Manufacturing Engineer (Welding)

Quantum Space; Tulsa (OK); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity participation

Medical, dental, vision benefits

Generous leave

HSA contributions

401(k) matching

Job summary

Quantum Space seeks a Manufacturing Engineer (Welding) to lead welding process development for Ranger spacecraft hardware at the Tulsa center. You will establish WPS/PQR, qualify welders, select equipment, and design fixtures while ensuring flight hardware meets aerospace quality and mission assurance standards.

You will collaborate with design engineering, manufacturing, and quality teams to implement process controls, train floor personnel, and transition from development to rate production.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in welding, materials, mechanical, or aerospace engineering, or AWS Certified Welding Engineer required.
• 3+ years of welding engineering experience in aerospace, pressure vessel, or precision fabrication environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop and qualify welding procedure specifications (WPS/PQR) for titanium, aluminum, stainless, and Inconel in TIG, orbital, and automated processes.
• Qualify and certify welders and weld operators; maintain certification records.
• Select, specify, and commission welding equipment, orbital weld heads, purge systems, and weld cells.
• Design and procure weld fixtures and tooling for tanks, tube assemblies, and structural weldments.
• Define weld inspection plans, NDI requirements, and acceptance criteria with quality and design engineering.
• Lead root cause and corrective action on weld defects and process excursions.

Skills

Welding engineering

Process controls

WPS/PQR development

Welder qualification

Root cause analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in welding, materials, mechanical, or aerospace engineering

Tools

Orbital weld heads

Purge systems

Weld cells

Job description

Quantum Space is redefining mobility and maneuverability in space. Our high-mobility spacecraft platforms support national security, civil, and commercial missions with unmatched flexibility and propulsion capability. We build fast and iterate quickly.

Who We’re Looking For

We are seeking a skilled and technically driven Manufacturing Engineer (Welding) to lead the development, qualification, and implementation of welding processes for our Ranger spacecraft program at our Tulsa manufacturing center. In this role, you will oversee welding processes supporting propellant tanks, propulsion feed systems, tubing and fittings, structural weldments, and tooling while ensuring all flight hardware meets rigorous aerospace quality, safety, and mission assurance requirements.

You will play a critical role in establishing welding capabilities for our growing manufacturing operations, including developing welding procedures, qualifying welders, selecting equipment, designing fixtures, and implementing process controls that ensure consistent, repeatable, and traceable weld quality. Working closely with design engineering, manufacturing, quality, and production teams, you will serve as the technical authority for welding operations and help transition Ranger spacecraft hardware from development into rate production.

This position is ideal for an engineer who combines strong welding engineering expertise with hands‑on manufacturing experience, enjoys solving complex technical challenges, and thrives in a fast‑paced environment where innovation, precision, and mission success are essential.

Where You’ll Make an Impact

• Develop and qualify welding procedure specifications (WPS/PQR) for titanium, aluminum, stainless, and Inconel in TIG, orbital, and automated processes
• Qualify and certify welders and weld operators; maintain certification records
• Select, specify, and commission welding equipment, orbital weld heads, purge systems, and weld cells
• Design and procure weld fixtures and tooling for tanks, tube assemblies, and structural weldments
• Define weld inspection plans, NDI requirements, and acceptance criteria with quality and design engineering
• Partner with design engineering on weld joint design, accessibility, and specification callouts
• Lead root cause and corrective action on weld defects and process excursions
• Write work instructions and process control plans for welding operations; train and support welders on the floor
• Ensure welding operations comply with safety, cleanliness, and mission assurance requirements

What It Takes

• Bachelor's degree in welding, materials, mechanical, or aerospace engineering, or AWS Certified Welding Engineer
• 3+ years of experience in welding engineering in an aerospace, pressure vessel, or precision fabrication environment

Nice-to-Have Experience

• Hands‑on TIG welding ability on thin‑wall aerospace alloys
• Experience with AWS D17.1, AWS D1.1, NASA-STD-5006, or ASME Section IX
• Experience with orbital tube welding of stainless and titanium for fluid systems
• Experience with electron beam, laser, or friction stir weldingExperience with weld NDI (radiography, dye penetrant, ultrasonic) and metallographic evaluation
• AWS Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) certification
• Experience standing up a weld shop or weld cell, including equipment selection and purge and cleanliness controls
• Familiarity with AS9100 quality systems and mission assurance practices for flight hardware

What You’ll Get

• Ownership – Lead the development, qualification, and implementation of welding processes for mission‑critical spacecraft hardware, taking responsibility for welding quality, process controls, and production readiness
• Innovation – Develop and implement advanced welding technologies, equipment, and manufacturing processes supporting next‑generation spacecraft propulsion and structural systems
• Impact – Play a direct role in ensuring the quality, reliability, and performance of flight‑ready propulsion tanks, fluid systems, and structural components supporting national security, civil, and commercial space missions
• Growth – Join a collaborative, fast‑paced engineering and manufacturing team where you can expand your technical expertise, establish new welding capabilities, and help shape the future of spacecraft production
• Compensation – Competitive salary, equity, and comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, generous leave, HSA, 401(k) matching, and equity participation.

Location: Tulsa, OK

The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors. Actual salary offer may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in the majority of full time offers; and are considered part of Quantum Space's total compensation package.

Additional Requirements

To comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including ITAR, applicants must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual per 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

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 Quantum Space’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.