Structural Welder, Stage 0 Ground Fabrication (Starship)

SpaceX • Brownsville, TX

3h • Onsite

About The Position

SpaceX is hiring a Structural Welder for Stage 0 ground fabrication at Starbase, Texas. The role supports construction and repair of complex structural launch hardware, test stands, and ground support equipment, contributing directly to vehicle testing and Starship launches. The welder works alongside structural fitters and welders in a fast-paced environment, under the supervision of a lead welder when planning operations from engineering drawings and specifications.

The position involves manual and semi-automatic welding, fabrication and fitting of metal components, and visual inspection of welds to AWS D1.1 standards. Work takes place outdoors and may involve extreme weather, fumes, odors, noise, heights up to 500 feet, confined spaces, and heavy equipment. Typical hours are Monday through Friday, 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; overtime and weekend availability are required, with schedules varying according to operational needs.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalency certificate.
• At least 2 years of hands-on experience in one or more of SMAW, GMAW, GTAW, FCAW, or gas-shielded FCAW (FCAW-G); experience from a college or vocational welding program qualifies.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Must be available for overtime and weekends; schedule flexibility is required.
• Must be capable of safely working at heights up to 500 feet, in confined spaces, operating heavy equipment and machinery, and meeting the stated physical requirements.
• Must meet U.S. export-control eligibility requirements: be a U.S. citizen or national, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee, or be eligible to obtain required U.S. Department of State authorizations.
• Ability to work in temperatures over 80 degrees for six or more hours per day.
• Physical demands include standing, sitting, overhead reaching, walking, and kneeling or crouching for up to 10 hours per day; pushing or pulling up to 75 pounds unassisted for 1–2 hours per day; lifting or carrying up to 50 pounds unassisted for 1–2 hours per day; climbing ladders or stairs for up to 6 hours per day; and upper-body twisting for up to 6 hours per day.

Nice To Haves

• At least 5 years of experience using FCAW-G welding.
• Ability to read welding symbols according to AWS 2.4.
• Experience as a combo welder, including fitting and welding carbon structure using FCAW, SMAW, GTAW, or GMAW processes.
• At least 3 years of blueprint-reading experience directly related to structural weldments.
• Knowledge of standard welding-trade tools, materials, techniques, and practices.
• Knowledge of occupational hazards and effective safety precautions for the trade.
• Experience using precision measuring instruments such as a theodolite, total station, or laser levels.
• Experience with overhead cranes, forklifts, and rigging.
• Ability to rapidly change roles and responsibilities in a fast-paced, challenging work environment.

Responsibilities

• Complete welding assignments for constructing and repairing site structural weldments safely, professionally, and on time.
• Cut, trim, fit, and fabricate metal components to the dimensions needed to build and assemble test and launch hardware.
• Under a lead welder’s supervision, analyze engineering drawings and specifications to plan welding operations when procedural information is unavailable.
• Use manual and semi-automatic welding processes to fit and weld complex structural weldments.
• Visually inspect own welds according to American Welding Society (AWS) D1.1.
• Obtain and maintain required internal licenses, operator permits, and certifications.
• Continuously seek to improve operations, reduce turnaround times, and streamline work processes.
• Adapt to a fast-paced environment with priorities that change according to program needs.
• Perform other related duties as assigned to support an efficient and effective work environment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: High school or GED