ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Defense Welding Jobs (NOW HIRING)

BWX Technologies

Welding Engineer

Lynchburg, VA

$34.75 - $48/hr

BWXT is currently seeking a Welding Engineer for its Advanced Technologies location in Lynchburg ... S. Department of Energy (DOE) or Department of Defense (DOD) security clearance, whichever is ...

BWX Technologies

Welding Engineer

Lynchburg, VA

$34.75 - $48/hr

BWXT is currently seeking a Welding Engineer for its Advanced Technologies location in Lynchburg ... S. Department of Energy (DOE) or Department of Defense (DOD) security clearance, whichever is ...

FAIRBANKS MORSE DEFENSE

Welder - American Fan

Fairfield, OH · On-site

$19.75 - $26/hr

Fairbanks Morse Defense. What's your calling? For the men and women of Fairbanks Morse Defense it ... Assembles utilizing MIG and TIG Welding equipment as well as a plasma torch * Process parts ...

Fairbanks Morse Defense

Welder - American Fan

Fairfield, OH · On-site

$19.75 - $26/hr

Fairbanks Morse Defense. What's your calling? For the men and women of Fairbanks Morse Defense it ... Assembles utilizing MIG and TIG Welding equipment as well as a plasma torch * Process parts ...

BWX Technologies

Welding Engineer

Barberton, OH

$33.25 - $46/hr

... defense and space applications. Follow us on Twitter at @BWXTech and learn more at www.bwxt.com ... Welding Engineer - BWX Technologies, Inc. - Barberton, Ohio Responsibilities may include, but are ...

Collins Aerospace

Welder - Manufacturing

West Des Moines, IA · On-site

$18.50 - $24.50/hr

Not Required At RTX, the world's largest aerospace and defense company, 185,000 great minds are ... Demonstrate proficiency in TIG welding tasks with minimal supervision to meet quality and ...

Fairbanks Morse Defense

Welder - Manufacturing

Salem, OH · On-site

$27.65 - $38.29/hr

The company, now part of Fairbanks Morse Defense, is rapidly growing and in need of a Welder. Hunt offers a unique working environment that allows a hands-on individual to develop and grow as the ...

FAIRBANKS MORSE DEFENSE

Welder - Hiring Now

Fairfield, OH · On-site

$19.75 - $26/hr

Fairbanks Morse Defense. What's your calling? For the men and women of Fairbanks Morse Defense it ... Assembles utilizing MIG and TIG Welding equipment as well as a plasma torch * Process parts ...

BWX Technologies

Welding Engineer

Barberton, OH

$33.25 - $46/hr

... defense and space applications. Follow us on Twitter at @BWXTech and learn more at www.bwxt.com ... Welding Engineer - BWX Technologies, Inc. - Barberton, Ohio Responsibilities may include, but are ...

Collins Aerospace

Welder - Hiring Now

West Des Moines, IA · On-site

$18.50 - $24.50/hr

Not Required At RTX, the world's largest aerospace and defense company, 185,000 great minds are ... Demonstrate proficiency in TIG welding tasks with minimal supervision to meet quality and ...

Fairbanks Morse Defense

Welder

Salem, OH · On-site

$16.50 - $20/hr

The company, now part of Fairbanks Morse Defense, is rapidly growing and in need of a Welder. Hunt offers a unique working environment that allows a hands-on individual to develop and grow as the ...

Fairbanks Morse Defense

Welder

Salem, OH

$16.50 - $20/hr

The company, now part of Fairbanks Morse Defense, is rapidly growing and in need of a Welder. Hunt offers a unique working environment that allows a hands-on individual to develop and grow as the ...

Wing Group

RF Welding Operator I

Jacksonville, FL · On-site

Across defense, marine safety, law enforcement, and industrial sectors, we design and manufacture ... This role requires interpreting welding drawings and symbols to ensure accuracy and compliance in ...

Fairbanks Morse Defense

Welder

Salem, OH · On-site

$27.65 - $38.29/hr

The company, now part of Fairbanks Morse Defense, is rapidly growing and in need of a Welder. Hunt offers a unique working environment that allows a hands-on individual to develop and grow as the ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsDefense Welding Jobs

Defense Welding information

See salary details

$14

$29

$45

How much do defense welding jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 11, 2026, the average hourly pay for defense welding in the United States is $29.79, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $23.32 and $34.13 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Defense Welder, and why are they important?

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 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 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 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.
More about Defense Welding jobs
What cities are hiring for Defense Welding jobs? Cities with the most Defense Welding job openings:
What states have the most Defense Welding jobs? States with the most job openings for Defense Welding jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Defense Welding jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Defense Welding jobs are:
Defense Welding jobs near you
Infographic showing various Defense Welding job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $61,961 per year, or $29.8 per hour.
Welding Engineer, Capabilities-Los Angeles,California

Welding Engineer, Capabilities-Los Angeles,California

HADRIAN

Torrance, CA

$250K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 11 days ago

Job description

Hadrian - Manufacturing the Future
Hadrian is building autonomous factories that help aerospace and defense companies manufacture rockets, satellites, jets, and ships up to 10x faster and up to 2x cheaper. By combining advanced software, robotics, and full-stack manufacturing, we are reinventing how America produces its most critical parts.
We're accelerating our mission with the launch of Factory 3 in Mesa, Arizona, a 290,000-square-foot facility creating 350 new jobs. We are expanding rapidly to support thousands of future hires, launching Hadrian Maritime to expand into naval production, and introducing a Factory-as-a-Service model that delivers complete systems instead of individual parts.
Hadrian is backed by leading investors including T. Rowe Price, Lux Capital, Founders Fund, and Andreessen Horowitz, our fast-growing team is united around reindustrializing American manufacturing for the 21st century and beyond.
The Role
We are seeking a Welding Engineer to support the development of Hadrian's next-generation automated factory systems for mission-critical aerospace and defense components. You will work alongside a highly driven team of design, automation, and manufacturing engineers to bring welded assemblies from concept through full-rate production.
This is a hands-on, factory-integrated role requiring strong technical depth in materials and welding processes, as well as comfort operating in high pace manufacturing environments.
What You'll Do
  • Develop, qualify, and optimize welding processes including, but not limited to laser beam welding, gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW), orbital tube welding, resistance welding, gas metal arc welding (GMAW), friction stir welding, or plasma arc welding
  • Work with welding of high strength steel, stainless steel, aluminum, titanium, and other high-performance alloys
  • Collaborate closely with design, tooling, automation, and manufacturing engineers to implement new parts and welding technologies into production
  • Partner with NDE personnel to evaluate weld quality on development and production hardware, and support the implementation of advanced inspection techniques
  • Support production scale-up by creating detailed welding work instructions, defining equipment maintenance plans, and authoring Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS) and Procedure Qualification Records (PQR)
  • Ensure compliance with applicable aerospace, defense, and maritime welding standards

What We're Looking For
  • Bachelor's degree in Welding Engineering, Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field (equivalent experience considered)
  • 2+ years of experience in welding engineering or weld process development
  • Fundamental understanding of:
  • Laser beam welding, gas tungsten arc welding, orbital tube welding, resistance welding, gas metal arc welding, friction stir welding, or plasma arc welding
  • High-strength steel, stainless steel, nickel-based alloys, titanium, and aluminum alloys
  • Self-motivated with strong attention to detail
  • Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and clearly communicate status and results across a broad range of internal and external stakeholders

What Will Set You Apart
  • Experience in aerospace, defense, shipbuilding, or offshore manufacturing
  • Familiarity with standards such as:
  • AWS (e.g., D1.1, D1.2, D17.1), ASME Section IX, MIL-STD welding requirements, ABS, NAVSEA, DNV, or other maritime classification standards
  • Experience with robotic or automated welding systems
  • Exposure to NDT processes and inspection program development
  • Experience qualifying and managing external weld suppliers
  • Background in high-mix, low-volume or advanced manufacturing environments

Compensation
For this role, the target salary range is $120,000-$250,000 (actual range may vary based on experience).
This is the lowest to highest salary we reasonably and in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range, and the range may be modified in the future. An employee's pay position within the salary range will be based on several factors, including, but not limited to, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, performance, and business or organizational needs.
Benefits for Full-time Employees
  • Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans for employees
  • 401k
  • Relocation support may be provided for certain situations, based on business need.
  • Flexible vacation policy
  • Equity

ITAR Requirements
To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you 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. Learn more about the ITAR here .
Hadrian Is An Equal Opportunity Employer
It is the Company's policy to provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. The Company does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race inclusive of traits historically associated with race (including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles, such as braids, locks and twists), color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, national origin (including, in California, possession of a drivers license), ancestry, citizenship, age, physical or mental disability, height or weight, medical condition, family care status, military or veteran status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, genetic information, exercise of reproductive rights, any other basis protected by local, state, or federal laws, or any combination of the above characteristics. When necessary, the Company also makes reasonable accommodations for disabled candidates and employees, including for candidates or employees who are disabled by pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions.

Apply