# L4 Staff Welder

**Company**: Shield AI
**Work arrangement**: onsite
**Experience**: senior
**Job type**: full-time
**Salary**: Pay within range listed + Bonus + Benefits + Equity
**Category**: Manufacturing
**Industry**: Defense

**Apply**: https://jobs.lever.co/shieldai/dec31d94-a0bc-4b0b-b18d-046019253c47?utm_source=yubhub.co&utm_medium=jobs_feed&utm_campaign=apply
**Canonical**: https://yubhub.co/jobs/job_7700e1ea-fb7

## Description

The L4 Staff Welder is a senior-level fabrication specialist responsible for precision welding, prototype development, and low-volume aerospace hardware fabrication in a fast-paced R&D and prototype manufacturing environment.

This role supports engineering teams in building flight-critical and mission-critical components using advanced welding techniques and aerospace-grade materials.

Responsibilities:

- Perform precision TIG/GTAW welding on aerospace materials including stainless steel, aluminum, titanium, Inconel.

- Fabricate prototype assemblies, fixtures, tooling, and development hardware from engineering drawings, CAD models, and sketches.

- Read and interpret blueprints, welding symbols, and GD&T requirements.

- Work closely with design, manufacturing, and test engineers to iterate prototype designs rapidly.

- Execute welds capable of meeting aerospace inspection standards including dye penetrant, leak testing, and X-ray inspection where required.

- Set up and operate welding and fabrication equipment including TIG welders, orbital welders, saws, grinders, positioners, and fixturing tools.

- Inspect completed welds for dimensional accuracy, penetration, distortion, and cosmetic quality.

- Repair weld defects and recommend process improvements to improve manufacturability and repeatability.

- Support development and qualification of welding procedures and work instructions.

- Maintain compliance with AS9100, AWS, OSHA, and internal quality standards.

- Mentor junior welders and assist in establishing best practices within the fabrication shop.

- Document fabrication activities, process notes, and prototype deviations accurately.

Required qualifications:

- High school diploma or GED required; technical welding certification preferred.

- 8+ years of precision welding experience in aerospace, motorsports, defense, or prototype manufacturing environments.

- Expert-level TIG/GTAW welding proficiency.

- Experience welding thin-wall tubing and precision assemblies.

- Ability to pass aerospace weld qualification tests in multiple positions and materials.

- Strong understanding of metallurgy, weld distortion control, heat management, and fixturing.

- Ability to read complex engineering drawings and GD&T.

- Experience with aerospace inspection requirements and quality systems.

- Strong communication and collaboration skills in cross-functional engineering environments.

Preferred qualifications:

- AWS D17.1 or equivalent aerospace welding certification.

- Experience with pressure vessels, propulsion systems, fluid systems, or flight hardware.

- Familiarity with vacuum, leak-check, or clean-room fabrication requirements.

- Fabrication or machining familiarity.

- Experience in prototype or R&D environments supporting rapid iteration cycles.

- Ability to support design-for-manufacturing feedback during product development.

Physical requirements:

- Ability to stand for extended periods and lift up to 50 lbs.

- Comfortable working around welding fumes, heat, and fabrication equipment while using PPE.

- Manual dexterity and visual acuity for precision weld work.

Work environment:

- This position operates within a prototype aerospace fabrication shop supporting rapid development programs. Work may involve quick-turn engineering changes, low-volume production, and high-precision hardware fabrication under tight schedules.

## Skills

### Required
- TIG/GTAW welding
- precision welding
- aerospace materials
- blueprint interpretation
- GD&T
- AS9100
- AWS
- OSHA

### Nice to have
- AWS D17.1
- pressure vessels
- propulsion systems
- fluid systems
- flight hardware
- vacuum fabrication
- leak-check fabrication
- clean-room fabrication
- machining

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Source: [Apply at jobs.lever.co](https://jobs.lever.co/shieldai/dec31d94-a0bc-4b0b-b18d-046019253c47?utm_source=yubhub.co&utm_medium=jobs_feed&utm_campaign=apply)