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Defense Welding Jobs in Texas (NOW HIRING)

Senior Welding Engineer

Austin, TX · On-site

$35.50 - $48.75/hr

... (aerospace, defense) * Hands-on fabrication ability - picking up a torch and demonstrating ... welding procedures few U.S. engineers have touched outside national labs, qualify laser and ...

Welding Trainee

Houston, TX · On-site

$20 - $25.25/hr

Set up equipment and weld parts using manual and automatic GTAW. * Perform welding in accordance ... We also use applied technology expertise to serve the defense, material handling, aerospace ...

Experience in heavy fabrication or defense manufacturing. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Understanding of welding procedures (WPS/PQR). Ability to troubleshoot robotic welding systems. Excellent ...

High school diploma or GED required; technical welding certification preferred. * 8+ years of precision welding experience in aerospace, motorsports, defense, or prototype manufacturing environments.

High school diploma or GED required; technical welding certification preferred. * 8+ years of precision welding experience in aerospace, motorsports, defense, or prototype manufacturing environments.

High school diploma or GED required; technical welding certification preferred. * 8+ years of precision welding experience in aerospace, motorsports, defense, or prototype manufacturing environments.

Welder II - 2nd Shift (Onsite)

San Marcos, TX

$18 - $21.75/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Join us and help shape the future of aerospace and defense. The focus of this role is to perform advanced welding operations with limited supervision, ensuring precision and adherence to established ...

Welder II - 2nd Shift (Onsite)

San Marcos, TX · On-site

$18 - $21.75/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Join us and help shape the future of aerospace and defense. The focus of this role is to perform advanced welding operations with limited supervision, ensuring precision and adherence to established ...

Welder II - 2nd Shift (Onsite)

San Marcos, TX · On-site

$19 - $23/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Join us and help shape the future of aerospace and defense. The focus of this role is to perform advanced welding operations with limited supervision, ensuring precision and adherence to established ...

Welder II - 2nd Shift (Onsite)

San Marcos, TX

$18 - $21.75/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Join us and help shape the future of aerospace and defense. The focus of this role is to perform advanced welding operations with limited supervision, ensuring precision and adherence to established ...

Welder II - 2nd Shift (Onsite)

San Marcos, TX

$19 - $23/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Join us and help shape the future of aerospace and defense. The focus of this role is to perform advanced welding operations with limited supervision, ensuring precision and adherence to established ...

Welder / Iron Worker (Field)

Sealy, TX · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

This role offers the opportunity to work on specialized aerospace and defense infrastructure projects while utilizing and expanding your welding, fabrication, and structural steel expertise in a ...

Welder / Iron Worker (Field)

Sealy, TX

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

This role offers the opportunity to work on specialized aerospace and defense infrastructure projects while utilizing and expanding your welding, fabrication, and structural steel expertise in a ...

Welder / Iron Worker (Field)

Sealy, TX · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

This role offers the opportunity to work on specialized aerospace and defense infrastructure projects while utilizing and expanding your welding, fabrication, and structural steel expertise in a ...

Welder

Fort Worth, TX

$18.75 - $24.75/hr

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... welding operations on numerous types of alloys. Essner is seeking a skilled welder to perform ... and defense industries. We offer competitive benefits, 401K, PTO, flexible holiday policy and ...

Welder

Fort Worth, TX · On-site

$18.75 - $24.75/hr

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... welding operations on numerous types of alloys. Essner is seeking a skilled welder to perform ... and defense industries. We offer competitive benefits, 401K, PTO, flexible holiday policy and ...

Welder II - 2nd Shift (Onsite)-San Marcos,Texas

Seguin, TX

$17.50 - $21.25/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Join us and help shape the future of aerospace and defense. The focus of this role is to perform advanced welding operations with limited supervision, ensuring precision and adherence to established ...

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Defense Welding information

What is defense welding?

Defense welding refers to the specialized welding processes and techniques used in the defense industry to fabricate, repair, and maintain military equipment, vehicles, and infrastructure. This includes working on tanks, ships, aircraft, and other defense-related hardware, often requiring compliance with strict government and military standards. Defense welders must be skilled in various welding methods and familiar with materials like high-strength alloys and armor plating. Security clearance and specialized training are often required due to the sensitive nature of the work.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a defense welder?

To thrive as a Defense Welder, you need proficiency in welding techniques (such as MIG, TIG, and arc welding), blueprint reading, and a relevant welding certification or vocational training. Familiarity with specialized welding equipment, military-grade materials, and standards like AWS or DoD specifications is typically required. Attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and a strong focus on safety help individuals stand out in this field. These skills ensure the structural integrity and reliability of defense equipment, which is critical for national security and mission success.

What are the typical security and compliance requirements for welders working in the defense industry?

Welders in the defense industry must often adhere to strict security clearances and compliance standards due to the sensitive nature of the projects involved. This commonly includes passing background checks, following ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulations), and working in secure facilities where safety and confidentiality protocols are rigorously enforced. Additionally, welders may need to maintain certifications specific to military or government standards and participate in regular training to stay current with evolving regulations. Understanding and following these requirements is essential for career success and advancement in defense welding roles.

What is the difference between Defense Welding vs Structural Welder?

AspectDefense WeldingStructural Welder
CertificationsWelding certifications (e.g., AWS)Welding certifications (e.g., AWS)
Work EnvironmentMilitary facilities, defense contractorsConstruction sites, bridges, buildings
Industry UsageDefense, aerospace, military equipmentConstruction, infrastructure, commercial projects
Job FocusSpecialized welding for defense applicationsGeneral structural welding for buildings and infrastructure

Defense Welding and Structural Welder roles both require welding certifications and involve metal fabrication. However, Defense Welding focuses on military and defense-related projects, often in specialized environments, while Structural Welders work primarily on construction and infrastructure projects. The skills overlap, but the work settings and project types differ significantly.

What are popular job titles related to Defense Welding jobs in Texas?

For Defense Welding jobs in Texas, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities in Texas are hiring for Defense Welding jobs?

Cities in Texas with the most Defense Welding job openings:

Infographic showing various Defense Welding job openings in Texas as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, 5% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution.

Full-time

Posted 27 days ago


Oceaneering rating

6.8

Company rating: 6.8 out of 10

Based on 22 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

367th of 490 rated machine equipment manufacturers


Job description

The primary role of this position is to perform manual and automatic gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) in the fabrication, assembly, repair and maintenance of primarily small bore stainless steel tubing and other varied manufactured components as needed.  

Location 

  • Requires daily onsite attendance; this is not a remote-work position.

Oceaneering is a global provider of engineered services and products, primarily to the offshore energy industry. We develop products and services for use throughout the lifecycle of an offshore oilfield, from drilling to decommissioning. We operate the world's premier fleet of work class ROVs. Additionally, we are a leader in offshore oilfield maintenance services, umbilicals, subsea hardware, and tooling. We also use applied technology expertise to serve the defense, material handling, aerospace, science, and renewable energy industries.
Equal Opportunity Employer: 
All qualified candidates will receive consideration for all positions without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or other non-merit factor.

REQUIRED

  • Basic computer skills with Microsoft 365 or similar software.

  • Basic knowledge of air tools and grinders.

  • Ability to read a tape measure 
     

      Desired

  • Ability to pass automatic GTAW welder performance qualification test on small bore stainless steel tubing.

  • Knowledge and understanding of GTAW manual and automatic welding equipment, including power supply, welding torch, gas equipment, and hand tools.

  • Experience welding ferrous materials.

  • Experience with Swagelok autogenous welding

Working Conditions

This position is considered SHOP/INDOOR WORK which is characterized as follows. 

  • Primarily indoors during the day and occasionally at night.

  • Frequently working on or near moving equipment and vibrating equipment. 

  • When outdoors, humidity is frequently above 90%

  • Noise is over 85 decibels.

  • Light is intense/glare. 

  • Occasional exposure to open fire/flames/sparks.
  • Frequent exposure to airborne dust, fumes, and gases. 


Physical Activity/Requirements 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This position is considered MEDIUM work.

OCCASIONAL

FREQUENT

CONSTANT

  • Lift 20-50 pounds
  • Work in confined spaces, kneel, jump, run, work while lying on stomach/back, crawl, and use repetitive movements of the arms and hands. 
  • Identify color differences 
  • Wear PPE for skin protection
  • Lift 10-25 pounds
  • Climb stairs/ladders, stand, balance, stoop, squat, reach, and lift/carry objects
  • Twist body, sit with back supported, head forward/flexed, head tilted/rotated, and work with arms extended overhead.
  • Operate a motor vehicle
  • Operate a motor vehicle
  • Lift up to 10 pounds
  • Wear PPE protection for body, vision, and hearing protection
  • Steel/safety toed shoes/boots
  

Functions

ESSENTIAL

  • Select equipment and plan layout, assembly, and welding.
  • Set up equipment and weld parts using manual and automatic GTAW.
  • Perform welding in accordance with approved welding procedures.
  • Lay out, position, align, and fit components together in accordance with Engineering provided drawings or schematics.
  • Bolt, clamp, and tack-weld parts to secure in position for welding.
  • Assemble parts by bolting and riveting. 
  • Repair products by dismantling, straightening, reshaping, and reassembling parts.
  • Handle both ferrous and non ferrous materials.
  • Cleaning welds - Acetone and buffing.

ADDITIONAL
Other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities
 

  • This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Reporting Relationship

  • Reports to Welding Supervisor


What Oceaneering employees say

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