Orbital Tube Welder II, Spacecraft

Firefly Aerospace; Cedar Park (TX); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous health benefits

Educational reimbursement

Flexible PTO options

Job summary

A leading space technology company located in Texas is seeking an Orbital Tube Welder II. This role focuses on precision welding of spacecraft hardware in a cleanroom environment. Ideal candidates will have at least a year of hands-on orbital welding experience and strong manual GTAW skills. Responsibilities include fabricating propulsion tubing assemblies and ensuring quality welds meet aerospace standards. The position offers competitive benefits and allows for career growth within the aerospace industry.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 1 year of hands-on Orbital welding experience.
• Strong manual GTAW welding skills, including hand fitting and tack welding.
• Demonstrated ability to perform Orbital welding independently without supervision.

Responsibilities

• Fabricate, bend, face, fit, tack and weld propulsion tubing assemblies.
• Independently set up, operate, and maintain orbital welding equipment.
• Perform visual and borescope inspections of welds and internal tube surfaces.

Skills

Orbital welding

GTAW welding skills

Attention to detail

Ability to read 2D/3D drawings

Inspection skills

Tools

Band saws

Grinders

Measuring tools

Job description

ABOUT FIREFLY AEROSPACE
As an end-to-end responsive space company, Firefly Aerospace is on a mission to enable our world to launch, land, and operate in space – anywhere, anytime. Our small- to medium-lift launch vehicles, lunar landers, and orbital vehicles allow us to service the entire lifecycle of government and commercial missions from low Earth orbit to the Moon and beyond. We utilize carbon composite structures, patented propulsion technologies, and common components across our vehicles to iterate quickly, improve reliability, and deliver payloads at a lower cost.

SUMMARY

We are seeking a skilled Orbital Tube Welder II to support spacecraft assembly, integration, and test (AI&T) activities. This role focuses on precision welding of spacecraft propulsion and fluid systems hardware within a cleanroom integration environment.

The ideal candidate has experience performing orbital GTAW welding on aerospace-grade tubing and thrives in a flight hardware environment where quality, traceability, and process discipline are critical. This position works closely with propulsion engineers, integration technicians, quality inspectors, and test teams to ensure spacecraft fluid systems are built to exacting aerospace standards and are ready for environmental testing and launch.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Fabricate, bend, face, fit, tack and weld propulsion tubing assemblies
• Cut, prepare, and clean tubing and fittings prior to welding
• Perform orbital welds that meet AWS D17.1 and internal aerospace quality standards
• Independently set up, operate, and maintain orbital welding equipment in accordance with qualified procedures
• Execute qualified weld schedules for a range of materials and tube sizes
• Perform visual and borescope inspections of welds and internal tube surfaces
• Work from approved 2D/3D drawings, models, and engineering documentation
• Coordinate with engineering and quality teams to resolve fabrication or inspection issues
• Safely work with hazardous materials and high-pressure systems
• Maintain a clean, organized, and controlled work environment

Physical Requirements & Work Schedule

• Ability to work all shifts, including overtime and/or weekends as required
  • 1st Shift: 7:00 AM – 3:30 PM - overtime as necessary to meet company needs
• Ability to lift to 25 lbs. unassisted
• Ability to stand for extended periods (minimum 8 hours)
• Ability to stoop, bend, crawl, and maneuver in confined or tight spaces

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Minimum of 1 year of hands-on Orbital welding experience
• Demonstrated ability to perform Orbital welding independently without supervision
• Strong manual GTAW welding skills, including hand fitting and tack welding
• Proven ability to hand-bend and face tubing lines to specification
• Experience welding to AWS D17.1 or equivalent aerospace standards
• Ability to read and interpret aerospace 2D and 3D drawings
• Experience performing visual and borescope inspections
• Proficiency with fabrication shop equipment (band saws, grinders, sanders, drills, etc.)
• Experience in using precision measurement tools (calipers, height gauges, scales, etc.)
• Strong attention to detail, workmanship, and cleanliness

Desired:

• 3+ year of hands-on Orbital welding experience
• Experience with propulsion or high-pressure fluid systems
• Prior experience supporting aerospace flight hardware or test systems
• Certification from an orbital welding training program
• AWS D17.1 GTAW welding certification
• Familiarity with aerospace fittings such as AN and NPT
• Experience cleaning tubing systems to aerospace or medical cleanliness standards
• Experience inspecting tube assemblies using vector measuring machines

Firefly offers outstanding benefits for our employees, including generous health, dental and vision plans with low plan deductibles, parental leave, educational reimbursement, short term disability, and flexible PTO options.

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Firefly Aerospace, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Firefly is governed based on 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