Lead Welder - 2nd Shift

InvestedintheMission; McGregor (TX); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceX is seeking a Lead Welder for the 2nd shift in Texas to lead and mentor the welding crew while coordinating with multiple teams on aerospace construction projects. The role requires strong leadership, welding expertise, and a commitment to safety and quality.

Responsibilities include training, reporting, and ensuring weld procedures and materials meet project requirements, with flexibility for overtime and site conditions. ITAR compliance and a safety-first mindset are essential.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalency is required.
• 7+ years of welding experience with SMAW, GMAW, GTAW, FCAW.

Responsibilities

• Lead and offer daily support to the welding team.
• Assist the supervisor in coaching, mentoring, and training team members and contractors.
• Report status and issues to leadership and customers through emails, updates to web pages, or similar means; ensure clocking discipline to enable tracking of job status.
• Support leadership in de-escalation of conflict, following company policies, and setting/enforcing a high bar for quality and throughput.
• Complete welding assignments and procedures for the construction and repair of all site structural stands on time, safely, and in a professional manner.
• Coordinate work with support groups (flight control, other fab/civil organizations, engineering, etc.).
• Collaborate with welding leadership to ensure that the proper weld procedure, type of material, and rod size are accurately assessed for each welding project; ensure that all information and requirements are communicated to contractors working on those projects
• Analyze engineering drawings and specifications to plan welding operations where procedural information is unavailable
• 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
• Perform other related duties, as assigned, for the purpose of ensuring an efficient and effective work environment

Skills

Team leadership

Welding expertise

Safety compliance

Training/coaching

Communication

Education

High school diploma or equivalency certificate

Tools

Overhead cranes

Forklifts

Precision measuring instruments

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.

LEAD WELDER - 2ND SHIFT

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead and offer daily support to the welding team
• Assist the supervisor in coaching, mentoring, and training team members and contractors
• Report status and issues to leadership and customers through emails, updates to web pages, or similar means; ensure clocking discipline to enable tracking of job status
• Support leadership in de-escalation of conflict, following company policies, and setting/enforcing a high bar for quality and throughput
• Complete welding assignments and procedures for the construction and repair of all site structural stands on time, safely, and in a professional manner
• Coordinate work with support groups (flight control, other fab/civil organizations, engineering, etc.)
• Collaborate with welding leadership to ensure that the proper weld procedure, type of material, and rod size are accurately assessed for each welding project; ensure that all information and requirements are communicated to contractors working on those projects
• Analyze engineering drawings and specifications to plan welding operations where procedural information is unavailable
• 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
• Perform other related duties, as assigned, for the purpose of ensuring an efficient and effective work environment

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school diploma or equivalency certificate
• 7+ years of experience with at least one of the following: shielded metal arc welding (SMAW), gas metal arc welding (GMAW), gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW), flux-cored arc welding (FCAW) (experience from a college welding program qualifies)

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Experience as a combo welder with the ability to fabricate and weld carbon structure, carbon pipe, and stainless pipe
• Experience leading a team or project
• Knowledge of standard tools, materials, motions, and practices of the welding trade
• Knowledge of occupational hazards and effective safety precautions of the trade
• Experience in overhead cranes and forklifts
• Use of precision measuring instruments
• Ability to rapidly change roles/responsibilities while working in a high-paced, challenging work environment

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Anticipated hours for this position are 1:30 PM - 12:30 AM
• Schedule varies depending on site operational needs; flexibility required
• Ability to work on ladders/lifts at elevated heights (up to 300 feet) with appropriate safety equipment
• Typically exposed to work in extreme outdoor environments - heat, cold, rain
• Work performed in an environment requiring exposure to fumes, odors, and noise
• Valid driver's license
• Must be able to work overtime and weekends, depending on site operational needs; flexibility is required
• Physical effort with some handling of lightweight supplies or materials (up to 45 lbs. unassisted)

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 Affirmtive Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to [e-mail].