Welding Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Hadrian - Manufacturing the Future
Hadrian is building autonomous factories to reindustrialize America. By combining AI, advanced software, robotics, and full-stack manufacturing, we help aerospace and defense companies build rockets, satellites, aircraft, ships, and other mission-critical systems up to 10x faster and at significantly lower cost.
Following our $1.37B Series D at a $7.87B valuation, Hadrian is rapidly expanding our manufacturing footprint, launching new capabilities across welding, casting, forging, electronics, additive manufacturing, and more, while scaling our Factory-as-a-Service platform to transform how critical products are built.
Backed by leading investors including JPMorgan Chase, Valor Equity Partners, Andreessen Horowitz, Founders Fund, 137 Ventures, Lux Capital, T. Rowe Price, and Morgan Stanley, we're building the future of American manufacturing-and looking for exceptional people to help make it happen.
If you're ready to take on the most challenging and rewarding work of your career while helping create American manufacturing jobs for generations to come, you're exactly who we're looking for.
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 .
Use of AI in hiring
Hadrian uses AI-assisted tools in our recruiting and hiring processes to help our team work more efficiently. This may include tools that help organize and analyze recruiting data, as well as an AI-powered notetaker that can record and transcribe interviews and help coordinate feedback. These tools support our team and are not used to make hiring decisions. All candidate evaluations and hiring decisions are performed by humans. If an interview will be recorded, you will be notified in advance and may opt out at any time with no impact on your candidacy. Candidate data processed through these tools is subject to the same protections described in our Privacy Policy .
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.