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State Welding Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Principal Welding Engineer

Redondo Beach, CA

$37.75 - $52.25/hr

As a Principal Weld Engineer at Impulse you will help develop, qualify and optimize welding designs ... S. Departments of State, Commerce, or other applicable U.S. government agencies. Learn more about ...

Principal Welding Engineer

Redondo Beach, CA · On-site

$190K - $225K/yr

Description As a Principal Weld Engineer at Impulse you will help develop, qualify and optimize ... S. Departments of State, Commerce, or other applicable U.S. government agencies. Learn more about ...

Description As a Weld Engineer at Impulse you will help develop, qualify and optimize welding ... S. Departments of State, Commerce, or other applicable U.S. government agencies. Learn more about ...

Welding Engineer (New Grad)

Redondo Beach, CA · On-site

$37.75 - $52.25/hr

As a Weld Engineer at Impulse you will help develop, qualify and optimize welding designs and ... S. Departments of State, Commerce, or other applicable U.S. government agencies. Learn more about ...

Welding Engineer (New Grad) Department: Manufacturing Employment Type: Full Time Location: Redondo ... S. Departments of State, Commerce, or other applicable U.S. government agencies. Learn more about ...

Verify compliance with ASME, API, NBIC, Federal, state & Local regualtions. * Quality document ... Inspecting welds, reviewing welding procedures, and conducting visual and dimensional inspections

$79K - $126K/yr

Welding Opening Date: 04/24/2026 Description Two weeks prior to the deadline to submit applications ... state funding. WHO WE ARE The Santa Clarita Community District is committed to achieving ...

Certified Welding Inspector

Sacramento, CA

$30 - $40.75/hr

American Welding Society (AWS) Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) * American Society for ... Other national, regional, state, and local Materials related certifications requiring experience ...

Certified Welding Inspector

Sacramento, CA · On-site

$36 - $50.40/hr

American Welding Society (AWS) Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) * American Society for ... Other national, regional, state, and local Materials related certifications requiring experience ...

Part-time Faculty, Welding

San Marcos, CA · On-site

$75.81 - $119.20/hr

CalSTRS (California State Teachers Retirement System) * APPLE (Accumulation Program for Part-Time ... Welding. Teaching assignment(s) may include any of the curriculum approved courses within the ...

Showing results 21-40

State Welding information

See California salary details

$14

$29

$46

How much do state welding jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for state welding in California is $29.84, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $23.70 and $34.42 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by state welders working on infrastructure projects, and how can they overcome them?

State Welders working on infrastructure projects often encounter challenges such as working outdoors in varying weather conditions, adhering to strict safety and quality regulations, and coordinating with multi-disciplinary teams to meet project deadlines. To overcome these, welders should prioritize ongoing safety training, maintain clear communication with supervisors and team members, and stay updated on the latest welding techniques and standards. Building strong problem-solving skills and adaptability can also help manage unexpected site issues and ensure work is completed efficiently and safely.

What is the difference between State Welding vs Certified Welding?

AspectState WeldingCertified Welding
CredentialsState-specific licenses or certificationsNationally recognized certifications (e.g., AWS Certified Welder)
Work EnvironmentConstruction sites, manufacturing plants, repair shopsSimilar environments, often with additional certification requirements
Employer & Industry UsageState agencies, local contractors, construction companiesWelding contractors, industrial facilities, certification bodies
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding licensing requirements for state jobsSeeking recognized credentials for career advancement

State Welding typically refers to welders holding state-specific licenses required for certain projects or regions. Certified Welding involves nationally recognized certifications that validate skill levels across the industry. While both roles work in similar environments, certifications often enhance job prospects and mobility. Understanding the differences helps job seekers align their credentials with employer expectations and project requirements.

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

To thrive as a State Welder, you need strong technical skills in welding processes, blueprint reading, and metal fabrication, typically supported by a high school diploma and welding certifications such as AWS (American Welding Society) or state licensure. Familiarity with welding tools, safety equipment, and compliance with local codes and inspection systems is essential. Attention to detail, problem-solving, and effective teamwork are crucial soft skills for producing high-quality welds and maintaining safety standards. These competencies ensure structural integrity, regulatory compliance, and efficient project completion in demanding environments.

What is a state welder?

State Welders are skilled tradespeople who work for state governments or agencies, performing welding tasks on public infrastructure such as bridges, highways, government buildings, and utility systems. Their responsibilities include repairing, fabricating, and maintaining metal structures and equipment to ensure safety and functionality. State Welders must follow strict safety standards and often hold certifications that demonstrate their proficiency in various welding techniques. They may work in a variety of environments, including outdoors and in challenging conditions. The position typically requires completion of a vocational training program or apprenticeship, along with practical experience.
What are popular job titles related to State Welding jobs in California? For State Welding jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching State Welding jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for State Welding jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for State Welding jobs? Cities in California with the most State Welding job openings:
Infographic showing various State Welding job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 94% Full Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $62,072 per year, or $29.8 per hour.

Principal Welding Engineer

Impulse Space

Redondo Beach, CA

$37.75 - $52.25/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Re-posted 25 days ago


Job 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.
  • 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

  • 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

  • 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.