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Lockheed Welder Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Production Weld Fitter

Los Angeles, CA

$22.75 - $28.50/hr

Backed by Lockheed Martin, Toyota, and NVIDIA, we're building the manufacturing infrastructure that ... The Weld Fitter will be responsible for the precise fit-up, alignment, preparation, and tack ...

WHAT WE'RE DOING At Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems, we're on a mission to drive ... welding, pipefitting, air conditioning, carpentry work and painting. • Perform periodic ...

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Lockheed Welder information

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How much do lockheed welder jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for lockheed welder in the United States is $22.26, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.75 and $24.76 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as a Lockheed Welder, you need strong welding skills, blueprint reading ability, and relevant certifications such as AWS or equivalent, often supported by vocational training or apprenticeship. Familiarity with advanced welding equipment, precision measuring tools, and safety systems is typically required. Attention to detail, steady hand-eye coordination, and effective teamwork are important soft skills in this role. These qualifications ensure high-quality, precise welds that meet strict aerospace standards for safety and reliability.

What are Lockheed welders?

Lockheed welders are skilled technicians who work for Lockheed Martin, a leading aerospace and defense company, specializing in joining metal components for aircraft, spacecraft, and other advanced systems. They use various welding techniques, such as TIG, MIG, and arc welding, to ensure strong, precise, and reliable joints in critical structures. Lockheed welders must follow strict safety and quality standards and often work with specialized materials like titanium and aluminum. Their work is essential to maintaining the structural integrity and performance of high-tech vehicles and equipment.

What is the difference between Lockheed Welder vs Boeing Welder?

AspectLockheed WelderBoeing Welder
CertificationsAWS Certified Welder, specific aerospace certificationsAWS Certified Welder, aerospace industry certifications
Work EnvironmentMilitary and defense aerospace facilitiesCommercial aircraft manufacturing plants
Industry UsagePrimarily defense and military projectsCommercial and military aircraft production
Job FocusPrecision welding of military-grade componentsWelding of commercial aircraft structures

The main difference between a Lockheed Welder and a Boeing Welder lies in their work environment and project focus. Lockheed welders typically work on military and defense aerospace components, requiring specific certifications and precision welding skills. Boeing welders focus on commercial aircraft manufacturing, with similar certification requirements but different project types. Both roles demand high-quality welding skills and aerospace industry experience, but they serve different sectors within the aerospace industry.

What are some common challenges faced by a Lockheed Welder, and how can they be addressed on the job?

Lockheed Welders often work with complex aerospace components that require precision and adherence to strict quality standards. One common challenge is ensuring weld integrity while working with lightweight or specialized alloys, which can be sensitive to heat and contaminants. To address these challenges, welders follow rigorous procedures, use advanced welding equipment, and collaborate closely with quality assurance and engineering teams. Regular training and attention to detail are essential for maintaining safety and performance standards in this high-stakes environment.
More about Lockheed Welder jobs
What cities are hiring for Lockheed Welder jobs? Cities with the most Lockheed Welder job openings:
What states have the most Lockheed Welder jobs? States with the most job openings for Lockheed Welder jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Lockheed Welder jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Lockheed Welder jobs are:
Infographic showing various Lockheed Welder job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 3% As Needed, 91% Full Time, 3% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $46,302 per year, or $22.3 per hour.
Production Weld Fitter

Production Weld Fitter

Machina Labs

Los Angeles, CA

$22.75 - $28.50/hr

Full-time

Posted 11 days ago


Job description

About Machina Labs:

Engineering moves at software speed. Manufacturing doesn't. Yet. 

Machina Labs is changing that. We build intelligent, software-defined factories that produce complex metal structures directly from digital design. By integrating advanced metal forming, robotics, and automated production inside a flexible factory architecture, we enable customers to move from prototype to production in weeks, not years. 

Backed by Lockheed Martin, Toyota, and NVIDIA, we're building the manufacturing infrastructure that defense, aerospace, and advanced mobility programs will run on. 

If you want to work on hard problems that matter and see them fly, drive, and defend, this is the place. 

Job Description:

The Weld Fitter will be responsible for the precise fit-up, alignment, preparation, and tack welding of complex metal assemblies in support of aerospace and defense production. This role will support the fabrication of tanks, structural assemblies, rings, skins, brackets, and other thin-wall components requiring tight tolerances and high-quality workmanship. 

The ideal candidate has strong hands-on experience reading engineering drawings, setting up parts in fixtures, preparing weld joints, managing fit-up tolerances, and supporting GTAW, laser welding, and robotic welding operations. Experience with aerospace-grade materials, including aluminum, stainless steel, titanium, and nickel alloys, is preferred. 

This position requires access to information controlled under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations, ITAR, or the Export Administration Regulations, EAR, so the successful candidate must meet the U.S. person requirements as defined by ITAR and EAR regulations. 

Key Responsibilities:
  • Fit, align, clamp, and tack weld thin-wall components and assemblies, including tanks, rings, skins, brackets, and structural hardware. 
  • Prepare parts and assemblies for GTAW, laser welding, and robotic welding operations in accordance with drawings, travelers, work instructions, and weld procedures. 
  • Read and interpret engineering drawings, GD&T, weld symbols, travelers, WPS documents, and inspection requirements. 
  • Perform precision layout, measurement, trimming, edge prep, and joint preparation prior to welding. 
  • Build, set up, and use fixtures, jigs, clamps, and tooling to maintain alignment and control distortion. 
  • Verify fit-up dimensions using calipers, micrometers, height gauges, weld gauges, and other precision inspection tools. 
  • Support purge setups for stainless steel, titanium, and other sensitive materials, including argon back-purge, dams, cleanliness controls, and dedicated tooling. 
  • Perform tack welding and basic weld operations as required to secure assemblies prior to final welding. 
  • Maintain strict cleanliness standards for aerospace welding, including degreasing, edge prep, dedicated brushes, and contamination control. 
  • Assist welders, manufacturing engineers, and quality personnel with first-article builds, fit-up improvements, fixture adjustments, and process refinements. 
  • Maintain accurate documentation in travelers, digital work instructions, MRP systems, and production records. 
  • Support robotic welding cell setup, fixture changeover, part loading, and basic equipment care as needed. 
  • Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work area in accordance with 5S, PPE, and shop safety requirements. 
  • Mentor junior technicians or welders on fit-up practices, cleanliness, and production discipline as needed. 
Required Background & Experience:
  • U.S. person (ITAR/EAR). 
  • High school diploma or equivalent; welding trade certificate or apprenticeship preferred.
  • 2+ years hands-on GTAW in aerospace/defense or equivalent high-spec environment.
  • Ability to qualify to AWS D17.1 (Class A/B) and pass required visual acuity tests.
  • Proficiency reading prints/GD using calipers, micrometers, height gauges, and weld gauges.
  • Demonstrated skill with thin-wall welding and distortion management.
  • Comfortable with digital travelers/MRP and disciplined documentation. 
Preferred Qualifications:
  • Experience fitting aerospace, defense, pressure vessel, tank, or structural assemblies. 
  • Experience working to AWS D17.1 or other aerospace welding requirements. 
  • Experience with aluminum, stainless steel, titanium, nickel alloys, or other aerospace-grade materials.
  • Welding trade certificate, apprenticeship, or equivalent hands-on training. 
  • Experience in an ISO 9001 or AS9100 certified manufacturing environment. 
  • Experience supporting robotic welding, laser welding, or automated manufacturing systems. 
  • Familiarity with purge setups, titanium/stainless cleanliness requirements, and contamination control. 
  • Experience supporting first-article builds, development hardware, or low-rate production. 
  • Working knowledge of lean manufacturing, 5S, and shop safety practices. 
Physical/Work Environment:
  • Ability to stand for extended periods and perform detailed hands-on work under PPE. 
  • Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. 
  • Frequent use of hand tools, clamps, fixtures, measuring equipment, and shop equipment. 
  • Occasional overtime or weekend shifts may be required based on program needs. 
 

 

*This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required for this role. Duties and responsibilities may change based on business needs.

Actual compensation will be determined based on experience, skills, qualifications, and geographic location. 
 
In addition to the provided base salary range, comprehensive benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision), PTO, and Stock Options.
Machina Labs is an Affirmative Action and Equal Employment Opportunity employer and considers all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or status as a protected veteran in accordance with state and federal law. 
 
We endeavor to make the job application process accessible to any and all users. If you have a disability that impacts your ability to complete the job application process and would like to request assistance or a reasonable accommodation, please contact us at (888)444-9777. This contact information is for accommodation requests only, not to inquire about the status of applications.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.