Lead Welding

Description:

Key Responsibilities

1. Assembly Leadership

• Lead and own the end-to-end assembly of full rocket engines, from sub component

integration to complete engine build.

• Develop and implement assembly strategies, workflows, and process

improvements for high-reliability builds.

• Define and build critical assembly infrastructure, including cleanroom facilities,

precision workbenches, welding bays, surface treatment equipment,

lifting/handling rigs, and contamination-controlled storage etc.

• Configure, commission, and own engine proof and leak test rigs, ensuring

readiness for validation campaigns.

• Coordinate with design, manufacturing, and test engineering to ensure alignment

on interfaces, schedules, and build quality.

• Establish a culture of quality, safety, and accountability on the assembly floor.

2. Advanced Welding & Metallurgy

• Oversee or directly perform GTAW/TIG and orbital welding on Inconel alloys

(625/718 or similar) for manifolds, ducts, and high-pressure components.

• Ensure weld integrity for cryogenic, high-pressure, and oxygen service

environments, including NDE (X-ray, dye penetrant, ultrasonic) and leak testing.

• Guide technicians and welders in heat treatment, joint prep, and post-weld

inspection standards.

3. Plumbing, Routing & Fluid Systems Ownership

• Own the design interpretation, assembly, and verification of plumbing and routing

for high-pressure LOX and methane lines, pneumatic/hydraulic circuits, and test

interfaces.

• Manage installation of critical aerospace connectors, flanges, and fittings (VCO,

VCR, QD/QCDC, bayonet, threaded, and orbital-weld types).

• Develop work instructions for line routing, torque sequencing, seal preparation,

and contamination control.

• Ensure proper clamping, supports, and strain-relief practices to withstand vibration
  
  and thermal cycling.
  
  • Lead proof pressure, helium leak, and pneumatic functional tests for all routed
  
  lines and assemblies.
  
  • Serve as the point of accountability for fluid system readiness in both shop and test
  
  campaigns.
• Process & Quality Control
  
  • Develop and enforce detailed assembly work instructions (AWIs), torque and seal
  
  procedures, and cleanliness standards for oxygenmethane systems.
  
  • Establish and monitor critical-to-quality (CTQ) checkpoints across welding,
  
  plumbing, and assembly.
  
  • Drive non-conformance reporting, root cause analysis, and corrective actions.
• Team & Workflow Management
  
  • Supervise a team of technicians, welders, and assembly engineers.
  
  • Plan workload distribution, daily shop floor execution, and training programs for
  
  specialized skills (welding, plumbing, instrumentation).
  
  • Foster collaboration across design, manufacturing, quality, and test teams to
  
  streamline execution.
• Tooling & Infrastructure
  
  • Define requirements and oversee implementation of assembly tooling, welding
  
  fixtures, lifting rigs, and precision routing templates.
  
  • Own development of specialized equipment including pressure test stands, leak
  
  test benches, and contamination control systems.
  
  • Ensure compliance with EHS standards for cryogenic propellants, high-pressure
  
  systems, and welding operations.
• Integration for Test
  
  • Lead engine buildup for static fire campaigns, including installation of sensors, fluid
  
  lines, and test interfaces.
  
  • Support test readiness reviews (TRR) and acceptance processes.
• Familiarity with aerospace quality systems (AS9100, NADCAP) and safety
  
  standards.
  
  • Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, iterative development environment.
  
  Key Attributes
  
  • High attention to detail with a "first-time-right" approach.
  
  • Strong leadership and mentoring skills for cross-disciplinary teams (technicians,
  
  welders, fluid systems engineers).
  
  • Comfortable with both hands-on shop floor work and structured process
  
  documentation.
  
  • Proactive problem solver under aggressive development timelines.
  
  • Passion for spaceflight and advancing propulsion technology.
  
  What We Offer
  
  Opportunity to lead the assembly of one of the world's most advanced rocket engines.
  
  A culture of innovation, technical depth, and hands-on ownership.
  
  Competitive compensation and career growth within a fast-scaling aerospace team.

Requirements:

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree (or higher) in Mechanical/Aerospace/Manufacturing

Engineering or related field.

• 8+ years' experience in Aerospace assembly, with at least 3 years in

leadership/supervisory roles.

• Hands-on expertise in welding and metallurgical practices for Inconel alloys;

experience qualifying welds to ASME/AWS aerospace standards.

• Proven ownership of plumbing and routing for cryogenic propulsion systems,

including connectors, seals, and aerospace fluid hardware.

• Experience in commissioning and operating proof pressure and leak test rigs.

• Strong knowledge of GD&T, torque/tension practices, and vibration/thermal

management for lines.