Senior Materials & Process Engineer I/II - Welding

Kokopelli Capital; Durango (CO); On-site; USD 116,000 - 192,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage

Dental and vision plans

Flexible Time Off

Parental leave

401(k) with company match

Job summary

Agile Space Industries in Durango, CO, is seeking a Senior Weld Engineer I/II to act as the technical authority for metal joining across propulsion systems. The role bridges design and production, establishing high-reliability welding and brazing standards for exotic alloys and AM-driven components.

You will qualify joining processes, collaborate with AM and materials teams, and oversee external weld subcontractors to ensure flight hardware integrity in extreme environments. U.S.

Qualifications

• B.S. or advanced degree in weld engineering, metallurgy, materials science, mechanical engineering, or related field
• 8+ years of experience with product development
• Deep understanding of metal joining processes, heat treatment, and the impact of welding on microstructural properties.
• Familiarity with metallurgy and heat treatment of aluminum, titanium, and refractory alloys
• Proficiency with AWS D17.1 and other relevant industry standards.
• Experience with fracture mechanics, fatigue, and the physics of weld-induced deformation/stress.
• Candidate must be a US citizen or permanent resident.

Responsibilities

• Select and qualify welding and brazing processes for new and existing designs.
• Establish and maintain enterprise welding standards and special process specifications in accordance with industry (AWS, AMS) and NASA standards.
• Participate in cross-functional design reviews to provide expertise on weld joint design, accessibility, and manufacturability.
• Define and manage weld qualification campaigns, including the development of WPS/PQR and the selection of NDE/CT techniques for verification.
• Oversee and qualify external welding subcontractors to ensure adherence to Agile’s quality and technical requirements.
• Lead root-cause analysis for manufacturing defects or test failures related to joining processes, providing dispositions for non-conformances.
• Develop detailed work instructions for internal welding operations and assembly sequences.
• Support the growth and training of welding skillsets within other engineering and technician personnel.
• Selection and deployment of welding equipment for use on flight deliverable hardware.

Skills

Welding engineering

Metallurgy

Materials science

Mechanical engineering

AWS D17.1

Fracture mechanics

Fatigue analysis

High-temp coatings knowledge

Laboratory oversight

Education

B.S. in weld engineering or related field

M.S. in materials science or metallurgy

Tools

AWS D17.1

AMS standards

NDE techniques

CT techniques

AM qualification

Job description

Description

Agile Space Industries is a rapidly growing supplier of propulsion hardware and engineering services for the space industry. Headquartered in Durango, Colorado, with expanding operations in Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania, and Tulsa, Oklahoma, Agile has achieved more than 40% year-over-year growth for the past three years, and our momentum continues to accelerate.

At Agile, we design, build, and test in-space propulsion systems that give spacecraft the ability to maneuver with precision, reliability, and purpose. Our technologies play a critical role in missions that range from lunar landings and resource utilization to national defense, human exploration, and commercial space transport.

We are seeking bold and driven individuals who thrive in a hands-on, fast-moving environment and want to help write the next chapter of space history as part of a close-knit, innovative team.

Agile Space Industries is seeking an experienced Senior Weld Engineer I/II onsite in Durango, CO. The Sr. Weld Engineer will serve as the technical authority for metal alloy joining processes across our propulsion systems. This role is critical in ensuring the structural integrity and stability of flight hardware operating in extreme environments.

You will bridge the gap between design and production, establishing the standards for high-reliability welding and brazing of complex aerospace components. Agile utilizes advanced additive manufacturing (AM), this role will work closely with the AM, Material & Process, and product design teams to qualify specialized joining processes for as-built microstructures and exotic alloys.

Responsibilities

• Select and qualify welding and brazing processes for new and existing designs.


• Establish and maintain enterprise welding standards and special process specifications in accordance with industry (AWS, AMS) and NASA standards.


• Participate in cross-functional design reviews to provide expertise on weld joint design, accessibility, and manufacturability.


• Define and manage weld qualification campaigns, including the development of WPS/PQR and the selection of NDE/CT techniques for verification.


• Oversee and qualify external welding subcontractors to ensure adherence to Agile’s quality and technical requirements.


• Lead root-cause analysis for manufacturing defects or test failures related to joining processes, providing dispositions for non-conformances.


• Develop detailed work instructions for internal welding operations and assembly sequences.


• Support the growth and training of welding skillsets within other engineering and technician personnel.


• Selection and deployment of welding equipment for use on flight deliverable hardware.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience development spaceflight hardware.


• Foundational knowledge of electron beam welding process and equipment


• Experience with destructive evaluation and mechanical testing of weldments.


• Experience with high temperature coatings, such as R512A and R512E.


• Familiar with fatigue and notch crack growth propagation calculations.


• Experience with bipropellant or monopropellant compatibility.


• Familiar with qualifying vendors for special processes such as welding, coating, and heat treatment.


• Experience educating other disciplines on welding methodologies.


• Experience standing up a metallurgical or weld-characterization laboratory.

This position is open across multiple levels, (Senior I, and Senior II). Final leveling will be determined based on the candidate’s experience, skills, and overall qualifications during the interview process.

Requirements

• B.S. or advanced degree in weld engineering, metallurgy, materials science, mechanical engineering, or related field


• 8+ Years of experience with product development


• Deep understanding of metal joining processes, heat treatment, and the impact of welding on microstructural properties.


• Foundational knowledge of welding processes and equipment


• Familiarity with metallurgy and heat treatment of aluminum, titanium, and refractory alloys


• Familiarity with welding of aluminum, titanium, and refractory alloys


• Proficiency with AWS D17.1 and other relevant industry standards.


• Experience with fracture mechanics, fatigue, and the physics of weld-induced deformation/stress.


• Expertise in metal heat treatment processes


• Experience with non-conformance and failure analysis disposition


• Candidate must be a US citizen or permanent resident.

The expected salary range for this role is $116,000-$192,000 annually. Final compensation will be based on factors such as experience, skills, and internal equity, and is typically made within the midrange, rather than the upper end.

Work Schedule: Full Time Exempt

Location: Durango, CO

Onsite #LI-Onsite

Posting Timeline

This position will remain open for a minimum of five (5) days and will continue to accept applications until the role is filled. Early applications are encouraged, as reviews and interviews may begin during the posting period.

What You'll Love About Us

Agile Space Industries offers exceptional benefits to support you and your family including generous health coverage, dental and vision plans, Flexible Time Off, parental leave, and a 401(k) with 100% company match up to 4%. We are committed to creating a diverse work environment and proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, region, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, or any other basis protected by law. Don’t meet every single requirement? At Agile, we are committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace. If you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t perfectly align with every qualification, we encourage you to apply anyway. You might be the perfect fit for this role or another opportunity with us.

Reasonable Accommodation

At Agile, our goal is to create an accessible and inclusive experience for all candidates applying and interviewing at Agile Space Industries. If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or the recruiting process, please submit a request to [e-mail].

Salary Description

$116,000-$192,000 annually