Friction Stir Weld Technician III

About the role

We are seeking a Technician III – Friction Stir Welding to fabricate novel spacecraft propellant tanks. This role is ideal for a technician with several years of experience in friction stir welding or a CNC operator that has experience with welding.

Responsibilities

• Work with engineers to develop friction stir welding processes for novel spacecraft propellant tanks
• Provide manufacturing feedback to engineers to improve weld quality, repeatability, and production efficiency
• Support engineers in the development and refinement of friction stir welding processes for spacecraft propellant tanks
• Perform and own friction stir welding operations on development and flight spacecraft propellant tanks
• Assist in pressure and leak testing of spacecraft propellant tanks
• Assist in the integration of spacecraft propellant tanks into spacecraft propulsion systems

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED
• 7+ years of relevant experience with friction stir welding, or CNC operation and welding experience
• Demonstrated ability to lead small teams of technicians to accomplish tasks
• Demonstrated ability to improve processes
• Demonstrated ability to write standard operating procedures or similar documentation
• Demonstrated ability to own completion of tasks with minimal oversight
• Demonstrated ability to independently troubleshoot
• Demonstrated ability to understand drawings and CAD models

Nice-to-Have Experience

• 1+ years performing friction stir welding on spacecraft propulsion tanks or other pressure vessels
• Friction stir weld certification and/or other weld certifications
• Demonstrated experience with pressure testing and leak testing
• Demonstrated experience in machining aerospace grade parts with CNC equipment
• Demonstrated experience with the assembly, integration, and test of propulsion systems and components
• Demonstrated experience creating and interpreting CAD models and engineering drawings
• Experience with nondestructive evaluation (NDE) methods and weld inspection

What You’ll Get

• Ownership – Contribute directly to the fabrication of mission-critical spacecraft hardware
• Innovation – Support advanced manufacturing technologies enabling next-generation spacecraft mobility
• Impact – Help deliver reliable spacecraft systems supporting national security, civil, and commercial missions
• Growth – Join a cross-functional engineering and manufacturing team operating at the center of spacecraft development, integration, and mission execution

Compensation

• Technician II Maryland salary range: $80,000–$110,000
• Senior Technician Maryland salary range: $100,000–$130,000
• Equity participation opportunities and comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, generous leave, HSA, 401(k) matching, and equity participation

Additional Requirements

• To comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including ITAR, applicants must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual per 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.