SpaceX

Builds rockets and runs Starlink satellite internet

Lead Welder - Pipe, Starship Launch Fabrication

Welding & Metal FabricationConfirmed live in the last 24 hours

Full-timeBrownsville, TX, USANo salary listedIn-person

About the Job

Requirements

A high school diploma or equivalency certificate is required.
At least 3 years of pipe welding experience is required.
At least 1 year of structural welding experience is required.
The candidate must obtain and maintain all required licenses, operator permits, or certifications.
The candidate must be able to work overtime and weekends based on site operational needs.
The candidate must be able to work outdoors in extreme heat, cold, and rain, and in environments with fumes, odors, and noise.
A valid driver's license is required.
The candidate must be able to safely work at heights up to 500 feet, in confined spaces, and operate heavy equipment and machinery.
The candidate must be capable of the listed physical duties, including standing, walking, overhead reaching, climbing, kneeling or crouching, and lifting or carrying up to 50 pounds and pushing or pulling up to 75 pounds.
The candidate must be able to work in temperatures over 80 degrees for six or more hours per day.
The candidate must be a U.S. citizen or national, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee, or be eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Responsibilities

Provide daily leadership and hands-on support to the welding team.
Assist the supervisor with coaching, mentoring, and training team members.
Communicate status updates and issues to leadership and customers.
Support leadership in conflict de-escalation, adherence to company policies, and maintaining high standards for quality and throughput.
Coordinate activities with support groups, including materials management, fabrication technicians, quality control, and engineering customers.
Partner with the welding supervisor and quality control to verify the correct weld procedure, material type, and rod size for each project.
Review engineering drawings and specifications to plan welding operations when procedural details are not provided.
Continuously improve operations, reduce turnaround times, streamline processes, and foster cooperative teamwork.

Desired Qualifications

At least 5 years of metal fabrication experience.
At least 3 years of experience leading small- or medium-sized welding teams.
At least 1 year of experience at a launch, test, or production site.
Strong knowledge of welding techniques, metallurgy, and engineering requirements.
Familiarity with standard tools, materials, methods, and practices of the welding trade.
Understanding of ferrous and non-ferrous metals as they relate to welding.
Awareness of occupational hazards and effective safety precautions in the welding trade.
Knowledge of arc air procedures and equipment.
Proficiency with precision measuring instruments.
Ability to quickly adapt roles and responsibilities in a fast-paced, high-challenge environment.

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.

LEAD WELDER, PIPE (STARSHIP LAUNCH FABRICATION)

SpaceX is seeking a Lead Welder for its Starbase facility in South Texas. This role demands proven leadership of welding teams of varying sizes, expertise in stainless steel pipe welding, and the capacity to oversee multiple projects. The Lead Welder will primarily coordinate daily work scopes while delivering quality oversight for SpaceX welders and contractors.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Provide daily leadership and hands-on support to the welding team
Assist the supervisor with coaching, mentoring, and training team members
Communicate status updates and issues to leadership and customers
Support leadership in conflict de-escalation, adherence to company policies, and maintaining high standards for quality and throughput
Coordinate activities with support groups including materials management, fabrication technicians, quality control, and engineering customers
Partner with the welding supervisor and quality control to verify the correct weld procedure, material type, and rod size for each project
Review engineering drawings and specifications to plan welding operations when procedural details are not provided
Obtain and maintain all required licenses, operator permits, or certifications
Improve operations continuously, reduce turnaround times, streamline processes, and foster cooperative teamwork
Perform additional related duties as assigned to support an efficient and effective work environment

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

High school diploma or equivalency certificate
3+ years of pipe welding experience
1+ years of structural welding experience

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

5+ years of metal fabrication experience
3+ years leading small/medium sized welding teams
1+ years of experience at a launch, test, or production site
Strong knowledge of welding techniques, metallurgy, and engineering requirements
Familiarity with standard tools, materials, methods, and practices of the welding trade
Understanding of ferrous and non-ferrous metals as they relate to welding
Awareness of occupational hazards and effective safety precautions in the trade
Knowledge of arc air procedures and equipment
Proficiency with precision measuring instruments
Ability to quickly adapt roles and responsibilities in a fast-paced, high-challenge environment

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Anticipated hours for this position are Monday - Friday 6:00 am - 4:30 pm
Must be able to work overtime and weekend work based on site operational needs; flexibility is essential
Must be able to work in extreme outdoor conditions including heat, cold, and rain
Comfort performing work in environments with fumes, odors, and noise
Valid driver’s license
Stand: Up to 10 hours per day
Sit: Up to 3 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 6 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, 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 [email protected].

About the Company

SpaceX

Builds rockets and runs Starlink satellite internet

SpaceX builds and launches reusable rockets and spacecraft for NASA, the military, and companies, and it runs Starlink, a satellite internet service for homes and businesses. In 2020, its Dragon capsule became the first privately built spacecraft to carry astronauts to the International Space Station. Its Falcon 9 rocket lands its first stage so the booster can fly again, which cuts launch costs, while Starlink beams internet from low-orbit satellites to small dishes for a monthly fee. SpaceX also owns xAI, maker of the Grok chatbot and owner of the social network X, and is building Starship, a fully reusable rocket meant to carry people to the Moon and Mars. Elon Musk founded SpaceX in 2002, and it is based in Starbase, Texas.

Company size: 10,001+
Company stage: IPO
Headquarters: Starbase, Texas
Founded: 2002

Recently Posted Jobs

Explore more opportunities at SpaceX

See more jobs