Orbital Tube Welder II-Day Shift

About Firefly Aerospace

Firefly Aerospace is an end‑to‑end responsive space company on a mission to enable the world to launch, land, and operate in space – anywhere, anytime. Its small‑ to medium‑lift launch vehicles, lunar landers, and orbital vehicles service the entire lifecycle of government and commercial missions from low Earth orbit to the Moon and beyond. The company utilizes carbon composite structures, patented propulsion technologies, and common components across its vehicles to iterate quickly, improve reliability, and deliver payloads at lower cost.

Summary

The Orbital Welders work closely with fluid systems engineers in the Tube Fabrication Shop to ensure the building process follows written instructions. The role primarily involves fabricating complex fluid‑system assemblies. Positions are available for a range of experience levels from mid‑level to highly experienced. This position is located at the rocket production facility in Briggs, TX.

Responsibilities

• Fabricate, bend, face, fit, tack and weld propulsion tubing assemblies.
• Cut, prepare, and clean tubing and fittings prior to welding.
• Perform orbital welds that meet AWS D17.1 and internal aerospace quality standards.
• Independently set up, operate, and maintain orbital welding equipment in accordance with qualified procedures.
• Execute qualified weld schedules for a range of materials and tube sizes.
• Perform visual and borescope inspections of welds and internal tube surfaces.
• Work from approved 2D/3D drawings, models, and engineering documentation.
• Coordinate with engineering and quality teams to resolve fabrication or inspection issues.
• Safely work with hazardous materials and high‑pressure systems.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and controlled work environment.

Physical Requirements & Work Schedule

• Ability to work all shifts, including overtime and/or weekends as required.
• 1st Shift: 7:00 AM – 3:30 PM, with overtime as necessary to meet company needs.
• Ability to lift up to 25 lb unassisted.
• Ability to stand for extended periods (minimum 8 hours).
• Ability to stoop, bend, crawl, and maneuver in confined or tight spaces.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 1 year of hands‑on orbital welding experience.
• Demonstrated ability to perform orbital welding independently without supervision.
• Strong manual GTAW welding skills, including hand fitting and tack welding.
• Proven ability to hand‑bend and face tubing lines to specification.
• Experience welding to AWS D17.1 or equivalent aerospace standards.
• Ability to read and interpret aerospace 2D and 3D drawings.
• Experience performing visual and borescope inspections.
• Proficiency with fabrication shop equipment (band saws, grinders, sanders, drills, etc.).
• Experience using precision measurement tools (calipers, height gauges, scales, etc.).
• Strong attention to detail, workmanship, and cleanliness.

Desired:

• 3+ years of hands‑on orbital welding experience.
• Experience with propulsion or high‑pressure fluid systems.
• Prior experience supporting aerospace flight hardware or test systems.
• Certification from an orbital welding training program.
• AWS D17.1 GTAW welding certification.
• Familiarity with aerospace fittings such as AN and NPT.
• Experience cleaning tubing systems to aerospace or medical cleanliness standards.
• Experience inspecting tube assemblies using vector measuring machines.

Benefits

• Generous health, dental, and vision plans with low deductibles.
• Parental leave.
• Educational reimbursement.
• Short‑term disability.
• Flexible PTO options.

Eligibility

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), candidates must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.