TIG Welder (Starship Electronics)

SpaceX
Hawthorne, CA
On-site

Who this role is best for

Aimed at mid-level to senior welding professionals with aerospace or structural experience who can work in a collaborative, high-accuracy environment.

Best fit for

  • Candidates with aerospace or pressure vessel TIG welding experience and a focus on precision work
    — “1+ years TIG welding experience (aerospace, pressure vessel, or structural preferred)”
  • Individuals capable of dual-process welding (TIG + MIG) and adapting to electro-mechanical tasks
    — “Dual-process capability (TIG + MIG) is valued”
  • Professionals who value meticulous documentation and traceability in high-stakes manufacturing
    — “Complete as-built documentation and maintain traceability”

Things to consider

  • The role requires physical stamina for extended periods of standing, climbing, and lifting up to 25 lbs
    — “Standing for long periods, climbing ladders, bending, grasping, sitting, pulling, pushing, stooping, and stretching”
  • U.S. citizenship or permanent residency is required to meet ITAR export regulations
    — “applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident”
  • Candidates must be willing to work overtime, weekends, or irregular shifts as production demands
    — “Overtime, weekends, or shifts as production requires”

How to stand out

  • Highlight experience with large stainless steel structures and aerospace alloys in your resume
    — “Hands-on experience with large stainless structures, tanks, or propellant hardware”
  • Emphasize your ability to perform visual and dimensional inspections independently
    — “Perform visual and dimensional inspection of own welds”
  • Showcase any prior adherence to quality and documentation standards in flight-hardware environments
    — “Work is performed to strict quality, cleanliness, FOD, and documentation standards”
  • Include any relevant certifications such as AWS D17.1 or IPC-A-610 in your application materials
    — “AWS D17.1 (or equivalent) aerospace welding qualification”
  • Demonstrate your adaptability and ability to collaborate across engineering, production, and quality teams
    — “Collaborate with production, engineering, and quality”
Pace · SteadyCollaboration · MediumAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · Team

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

Skills & requirements

Required

AWS

Stack & domain

TIG WeldingMIG WeldingBlueprintsWeld SymbolsWork InstructionsElectro-mechanical AssemblyAttention To DetailCommunicationAdaptabilityAWS D17.1Nasa-std-8739.3Ipc-a-610AerospacePropellant SubsystemsStainless Steel

About the role

Original posting from SpaceX via Greenhouse

SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars.

TIG WELDER (STARSHIP ELECTRONICS)

The primary focus is precision TIG (GTAW) welding on flight hardware—structures, propellant subsystems, and aft sump components. Dual-process capability (TIG + MIG) is valued. You will occasionally support electro-mechanical build and integration of related Starship assemblies. Work is performed to strict quality, cleanliness, FOD, and documentation standards. 

Responsibilities 

Perform TIG welding on Starship stainless and aerospace alloys per drawings, WPS, and work instructions 

Execute fit-up, tack, and weld sequences with high dimensional accuracy and weld quality 

Set up TIG equipment (tungsten, gas, amperage, AC/DC/pulse as required) 

Perform visual and dimensional inspection of own welds 

Complete as-built documentation and maintain traceability 

Use MIG (GMAW) as a secondary process when required for fit-up, tacking, or production needs 

Occasional electro-mechanical support: chassis/PCB assembly, harness routing, basic functional checks, conformal coat/masking support 

Follow HT27 5S, safety, ESD, and FOD protocols 

Collaborate with production, engineering, and quality 

Basic Qualifications 

High school diploma or equivalency certificate 

1+ years TIG welding experience (aerospace, pressure vessel, or structural preferred) OR certificate of completion for welding from an accredited program  

Ability to read blueprints, weld symbols, and detailed work instructions 

Experience TIG welding stainless steel and similar alloys 

Preferred Skills and Experience 

AWS D17.1 (or equivalent) aerospace welding qualification 

MIG welding experience (most proficient TIG welders are also MIG capable; dual-process is a plus) 

Hands-on experience with large stainless structures, tanks, or propellant hardware 

Some electro-mechanical assembly experience (harnesses, connectors, chassis build, conformal coat) 

NASA-STD-8739.3, IPC-A-610, or equivalent (a plus) 

Experience in a fast-paced flight-hardware production environment 

Excellent attention to detail, communication, and adaptability 

Additional Requirements 

Standing for long periods, climbing ladders, bending, grasping, sitting, pulling, pushing, stooping, and stretching 

Must be able to lift up to 25 lbs unassisted 

Overtime, weekends, or shifts as production requires 

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay Range:

Level 1: $23.00 - $27.00

Level 2: $26.00 - $32.50

Level 3: $31.00 - $38.00

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Employees accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law.

ITAR REQUIREMENTS:

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.  

SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX’s Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to EEOCompliance@spacex.com. 

Source: SpaceX careers (Greenhouse)

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