Staff Welding Engineer

Anduril; Santa Ana (CA); On-site; USD 166,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits

Equity grants

Job summary

Anduril in Santa Ana, California is looking for a Welding Engineer to lead the development of autonomous maritime vehicles. This role requires extensive experience in welding engineering and the ability to develop and qualify welding procedures. Candidates must have a strong background in welding processes and related standards.

In addition to an engineering degree, applicants should also have significant experience in a manufacturing environment. This position offers a competitive salary range of $166,000 to $220,000 USD along with comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Welding Engineering, Materials/Metallurgical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related.
• 10+ years of welding engineering experience in a manufacturing or industrial environment.
• Expertise in developing and qualifying WPS, PQR, and WPQ documentation.

Responsibilities

• Develop, qualify, and maintain Welding Procedure Specifications for Maritime production.
• Lead root-cause analysis on weld defects and implement corrective actions.
• Specify appropriate base metals and welding techniques for various applications.

Skills

Welding engineering

Root-cause analysis

Problem-solving

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree in relevant engineering

AWS Certified Welding Engineer (CWEng) or Certified Welding Inspector (CWI)

Tools

Welding codes and standards (e.g., AWS D1.1)

NDT methods (UT, RT, MT, PT, VT)

Job description

Anduril Industries is a defense technology company with a mission to transform U.S. and allied military capabilities with advanced technology. By bringing the expertise, technology, and business model of the 21st century’s most innovative companies to the defense industry, Anduril is changing how military systems are designed, built and sold. Anduril’s family of systems is powered by Lattice OS, an AI-powered operating system that turns thousands of data streams into a realtime, 3D command and control center. As the world enters an era of strategic competition, Anduril is committed to bringing cutting‑edge autonomy, AI, computer vision, sensor fusion, and networking technology to the military in months, not years.

ABOUT THE ROLE

Anduril's Maritime team is building the next generation of autonomous underwater and surface vehicles to give the United States and our allies a decisive advantage at sea. The Equipment team within Maritime designs, fabricates, and qualifies the tooling, fixtures, and structural assemblies that make rapid, high‑quality production possible. As a Welding Engineer, you'll be the technical authority on welding processes that bring cutting‑edge defense hardware to life—working shoulder‑to‑shoulder with Tooling Fabricators, Tool Makers, manufacturing engineers, and production leadership on the shop floor.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Develop, qualify, and maintain Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS), Procedure Qualification Records (PQR), and Welder Performance Qualifications (WPQ) supporting Maritime production.
• Ensure all welding operations meet applicable codes and standards (AWS, ASME Section IX, MIL‑STD, NAVSEA) and maintain associated certification and compliance documentation.
• Lead root‑cause analysis on weld defects and failures across FCAW, GMAW, GTAW, and SAW processes, and implement corrective and preventive actions.
• Specify appropriate base metals, filler materials, and welding techniques for thin‑wall aluminum, stainless steel, titanium, and carbon steel applications.
• Direct and interpret non‑destructive testing (UT, RT, MT, PT, VT) and destructive testing to validate weld quality and procedure soundness.
• Optimize welding parameters and fixturing to improve quality, throughput, and cost, and provide hands‑on technical guidance to Tooling Fabricators and welders.
• Drive continuous improvement by standardizing welding processes, documenting best practices, and leading initiatives that improve repeatability and efficiency across structural welding operations.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Welding Engineering, Materials/Metallurgical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field—OR an equivalent combination of education and 7+ years of hands‑on welding engineering experience.
• 10+ years of welding engineering experience in a manufacturing or industrial environment.
• 10+ years of experience developing and qualifying WPS, PQR, and WPQ documentation.
• Strong working knowledge of welding processes: FCAW, GMAW, GTAW, and SAW.
• Proficiency with welding codes and standards (e.g., AWS D1.1 / D1.2 / D1.6, ASME Section IX).
• Experience reading and interpreting engineering drawings, specifications, schematics, and diagrams.
• Working knowledge of NDT methods (UT, RT, MT, PT, VT) and weld inspection criteria.
• Strong root‑cause analysis and problem‑solving skills, with strong attention to detail and a commitment to safety.
• Ability to lift, push, and pull up to 35 pounds frequently within an 8-hour shift.
• Must be eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Secret security clearance.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• AWS Certified Welding Engineer (CWEng) or Certified Welding Inspector (CWI).
• Experience qualifying procedures for thin‑wall aluminum, stainless steel, and titanium.
• Familiarity with defense/maritime standards (MIL‑STD‑1689, NAVSEA S9074‑AQ‑GIB‑010/248).
• Experience in a defense, aerospace, or maritime manufacturing environment.
• Experience with robotic or automated welding systems.
• Lean / Six Sigma certification and experience leading continuous improvement initiatives.

US Salary Range: $166,000 — $220,000 USD

The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors, inclusive of base salary only. 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 Anduril's total compensation package. Additionally, Anduril offers top‑tier benefits for full‑time employees, including:

At Anduril, we invest in our people. Our comprehensive, competitive benefits package (available at little to no cost to employees) ensures you’re supported in health, recovery, and whatever comes next. For more information, explore our benefits.