Welder (Starship) - Night Shift

SpaceX
Starbase, TX
On-site

Who this role is best for

Welders with strong technical expertise in multiple welding processes and experience in aerospace or industrial settings will find this mid-level role at SpaceX's Starbase facility engaging, particularly given the night shift and physical demands.

Best fit for

  • Candidates with experience in high-pressure industrial welding and a background in structural fabrication will thrive here.
    — “Weld using flux-cored arc welding (FCAW), gas metal arc welding (GMAW), shielded metal arc welding (SMAW), and gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) processes on carbon steel, stainless steel, and aluminum structural shapes, tubing, and piping
  • Candidates who have operated heavy machinery and are physically capable of working in extreme conditions will be a strong fit.
    — “Candidate must be capable of safely working at heights (up to 500ft), in confined spaces, using an air purifying respirator, operating heavy equipment and machinery

Things to consider

  • Night shift commitment with variable hours is required, which may conflict with traditional work-life balance.
    — “Standard hours for this position are 5 PM – 5 AM
  • The role demands physical endurance due to the extensive range of motions and lifting requirements.
    — “Push/Pull: Up to 75lbs. (unassisted) between 1 to 2 hours per day
  • Travel to different sites is a requirement, potentially affecting long-term stability.
    — “Ability to travel to different sites, as needed, up to 20% travel

How to stand out

  • Emphasize your ability to adapt to fast-paced environments with shifting priorities.
    — “Work in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities based on program needs
  • Demonstrate familiarity with AWS and ASME standards through certifications or past work.
    — “Ability to visually inspect own welds per American Welding Society (AWS) D1.1 and American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) B31.3
  • Showcase your experience with overhead cranes and forklifts, as this is a key operational skill.
    — “Experience with overhead cranes and forklifts
Pace · Fast PacedCollaboration · MediumAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · IndividualLevel · Mid

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

What success looks like

  • completed welding projects on time
  • maintained high-quality standards
  • trained new welders
Typical background
experience in weldingbackground in manufacturing

Skills & requirements

Required

WeldingMetal FabricationQuality ControlSafety Compliance

Preferred

Project ManagementTeam Leadership

Stack & domain

WeldingShielded Metal Arc WeldingGas Metal Arc WeldingGas Tungsten Arc WeldingFlux-cored Arc WeldingFabricationLaunch Pad Infrastructure

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.

WELDER (STARSHIP) - NIGHT SHIFT

Welders at Starbase, TX will work to build, maintain, and upgrade structural, fluid, and launch pad systems to support Starship vehicle launch campaigns. This welder will work with an elite team of fabricators to rapidly build and weld large assemblies, structural stands, tubing, piping, and launch pad infrastructure at our South Texas facility. 

 RESPONSIBILITIES: 

 Complete welding assignments and procedures for the construction, repair, and upgrade of site structural stands, launch pad structures, and fluid systems on time, safely, and in a professional manner 

Weld using flux-cored arc welding (FCAW), gas metal arc welding (GMAW), shielded metal arc welding (SMAW), and gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) processes on carbon steel, stainless steel, and aluminum structural shapes, tubing, and piping 

Cut, trim, scarf, fit, and fabricate metal components and weldments to dimensions for building and assembling test site and launch pad structural forms using standard tools, materials, motions, and practices of the welding trade 

Collaborate with the lead welder to ensure the proper weld procedure, type of material, and rod/filler size are accurately assessed for each welding project 

Under the supervision of a lead welder, analyze and review engineering drawings and specifications to plan welding operations where procedural information is unavailable 

Utilize hand welding, flame-cutting, and related equipment to weld together metal components and parts to assemble structural forms and launch pad systems 

Ability to visually inspect own welds per American Welding Society (AWS) D1.1 and American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) B31.3 (normal and high-pressure service) with proper training 

Obtain and maintain internal licenses, operator permits, or certifications as required 

Make a continuous effort to improve operations, decrease turnaround times, streamline work processes, and work cooperatively and jointly 

Work in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities based on program needs 

Perform other related duties, as assigned, for the purpose of ensuring an efficient and effective work environment 

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS: 

High school diploma or equivalency certificate

2+ years of experience with at least one of the following: shielded metal arc welding (SMAW), gas metal arc welding (GMAW), gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW), flux-cored arc welding (FCAW) (experience from a college welding program qualifies) 

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE: 

5+ years of experience in one or more of the following processes: FCAW, SMAW, GTAW, and GMAW  

Experience as a combo welder with the ability to fabricate and weld carbon structure, carbon pipe, stainless pipe, and aluminum  

5+ years of professional experience in GTAW welding with one or more of the following materials: SCH 10 stainless steel pipe, SCH 10 carbon steel pipe  

5+ years of professional experience in FCAW welding with stainless steel and/or carbon steel  

Previous welding qualifications in accordance with one or more governing codes: AWS D1.1, AWS D1.2, AWS D1.6, AWS D17.1, or ASME Section IX  

Highly proficient in tube/pipe cutting, grinding, and fabrication  

Knowledge of DC GTAW welding techniques and engineering requirements  

Knowledge of standard tools, materials, motions, and practices of the welding trade  

Knowledge of occupational hazards and effective safety precautions of the trade  

Knowledge of arc air procedures and equipment  

Experience with overhead cranes and forklifts  

Use of precision measuring instruments  

Ability to rapidly change roles/responsibilities while working in a high-paced, challenging work environment 

Familiarity with computer systems 

Ability to read and interpret blueprints and isometric drawings 

Ability to perform fit ups of various structures and piping 

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: 

Standard hours for this position are 5 PM – 5 AM

Schedule varies depending on site operational needs; flexibility required

Ability to travel to different sites, as needed, up to 20% travel  

Stand: Up to 10 hours per day

Sit: Up to 10 hours per day

Push/Pull: Up to 75lbs. (unassisted) between 1 to 2 hours per day

Overhead reach: Up to 10 hours per day

Walk: Up to 10 hours per day

Lift/Carry: Up to ≤ 50 lbs. (unassisted) between 1 to 2 hours per day

Climb (ladder/stairs): Up to 10 hours per day

Kneel/Crouch: Up to 10 hours per day

Upper body twist: Up to 6 hours per day

Ability to work in temperatures over 80 degrees 6 hours or greater per day

Candidate must be capable of safely working at heights (up to 500ft), in confined spaces, using an air purifying respirator, operating heavy equipment and machinery, and performing the physical requirements of the job listed in the job description. Candidate may be required to complete a pre-employment questionnaire and/or physical to confirm these capabilities, which may include a medical history review

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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