Welder (Starship)

SpaceX•Starbase, TX, TX

3h•Onsite

About The Position

Welders at Starbase, Texas, build, maintain, and upgrade structural, fluid, and launch pad systems supporting Starship launch campaigns. The role works with a team of fabricators to rapidly build and weld large assemblies, structural stands, tubing, piping, and launch pad infrastructure at SpaceX’s South Texas facility. The welder completes construction, repair, and upgrade assignments for site structures and fluid systems; uses multiple welding processes on carbon steel, stainless steel, and aluminum; and cuts, fits, and fabricates metal components to required dimensions. The role also involves collaborating with a lead welder, reviewing engineering drawings and specifications under supervision, inspecting welds when appropriately trained, maintaining required licenses or certifications, and contributing to safe and efficient operations. Work is performed in extreme outdoor conditions and may involve fumes, odors, noise, heights up to 500 feet, confined spaces, and heavy equipment or machinery. Typical hours are Monday through Friday, 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; overtime and weekend availability are required as operational needs vary.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalency certificate.
At least 2 years of hands-on experience in at least one of SMAW, GMAW, GTAW, or FCAW, including gas-shielded FCAW (FCAW-G); college or vocational welding program experience qualifies.
Valid driver’s license.
Available for overtime and weekends as site operational needs require.
Capable of safely working at heights up to 500 feet, in confined spaces, operating heavy equipment and machinery, and meeting the physical requirements of the job.
Meet the stated physical requirements, including standing, sitting, pushing or pulling up to 75 pounds unassisted, overhead reaching, walking, lifting or carrying up to 50 pounds unassisted, climbing, kneeling or crouching, and twisting.
Able to work in temperatures over 80 degrees for six or more hours per day.
Meet ITAR eligibility requirements: be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee, or be eligible to obtain required U.S. Department of State authorizations.

Nice To Haves

At least 5 years of experience in one or more of FCAW, SMAW, GTAW, and GMAW.
Combo-welder experience fabricating and welding carbon structure, carbon pipe, stainless pipe, and aluminum.
At least 5 years of professional GTAW experience with SCH 10 stainless steel pipe or SCH 10 carbon steel pipe.
At least 5 years of professional FCAW experience with stainless steel and/or carbon steel.
Previous welding qualifications under one or more of AWS D1.1, AWS D1.2, AWS D1.6, AWS D17.1, or ASME Section IX.
High proficiency in tube and pipe cutting, grinding, and fabrication.
Knowledge of DC GTAW welding techniques and engineering requirements.
Knowledge of standard welding-trade tools, materials, motions, and practices.
Knowledge of occupational hazards and effective trade safety precautions.
Knowledge of arc-air procedures and equipment.
Experience with overhead cranes and forklifts.
Experience using precision measuring instruments.
Ability to rapidly change roles and responsibilities in a fast-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.

Responsibilities

Complete welding assignments and procedures for constructing, repairing, and upgrading site structural stands, launch pad structures, and fluid systems safely, professionally, and on time.
Weld carbon steel, stainless steel, and aluminum structural shapes, tubing, and piping using FCAW, GMAW, SMAW, and GTAW processes.
Cut, trim, scarf, fit, and fabricate metal components and weldments to dimensions for test-site and launch-pad structural forms.
Collaborate with the lead welder to determine the proper weld procedure, material type, and rod or filler size for each project.
Under a lead welder’s supervision, analyze engineering drawings and specifications to plan welding operations when procedural information is unavailable.
Use hand-welding, flame-cutting, and related equipment to assemble metal components, structural forms, and launch pad systems.
Visually inspect own welds to AWS D1.1 and ASME B31.3 requirements when properly trained.
Obtain and maintain internal licenses, operator permits, or certifications as required.
Continuously seek to improve operations, reduce turnaround times, streamline processes, and work cooperatively with others.
Adapt to changing priorities in a fast-paced environment based on program needs.
Perform other related duties as assigned.