Production Weld Fitter

Machina Labs; Unincorporated Chatsworth (CA); On-site; USD 41,328 - 50,971; Full time

Job summary

Machina Labs seeks a Weld Fitter to precisely fit and tack weld complex aerospace-grade assemblies. You will read drawings, set up fixtures, and manage fit-up tolerances for GTAW, laser, and robotic welding.

The role requires experience with thin-wall components and aerospace materials. The ideal candidate will have 2+ years in aerospace/defense welding, ability to qualify AWS D17.1, and proficiency in GD&T reading with calipers and micrometers.

Qualifications

• 2+ years hands-on GTAW in aerospace/defense or equivalent.
• Ability to qualify to AWS D17.1 (Class A/B) and pass required visual acuity tests.
• Proficiency reading prints/GD&T using calipers, micrometers, height gauges, and weld gauges.
• Demonstrated skill with thin-wall welding and distortion management.

Responsibilities

• Fit, align, clamp, and tack weld thin-wall components and assemblies, including tanks, rings, skins, brackets, and structural hardware.
• Prepare parts and assemblies for GTAW, laser welding, and robotic welding operations in accordance with drawings, travelers, work instructions, and weld procedures.
• Read and interpret engineering drawings, GD&T, weld symbols, travelers, WPS documents, and inspection requirements.
• Perform precision layout, measurement, trimming, edge prep, and joint preparation prior to welding.
• Build, set up, and use fixtures, jigs, clamps, and tooling to maintain alignment and control distortion.
• Verify fit-up dimensions using calipers, micrometers, height gauges, weld gauges, and other precision inspection tools.
• Support purge setups for stainless steel, titanium, and other sensitive materials, including argon back-purge, dams, cleanliness controls, and dedicated tooling.
• Perform tack welding and basic weld operations as required to secure assemblies prior to final welding.
• Maintain strict cleanliness standards for aerospace welding, including degreasing, edge prep, dedicated brushes, and contamination control.
• Assist welders, manufacturing engineers, and quality personnel with first‑article builds, fit‑up improvements, fixture adjustments, and process refinements.
• Maintain accurate documentation in travelers, digital work instructions, MRP systems, and production records.
• Support robotic welding cell setup, fixture changeover, part loading, and basic equipment care as needed.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work area in accordance with 5S, PPE, and shop safety requirements.
• Mentor junior technicians or welders on fit‑up practices, cleanliness, and production discipline as needed.

Skills

GTAW welding

Read engineering drawings

GD&T interpretation

Fixture setup

Robotic/laser welding awareness

Education

High school diploma

Welding trade certificate or apprenticeship

Tools

Calipers

Micrometers

Height gauges

Weld gauges

Job description

About Machina Labs:

Engineering moves at software speed. Manufacturing doesn't. Yet.

Machina Labs is changing that. We build intelligent, software-defined factories that produce complex metal structures directly from digital design. By integrating advanced metal forming, robotics, and automated production inside a flexible factory architecture, we enable customers to move from prototype to production in weeks, not years.

Backed by Lockheed Martin, Toyota, and NVIDIA, we’re building the manufacturing infrastructure that defense, aerospace, and advanced mobility programs will run on.

If you want to work on hard problems that matter and see them fly, drive, and defend, this is the place.

Job Description:

The Weld Fitter will be responsible for the precise fit‑up, alignment, preparation, and tack welding of complex metal assemblies in support of aerospace and defense production. This role will support the fabrication of tanks, structural assemblies, rings, skins, brackets, and other thin‑wall components requiring tight tolerances and high‑quality workmanship.

The ideal candidate has strong hands‑on experience reading engineering drawings, setting up parts in fixtures, preparing weld joints, managing fit‑up tolerances, and supporting GTAW, laser welding, and robotic welding operations. Experience with aerospace‑grade materials, including aluminum, stainless steel, titanium, and nickel alloys, is preferred.

This position requires access to information controlled under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations, ITAR, or the Export Administration Regulations, EAR, so the successful candidate must meet the U.S. person requirements as defined by ITAR and EAR regulations.

Key Responsibilities:

• Fit, align, clamp, and tack weld thin‑wall components and assemblies, including tanks, rings, skins, brackets, and structural hardware.
• Prepare parts and assemblies for GTAW, laser welding, and robotic welding operations in accordance with drawings, travelers, work instructions, and weld procedures.
• Read and interpret engineering drawings, GD&T, weld symbols, travelers, WPS documents, and inspection requirements.
• Perform precision layout, measurement, trimming, edge prep, and joint preparation prior to welding.
• Build, set up, and use fixtures, jigs, clamps, and tooling to maintain alignment and control distortion.
• Verify fit‑up dimensions using calipers, micrometers, height gauges, weld gauges, and other precision inspection tools.
• Support purge setups for stainless steel, titanium, and other sensitive materials, including argon back‑purge, dams, cleanliness controls, and dedicated tooling.
• Perform tack welding and basic weld operations as required to secure assemblies prior to final welding.
• Maintain strict cleanliness standards for aerospace welding, including degreasing, edge prep, dedicated brushes, and contamination control.
• Assist welders, manufacturing engineers, and quality personnel with first‑article builds, fit‑up improvements, fixture adjustments, and process refinements.
• Maintain accurate documentation in travelers, digital work instructions, MRP systems, and production records.
• Support robotic welding cell setup, fixture changeover, part loading, and basic equipment care as needed.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work area in accordance with 5S, PPE, and shop safety requirements.
• Mentor junior technicians or welders on fit‑up practices, cleanliness, and production discipline as needed.

Required Background & Experience:

• U.S. person (ITAR/EAR).
• High school diploma or equivalent; welding trade certificate or apprenticeship preferred.
• 2+ years hands‑on GTAW in aerospace/defense or equivalent high‑spec environment.
• Ability to qualify to AWS D17.1 (Class A/B) and pass required visual acuity tests.
• Proficiency reading prints/GD&T using calipers, micrometers, height gauges, and weld gauges.
• Demonstrated skill with thin‑wall welding and distortion management.
• Comfortable with digital travelers/MRP and disciplined documentation.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience fitting aerospace, defense, pressure vessel, tank, or structural assemblies.
• Experience working to AWS D17.1 or other aerospace welding requirements.
• Experience with aluminum, stainless steel, titanium, nickel alloys, or other aerospace‑grade materials.
• Welding trade certificate, apprenticeship, or equivalent hands‑on training.
• Experience in an ISO 9001 or AS9100 certified manufacturing environment.
• Experience supporting robotic welding, laser welding, or automated manufacturing systems.
• Familiarity with purge setups, titanium/stainless cleanliness requirements, and contamination control.
• Experience supporting first‑article builds, development hardware, or low‑rate production.
• Working knowledge of lean manufacturing, 5S, and shop safety practices.

Physical/Work Environment:

• Ability to stand for extended periods and perform detailed hands‑on work under PPE.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.
• Frequent use of hand tools, clamps, fixtures, measuring equipment, and shop equipment.
• Occasional overtime or weekend shifts may be required based on program needs.

*This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required for this role. Duties and responsibilities may change based on business needs.

Machina Labs is an affirmative action and equal employment opportunity employer and considers all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or status as a protected veteran in accordance with state and federal law.

We endeavor to make the job application process accessible to any and all users. If you have a disability that impacts your ability to complete the job application process and would like to request assistance or a reasonable accommodation, please contact us at [phone]. This contact information is for accommodation requests only, not to inquire about the status of applications.

Salary:

30 - 37 USD

Actual compensation will be determined based on experience, skills, qualifications, and geographic location.

In addition to the provided base salary range, comprehensive benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision), PTO, and Stock Options.