Senior Fusion Weld Engineer – Aerospace Launch

Relativity Space, Inc.; Long Beach, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 124,000 - 186,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary and equity

Generous PTO and sick leave

Parental leave

Learning and development stipend

Job summary

Relativity Space is seeking a senior Welding Engineer to lead fusion welding process development for the Terran-R program. You will partner with design, manufacturing, and quality teams to define and optimize welding methods, ensuring AWS D17.1 conformity and robust production-readiness.

The role demands deep expertise in GTAW, GMAW, laser, and orbital welding, with familiarity in aerospace alloys. You’ll mentor junior engineers and drive continuous improvements across automated production lines

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Welding Engineering, Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, or related field (Master’s degree preferred).
• 5+ years of experience in fusion welding process development, qualification, and production support within aerospace or high-reliability manufacturing.
• Extensive knowledge of fusion welding processes (GTAW, GMAW, laser, and orbital tube welding) and related equipment setup and parameter optimization.
• Experience with aerospace materials such as stainless steel, nickel, aluminum, and titanium alloys.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional problem-solving and drive technical decisions in fast-paced production.

Responsibilities

• Lead cross-functional collaboration with design, manufacturing, and quality teams to develop, qualify, and optimize advanced fusion welding processes and equipment/tools for the Terran-R launch vehicle.
• Own weld process development and qualification, including authoring and approving weld procedure specifications and qualifications (WPS/PQR) per AWS D17.1 and aerospace standards.
• Provide expert technical support to manufacturing operations—troubleshoot welding challenges, perform root cause analysis, drive corrective actions.
• Establish and maintain process controls, quality documentation, and inspection criteria to ensure compliance with aerospace standards and production goals.
• Mentor and guide junior weld engineers and technicians, promoting best practices in welding process control and efficiency.
• Identify and lead continuous improvement initiatives to advance welding automation, throughput, and reliability.

Skills

Welding engineering

Fusion welding processes

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem solving

Leadership

Education

Bachelor’s in Welding Engineering or related field

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

GTAW equipment

GMAW equipment

Laser welding systems

Orbital welding tooling

Job description

Relativity Space is seeking a senior Welding Engineer to lead fusion welding process development for the Terran-R program. You will partner with design, manufacturing, and quality teams to define and optimize welding methods, ensuring AWS D17.1 conformity and robust production-readiness.

The role demands deep expertise in GTAW, GMAW, laser, and orbital welding, with familiarity in aerospace alloys. You’ll mentor junior engineers and drive continuous improvements across automated production lines