Automated Welding Technician - VPPA

Blue Origin LLC; United States; On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Education Support Program

Stock options for regular employees

Job summary

Blue Origin is seeking a Welder/Laser Operator to support advanced manufacturing on aluminum, steel, and alloy parts for aerospace hardware. You will perform orbital tube welding, TIG, and VPPA welding to tight tolerances, interpret blueprints, and fabricate sub-assemblies with precision measurement tools.

Join a team focused on safety, cleanliness, and continuous improvement in a spaceflight environment. Relocation is available for qualified candidates; shift options vary across A-D.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED, plus trade school degree or equivalent experience.
• Experience with orbital tube welding, TIG, and VPPA welding on aerospace alloys.
• AWS welding certification or equivalent preferred.
• Ability to read blueprints and technical docs; use precision measuring tools.

Responsibilities

• Perform welding: orbital tube welding, TIG, and automated welding (VPPA) on aerospace parts.
• Read blueprints and weld procedures to ensure tolerances and quality.
• Prepare surfaces and fabricate sub-assemblies per aerospace standards.
• Use calipers, height gauges, and portable CMMs to verify dimensions.
• Maintain clean, safe, and compliant workspace; assist with basic equipment maintenance.

Skills

Orbital tube welding

TIG welding

VPPA welding

Blueprint reading

Precision measurement

Quality standards

Team collaboration

Education

High school diploma or GED, trade school degree

Tools

Calipers

Height gauges

Portable CMMs

Welding equipment maintenance

Job description

At Blue Origin, we envision millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth. We’re working to develop reusable, safe, and low-cost space vehicles and systems within a culture of safety, collaboration, and inclusion. Join our team of problem solvers as we add new chapters to the history of spaceflight!\, This role is part of Blue Origin Operations, which is comprised of Integrated Supply Chain, Test Operations, Safety, Quality, and Mission Assurance. This includes Manufacturing and Supply Chain support across all Blue Origin facilities.

As a Welder/Laser Operator at Blue Origin, you will support advanced manufacturing operations by performing precision welding processes on aluminum, steel, and alloy parts and assemblies to rigorous aerospace tolerances. Your work will involve utilizing a variety of welding metals, alloys, and cutting-edge techniques—including orbital tube welding, TIG, and automated processes such as Variable Polarity Plasma Arc (VPPA)—to fabricate and assemble critical hardware. You will blend and prepare metallic surfaces for welding and non-destructive evaluation, ensuring stringent quality, safety, and cleanliness standards are met in every step. This position calls for expertise in reading blueprints, operating precision measurement tools, and maintaining an organized, compliant workspace.

Position Specific Details

• Shifts: A | Mon-Thurs. (5am-3:30pm), B | Mon-Thurs (3pm-1:30pm), C | Fri-Sun (5am-5:30pm), D | Fri-Sun (5pm-5:30am)
• Location: Space Coast, FL
• Relocation: Available

Key Responsibilities

• Perform welding processes - including orbital tube welding (OTW), TIG welding, and automated welding methods (VPPA) - on aluminum, steel, and alloy aerospace components to specified tolerances and quality requirements.
• Read and interpret blueprints, technical drawings, and welding procedures to execute precision fabrications and assemblies.
• Prepare and blend metallic surfaces using hand tools for welding and non-destructive evaluation, ensuring optimal cleanliness and fit-up.
• Fabricate jigs, fixtures, and metallic sub-assemblies in adherence to aerospace standards.
• Use precision measurement tools (calipers, height gauges, portable CMMs, etc.) to verify accuracy and quality in completed work.
• Conduct basic troubleshooting and preventative maintenance on welding and laser equipment.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and compliant work environment, strictly following safety, cleanliness, and 5S protocols.
• Collaborate with other team members and cross-functional groups to optimize processes and workflows, sharing best practices and supporting continuous improvement.
• Document work performed and communicate findings to engineering and quality teams.

Team Focus & Domain Expertise

The Welder/Laser Operator team at Blue Origin specializes in advanced welding and fabrication for aerospace structures, bringing mastery in orbital tube welding, TIG, VPPA, and related processes. Team members possess strong capabilities in tube bending, facing, cleaning, and precision measurement—contributing to the assembly, refurbishment, and integration of complex hardware for flight and non-flight systems. A culture of rigorous cleanliness, safety, and continuous improvement underpins all collaborative efforts.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED, plus trade school degree, or equivalent years of relevant experience.
• Experience performing various welding techniques (orbital tube welding, TIG, automated welding processes such as VPPA) on metals/alloys used in aerospace applications.
• Certification in welding (e.g., AWS Certified Welder) or equivalent.
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints and technical documentation.
• Proficiency in using measuring tools including calipers, height gauges, and similar precision equipment.
• Basic understanding of metallurgical principles and welding processes.
• Ability to lift 50lbs and work at heights (stands, ladders, lifts) and/or in confined spaces.
• Proficiency with digital tools, including Windows and Microsoft Office applications.
• Must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. permanent resident (current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced industry certifications, trade school training, or degree in a related field.
• Extensive experience in aerospace manufacturing environments and complex assembly.
• Expertise in fabricating jigs and fixtures for precise hardware builds.
• Advanced knowledge of tube bending, facing, cleaning, and weldment preparation techniques.
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to effectively troubleshoot and resolve complex technical issues.
• Familiarity with aerospace cleanliness standards and compliant workspace maintenance.
• Lean Manufacturing and/or Six Sigma certification.
• Willingness and ability to work overtime when required.
• Ability to work A, B, C or D shift as necessary.

Benefits

Benefits include:

• Medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability, 401(k) with a company match of up to 5%, and an Education Support Program.
• Stock Options for all regular employees (working at least 20 hours/week)
• Paid Time Off: Up to four (4) weeks per year based on weekly scheduled hours, and up to 14 company-paid holidays.
• Dependent on role type and job level, employees may be eligible for benefits and bonuses based on the company's intent to reward individual contributions and enable them to share in the company's results, or other factors at the company's sole discretion.
• Bonus amounts and eligibility are not guaranteed and subject to change and cancellation.
• Please check with your recruiter for more details.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Blue Origin is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and is committed to attracting, retaining, and developing a highly qualified and dedicated work force. Blue Origin hires and promotes people on the basis of their qualifications, performance, and abilities. We support the establishment and maintenance of a workplace that fosters trust, equality, and teamwork. We provide all qualified applicants for employment and employees with equal opportunities for hire, promotion, and other terms and conditions of employment, regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin/ethnicity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local law. Blue Origin will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the Washington Fair Chance Act, the California Fair Chance Act, the Los Angeles Fair Chance in Hiring Ordinance, and other applicable laws. For more information on “Know Your Rights,” please see here.

Affirmative Action and Disability Accommodation

Applicants wishing to receive information on Blue Origin’s affirmative action plans, or applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in the application and/or interview process, please contact us at [e-mail]. Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request.

We’re committed to building the road to space so our children can build the future. We are a mission‑driven company focused on ideas and innovation, and encourage fresh perspectives from bold voices. At Blue, our team is building the future as their unique selves. Thank you for your interest in working at Blue Origin!

Blue Origin was founded with a vision to enable a future where millions of people are living and working in space to benefit Earth. In order to preserve Earth, Blue Origin believes in the need to enable humanity to expand, explore, find new energy and material resources, and move industries that stress Earth into space. Blue Origin believes it has an important role in building a road to space and lowering the cost of getting there. At Blue Origin, we’re working on this today by developing fully reusable launch vehicles and systems that are safe, reliable and affordable. Every launch vehicle is designed for human spaceflight from the beginning and able to ferry payloads to space.

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