • Support Mission Assurance and Quality Engineering activities for parachute hardware, including design, manufacturing, assembly, integration, testing, certification, and flight operations.
  • Review parachute packing, handling, storage, and shipping processes to verify compliance with approved procedures and standards
  • Participate in Preliminary Design Reviews (PDRs), Critical Design Reviews (CDRs), Flight Readiness Reviews (FRRs), Test Readiness Reviews (TRRs), and other technical milestone reviews.
  • Review and assess flight hardware certification packages, End Item Data Packages (EIDPs), manufacturing records, inspection reports, test data, X-ray data, material certifications, and damage assessments.
  • Identify, evaluate, and communicate technical, quality, and mission assurance risks affecting flight hardware and mission readiness.
  • Support anomaly investigations, failure analyses, and root cause determinations involving parachute system performance and flight hardware discrepancies.
  • Review nonconformance reports (NCRs), corrective actions, waivers, deviations, and risk assessments associated with parachute systems.
  • Conduct supplier surveillance, manufacturing oversight, audits, and process verification activities to ensure compliance with quality requirements and approved procedures.
  • Provide independent technical assessments and recommendations to NASA leadership regarding parachute system readiness, certification status, and risk posture.
  • Support configuration management, hardware traceability, and certification tracking efforts for flight-critical parachute components.
  • Witness and evaluate critical manufacturing, assembly, inspection, integration, testing, and flight hardware processing activities
  • Collaborate within Integrated Product Teams (IPTs) to resolve technical issues and improve mission assurance processes.
  • Prepare technical reports, assessments, findings, and presentations for engineering, safety, and program management stakeholders.

Required Qualifications

  • Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Quality Engineering, or a related technical discipline with 15+ years of relevant experience; OR Master's degree in a related technical discipline with 10+ years of relevant experience.
  • Demonstrated experience supporting parachute systems, aerospace recovery systems, flight hardware, or other critical aerospace systems.
  • Experience supporting Mission Assurance, Quality Engineering, Safety & Mission Assurance (SMA), or related aerospace quality disciplines.
  • Experience supporting design reviews, readiness reviews, certification activities, and anomaly investigations.
  • Strong understanding of aerospace quality requirements, risk management, configuration management, and configuration control processes.
  • Experience reviewing certification data packages, manufacturing records, inspection reports, test data, and flight hardware verification documentation.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience supporting NASA human spaceflight programs, Commercial Crew Program (CCP), Dragon, Starliner, Orion, or similar aerospace programs.
  • Experience with parachute design, qualification, testing, certification, or operational performance assessments.
  • FAA Master Rigger certification.
  • W.E.S.T. Explosive Safety Certification.
  • Experience with supplier quality assurance, surveillance, and auditing.
  • Familiarity with NASA Safety and Mission Assurance requirements, standards, and review processes.