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Friction Stir Welding Jobs (NOW HIRING)

United Launch Alliance

Weld Engineer 1

Decatur, AL · On-site

$32 - $44/hr

Experience training and certifying technicians in friction stir welding (FSW), resistance spot welding (RSW), gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW), orbital tube welding (OTW), and laser welding.

Impulse Space

Welding Engineer (New Grad)

Redondo Beach, CA

$37.75 - $52.25/hr

As a Weld Engineer at Impulse you will help develop, qualify and optimize welding designs and processes with both laser beam, gas tungsten arc welding, friction stir welding, and orbital tube welding.

United Launch Alliance

Weld Engineer 1

Decatur, AL

$32 - $44/hr

Experience training and certifying technicians in friction stir welding (FSW), resistance spot welding (RSW), gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW), orbital tube welding (OTW), and laser welding.

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Friction Stir Welding information

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$56

How much do friction stir welding jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 28, 2026, the average hourly pay for friction stir welding in the United States is $41.61, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $34.38 and $47.36 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Friction Stir Welding job?

A Friction Stir Welding (FSW) job involves operating specialized equipment to join metal parts using a solid-state welding process. Workers in this field set up and monitor FSW machines, ensuring proper weld quality and consistency. They may also inspect materials, adjust parameters, and perform maintenance on equipment. FSW is commonly used in industries like aerospace, automotive, and shipbuilding due to its strength and efficiency.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Friction Stir Welding position, and why are they important?

To excel in Friction Stir Welding, you need a solid understanding of metallurgy, welding principles, and hands-on skills in machine operation, often backed by technical training or a welding certification. Experience with CNC machines, specialized FSW equipment, and quality assurance protocols is commonly expected. Attention to detail, problem-solving, and effective teamwork are highly valued soft skills in this role. These qualities are crucial for ensuring precise welds, maintaining workplace safety, and meeting production or engineering specifications.

What are the typical daily responsibilities for someone working in Friction Stir Welding?

Professionals in Friction Stir Welding typically spend their days setting up and operating FSW machines, preparing materials, monitoring the welding process, and performing post-weld inspections to ensure quality standards are met. They often work closely with engineers, quality control teams, and other welders to resolve technical issues and optimize welding parameters. Documentation of welding procedures and results is also a key part of the job, ensuring traceability and compliance with industry standards. This collaborative and detail-oriented environment provides opportunities to develop advanced technical skills and contribute to innovative manufacturing projects.

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Friction Stir Welding jobs near you
Infographic showing various Friction Stir Welding job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 79% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 18% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $86,554 per year, or $41.6 per hour.
Technician II - Friction Stir Welding

Technician II - Friction Stir Welding

Quantum Space

Rockville, MD • On-site

$24 - $48/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Posted 5 days ago

Job description

Quantum Space is redefining mobility and maneuverability in space. Our high-mobility spacecraft platforms support national security, civil, and commercial missions with unmatched flexibility and propulsion capability. We build fast and iterate quickly.
Who We're Looking For
We are seeking a Technician II - 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.
You will work closely with propulsion, manufacturing, mechanical, and test engineering teams to develop and refine friction stir welding processes for spacecraft propellant tanks. This is a hands-on role focused on execution, troubleshooting, hardware fabrication, and flight-critical manufacturing operations.
Where You'll Make an Impact
  • 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

What It Takes
  • High school diploma or GED
  • 3+ years of relevant experience with friction stir welding, or CNC operation and welding experience
  • 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 - Competitive salary, equity, and comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, generous leave, HSA, 401(k) matching, and equity sharing

Location: Rockville, MD or Hawthorne, CA
Hourly Range: $24 - $48/hr
The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors. Actual salary offer may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in the majority of full time offers; and are considered part of Quantum Space's total compensation package.
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.
Apply now. Join us in building the next generation of spacecraft.

Apply