Aerospace Structural Welder - Spacecraft Fabrication

Frontera Space; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

AWS Certified Welder

Equity participation

Competitive compensation

Job summary

Frontera Space in North Austin, TX, is seeking an experienced Structural Steel Welder to join the Fabrication Department in our Production Division. You will weld structural steel components and assemble frames, tooling, and ground-support equipment for aerospace development and production.

You will read engineering drawings, follow approved procedures, and work across multiple positions with a strong emphasis on dimensional accuracy, distortion control, and safe, high-quality welds.

Qualifications

• High school diploma, GED, or equivalent technical education.
• 3+ years of structural steel welding and fabrication experience, journeyman experience, or demonstrated equivalent skill.
• Strong proficiency with SMAW/stick welding on carbon and structural steel.
• Experience with structural layout, fit-up, tacking, welding, and finishing.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, fabrication drawings, and welding symbols.
• Ability to perform accurate measurements using tape measures, squares, levels, calipers, and other common fabrication and inspection tools.
• Ability to weld in multiple positions, including flat, horizontal, vertical, and overhead.
• Ability to maintain dimensional accuracy and control distortion during fabrication and welding.
• Working knowledge of joint preparation, weld sequencing, penetration, heat input, and structural weld quality.
• Ability to visually inspect completed welds and identify common defects.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and hands‑on problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to safely operate welding machines, grinders, saws, cutting equipment, and common fabrication tools.
• Ability to follow written procedures, weld instructions, and detailed manufacturing documentation.
• Strong attention to safety, workmanship, quality, and production schedule.

Responsibilities

• Perform SMAW/stick welding and MIG/GMAW on carbon and structural steel in accordance with approved weld procedures, drawings, and production requirements.
• Fabricate and weld structural steel assemblies, frames, supports, platforms, fixtures, tooling, test infrastructure, ground-support equipment, and other welded components.
• Read and interpret engineering drawings, fabrication drawings, weld symbols, specifications, travelers, and manufacturing work instructions.
• Perform material layout, cutting, preparation, fit-up, alignment, tacking, welding, and post-weld finishing.
• Set up and operate welding machines, cutting equipment, grinders, saws, fixtures, positioners, clamps, and other fabrication tools.
• Perform structural welds in multiple positions, including flat, horizontal, vertical, and overhead, as required.
• Verify material type, dimensions, joint preparation, root gaps, fit-up, alignment, and weld parameters before and during fabrication.
• Maintain dimensional accuracy and control weld distortion during fabrication of large and small structural assemblies.
• Produce welds that meet applicable structural workmanship standards, engineering requirements, and approved welding procedures.
• Inspect completed work for weld defects, dimensional accuracy, alignment, distortion, and overall workmanship.
• Perform grinding, blending, repair welding, and rework as required to bring fabricated assemblies into compliance.
• Support weld inspection and non-destructive inspection activities and correct fabrication discrepancies as directed.
• Maintain accurate production documentation, inspection records, and material traceability where required.
• Work closely with Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, Design Engineering, and Production personnel to resolve fabrication and fit-up issues.
• Identify opportunities to improve fabrication methods, fixtures, tooling, welding sequence, safety, quality, and production efficiency.
• Maintain welding equipment, fabrication tools, fixtures, and work areas in a safe and serviceable condition.
• Follow all company safety procedures, hot-work requirements, PPE requirements, hazardous-material controls, and manufacturing practices.
• Support prototype, development, test, facility, ground-support, and production fabrication activities as required.

Skills

SMAW / Stick Welding

Weld in multiple positions

Structural layout & fit-up

Reading drawings & weld symbols

GMAW / MIG welding

Safety awareness

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Welding equipment

Job description

Frontera Space in North Austin, TX, is seeking an experienced Structural Steel Welder to join the Fabrication Department in our Production Division. You will weld structural steel components and assemble frames, tooling, and ground-support equipment for aerospace development and production.

You will read engineering drawings, follow approved procedures, and work across multiple positions with a strong emphasis on dimensional accuracy, distortion control, and safe, high-quality welds.