Welding Specialist, Special Projects

Hadrian Automation • Los Angeles, CA

78d

About The Position

Hadrian is building autonomous factories that help aerospace and defense companies manufacture rockets, satellites, jets, and ships up to 10x faster and up to 2x cheaper. By combining advanced software, robotics, and full-stack manufacturing, we are reinventing how America produces its most critical parts. We recently raised a $260 million dollar Series C to accelerate this mission. We are excited to launch a new Factory in Mesa, Arizona, a 270,000-square-foot facility that will create 350 new jobs immediately. We are opening a new headquarters to support thousands of future hires, launching Hadrian Maritime to serve naval production, and introducing a Factory-as-a-Service model that delivers complete systems instead of individual parts. Hadrian works with startups, Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers, and major defense contractors across space, shipbuilding, and aviation to scale production, reduce costs, and accelerate delivery on mission-critical programs. We are backed by leading investors, including Lux Capital, Founders Fund, and Andreessen Horowitz. Our fast-growing team is united by a shared mission to reindustrialize American manufacturing for the 21st century and beyond! As an integral member of Hadrian’s Special Projects division, you will work closely with the weld development team and engineering leadership on advanced R&D initiatives and customer-driven innovation. This division plays a dual role—leading moonshot engineering efforts and contributing expert guidance to new business opportunities. We are seeking a skilled Welding Specialist to help establish and scale a high-performance fabrication and automation operation. This is a hands-on, technical role designed for a welding expert who excels in precision craftsmanship, process optimization, and collaborative problem-solving. You will support manual and robotic welding operations as part of a broader mission to develop manufacturing solutions for aerospace, automotive, maritime, and defense applications. This is an opportunity to shape the future of advanced manufacturing in the U.S.—we’d be proud to have you build it with us.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent required; completion of trade school or technical certification preferred.
• Minimum 6 years of experience in welding, with demonstrated expertise in GMAW and GTAW processes.
• Proven ability to weld aluminum and steel with a strong understanding of weld techniques, joint design, and distortion control.
• Experience interpreting engineering drawings and working with part fixturing and lifting systems.
• Familiarity with welding in varied environments, including confined spaces, elevated work areas, and hot work conditions.

Nice To Haves

• Experience supporting or integrating robotic welding systems or automation in a production environment.
• Ability to interpret nondestructive testing (NDT) results such as radiographic (x-ray) data for quality analysis.
• Prior experience mentoring, training, or assessing the skill levels of team members in a fabrication setting.
• Demonstrated cross-functional collaboration skills and the ability to contribute to process improvement initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Perform precision welding of aluminum and steel using GMAW and GTAW processes to meet industry and project-specific standards.
• Interpret welding codes, blueprints, CAD models, and welding procedure specifications (WPS), including standards such as AWS D1.2.
• Diagnose and troubleshoot weld-related issues such as distortion, porosity, and fusion defects; develop and implement corrective actions.
• Support welding inspections (visual, bend, NDT prep) and collaborate with engineers and quality assurance teams on process validation and qualification.
• Maintain and calibrate welding equipment and support robotic, mechanized, and manual welding systems as required.

Benefits

• 100% coverage of medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans for employees
• 401k
• Relocation stipend if you’re moving from outside of LA
• Flexible vacation policy

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees