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Government Welding Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Rhoads Industries

Welding Instructor

Philadelphia, PA

$50K - $64K/yr

... capabilities across commercial, government and maritime projects, all backed by ... The Welding Instructor is directly responsible in working with the training team of implementation ...

Rhoads Industries

Welding Instructor

Philadelphia, PA · On-site

$80K - $85K/yr

... government and maritime projects, all backed by state-of-the-art resources and a 100+ year legacy ... The Welding Instructor is directly responsible in working with the training team of implementation ...

Impulse Space

Welding Engineer (New Grad)

Redondo Beach, CA · On-site

$100K - $135K/yr

Welding Engineer (New Grad) Department: Manufacturing Employment Type: Full Time Location: Redondo ... S. government agencies. Learn more about the ITAR here. Impulse Space is an Equal Opportunity ...

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Government Welding information

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$24

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$56

How much do government welding jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 17, 2026, the average hourly pay for government 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.

How much do federal welders make?

Federal welders typically earn between $50,000 and $80,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and security clearance requirements. They often work on government projects that require specialized skills in welding techniques and safety standards.

What is a Government Welding job?

A Government Welding job involves performing welding work for federal, state, or local government agencies. This can include building and repairing infrastructure, military equipment, ships, pipelines, or public facilities. Government welders must often meet strict safety and certification standards, such as those set by the American Welding Society (AWS) or military specifications. These positions may provide stable employment, competitive benefits, and opportunities for career advancement.

Do welders make $100 an hour?

Welders, including those in government or industrial roles, typically earn less than $100 an hour. The average hourly wage for welders ranges from $15 to $30, with experienced or specialized welders earning higher wages, especially in high-demand sectors or with advanced certifications. Earning $100 an hour is uncommon and usually requires highly specialized skills, extensive experience, or supervisory positions.

What welding jobs pay $50 an hour?

Welding jobs that pay $50 an hour typically include pipe welders, industrial welders, and certified welders working in construction, manufacturing, or maintenance. These roles often require specialized skills, certifications such as AWS or ASME, and experience with various welding techniques like TIG or MIG. Pay rates can vary based on location, experience, and the complexity of the work.

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

To thrive in government welding, you need proficiency in various welding techniques (such as MIG, TIG, and arc welding), a strong understanding of blueprints, and relevant certifications like AWS or state-level credentials. Experience with specialized equipment, adherence to safety protocols, and familiarity with inspection standards are often required. Attention to detail, reliability, and strong teamwork are important soft skills for this role. These qualities ensure that critical infrastructure and public works meet rigorous government safety and quality standards.

What career advancement opportunities are available for welders in government positions?

Government welders can advance their careers by gaining additional certifications, specializing in areas like inspection or supervision, or pursuing roles such as lead welder, welding inspector, or welding supervisor. Many government agencies offer structured career ladders, training programs, and opportunities for further education or cross-training in related trades. Advancement can lead to greater responsibility, higher pay, and more complex projects, such as overseeing teams or working on large-scale infrastructure initiatives. By demonstrating strong technical and leadership abilities, government welders can build long-term and rewarding careers within public sector organizations.

Can you make $300,000 as a welder?

Government welders or experienced industrial welders with specialized skills, certifications, and overtime work can potentially earn $300,000 annually, especially in high-demand sectors like construction, aerospace, or energy. However, such high earnings are uncommon and typically require extensive experience, advanced certifications, and working in remote or hazardous environments. Most welders earn significantly less, with salaries varying based on location, industry, and skill level.
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Government Welding jobs near you
Infographic showing various Government Welding job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $86,554 per year, or $41.6 per hour.
Principal Welding Engineer

Principal Welding Engineer

Impulse Space

Redondo Beach, CA

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Re-posted 6 days ago

Job description

Description
As a Principal 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. This role will integral to performing weld developments on Helios' main structural tank, Deneb’s thrust chamber and preburner assemblies, and valve components across all of our vehicles. The welding engineer in this role will interface daily with design and manufacturing engineers to make welding judgment calls and improvements and will enforce standardized practices and procedures on multiple welded assemblies.
Helios is Impulse's new vehicle, a 3rd stage/kick stage. Launching in 2026, it is designed to take satellites & payloads to GEO for 1/3rd of today's current cost. Deneb is Impulse’s 15k lb thrust lox methane staged combustion engine.

Responsibilities
  • Develop, optimize, and qualify weld processes and parameters for multiple welding processes including but not limited to: laser beam welding, friction stir welding, gas tungsten arc welding, orbital tube welding.
  • Work closely with design, tooling, automation, and development engineers to improve welded designs for manufacturing
  • Develop and implement improved process control where possible using test and NDE results as feedback loop
  • Support production operations on full scale welded assemblies, providing direction to manufacturing engineers and welders on correct techniques in a fast paced manufacturing environment
  • Support on-site manufacturing and development of Helios tank, Deneb engine weldments, and Mira components.
  • Set up welding qualification test campaigns and interpret mechanical testing and NDE results
  • Work closely with NDE personnel to interpret weld quality on development and flight hardware in addition to developing and implementing innovative state-of-the-art NDE techniques
  • Set up automated welding solutions in an effort to drive process consistency
  • Scope out new welding technologies that may be employed to improve rate/quality/efficiency
  • Support design, manufacturing, and materials engineering with root cause analysis


Minimum Qualifications
  • Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline or related field 
  • 10+ years of experience with hands-on fabrication, manufacturing, or testing experience of welded assemblies


Preferred Skills and Experience
  • Master’s degree in welding engineering or related technical program
  • 8+ years' of demonstrated hands-on welding experience of aluminum, nickel-based, stainless steel, titanium, and copper alloys.
  • 8+ years' of demonstrated experience with brazing, joining, and metallographic interpretation
  • Fundamental understanding of welding processes including, but not limited to, laser beam, friction stir, gas tungsten arc, gas metal arc, electron beam, plasma arc, and resistance welding
  • Robot programming experience for automated welding solutions
  • Tooling design experience for welded assemblies to reduce part distortion and improve part consistency
  • Understanding of weld strength testing methodologies, standards, and data acquisition systems used to make informed welding decisions (ASTM E8, E399, E740, ISO 15653, AWS D17.X, AWS C7.X, thermos-couples, strain gages, etc.)
  • Experience with root cause analysis and corrective actions including, but not limited to, optical and SEM fractography/metallography, hardness, chemical analysis, and mechanical testing
  • Self-motivated, driven and high attention to detail

Additional Information:
Compensation bands are determined by role, level, location, and alignment with market data. Individual level and base pay is determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on job-related skills, education, experience, technical capabilities and internal equity. In addition to base salary, for full-time hires, you may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of stock options, and access to medical, vision & dental coverage as well as access to a 401(k) retirement plan.

Impulse Space’s spacecraft manufacturing business is subject to U.S. export regulations including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR). This position requires applicants to be either U.S. Persons (i.e., U.S. citizen, U.S. national, lawful permanent U.S. resident (green card holder), an individual granted asylum in the U.S., or an individual admitted in U.S. refugee status) or persons eligible to obtain an export license from the U.S. Departments of State, Commerce, or other applicable U.S. government agencies. Learn more about the ITAR here.  
Impulse Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Impulse Space is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.