Apprentice Welder

Spacex; McGregor (TX); On-site; USD 40,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceX seeks an Apprentice Welder for its Texas Test Site to join the weld support team and perform plasma programming, band saw operation, and material handling. You will study engineering drawings, follow safety practices, and help improve workflow in a high‑tempo manufacturing setting.

Ideal candidates hold an Associate’s degree or 2-year technical certificate and have 2+ years of welding experience across FCAW/SMAW/GTAW/GMAW, with readiness for travel and outdoor work.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree or 2-year technical certification in welding or related field.
• 2+ years of welding experience in FCAW/SMAW/GTAW/GMAW, college program acceptable.

Responsibilities

• Perform task such as plasma table programming and operating band and chop saws.
• Analyze engineering drawings to determine dimensions and tolerances.
• Obtain and maintain required licenses, permits, or certifications.
• Improve operations and collaborate with leaders to meet deadlines.
• Support the weld team and cross-train across functions.
• Perform related duties to ensure an efficient shop environment.

Skills

FCAW

SMAW

GTAW

GMAW

Education

Associate’s degree or 2-year technical certification

Job description

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.

APPRENTICE WELDER

We are currently seeking an apprentice welder to join our Texas Test Site. This position requires specialized trade skills to meet welding requirements and operational needs. The position is responsible for performing the duties of an apprentice welder and the weld support team (plasma programming/operation, saw operation, material movement in and around the shop, and cross‑training across these functions).

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Perform tasks such as plasma table programming, operating a band saw, chop saw, and manually drilling or milling materials
• Analyze engineering drawings to determine dimensions and tolerances of cut parts
• Obtain and maintain licenses, operator permits, or certifications as required
• Make a continuous effort to improve operations, decrease turnaround times, streamline work processes, and work cooperatively and jointly
• Work with leaders to complete the assignment/project, solve problems, meet deadlines, and review issues for consistent improvement
• Perform other related duties, as assigned, to ensure an efficient and effective work environment

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Associate’s degree or certification from a 2-year technical school
• 2+ years of experience (experience from a college welding program qualifies) in two of the following processes: Flux-Cored Arc Welding (FCAW), Shielded Metal Arc Welding/stick welding (SMAW), Gas Tungsten Arc Welding/TIG welding (GTAW), or Gas Metal Arc Welding/MIG welding (GMAW)

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• 1+ years of experience with plasma table programming/operating
• Ability to use measuring instruments of all types
• Experience working in cutting or machining operations
• Experience in a high‑mix, low‑volume (job shop) manufacturing environment
• Knowledge of standard tools, materials, motions, and practices of the welding trade
• Knowledge of occupational hazards and effective safety precautions of the trade
• Ability to rapidly change focus while working in a high‑paced, challenging work environment

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to stand, kneel, crouch, climb, twist the upper body, and work in confined spaces
• Ability to stand for extended periods (8 hours minimum)
• Ability to lift heavy objects up to 45 lbs. unassisted
• Ability to work at heights up to 300 feet with proper personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Ability to respond to emergencies to support priority projects, missions, and launches
• Available to work extended hours and weekends depending on site operational needs
• Ability to work in extreme outdoor environments – heat, cold, wind, rain, etc.
• Work performed in an environment exposed to fumes, odors, sparks, and noise
• Must be willing to travel nationally for up to four weeks – travel will be less than 15%
• 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 [e-mail] .

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey. Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiring process or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in a confidential file.

As set forth in SpaceX’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy, we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection. As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measure the effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categories is as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service‑connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three‑year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.