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Welding Engineering Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Anduril Industries

Staff Welding Engineer

Santa Ana, CA

$37.25 - $51.25/hr

Bachelor's degree in Welding Engineering, Materials/Metallurgical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field-OR an equivalent combination of education and 7+ years of hands-on welding ...

Antares

Welding Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$112K - $150K/yr

Bachelor's degree in Welding Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical field. * 2+ years of professional experience in welding engineering ...

Anduril Industries

Staff Welding Engineer

Santa Ana, CA · On-site

$166K - $220K/yr

Bachelor's degree in Welding Engineering, Materials/Metallurgical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field-OR an equivalent combination of education and 7+ years of hands-on welding ...

Aero Bending Company

Welding Engineer

Palmdale, CA · On-site

$70K - $97K/yr

Bachelor's degree in Welding Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical field. Proven experience with stainless steel welding techniques, including TIG and ...

HADRIAN

Welding Engineer, Capabilities

Torrance, CA

$250K/yr

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 ...

SpaceX

Welding Engineer

Hawthorne, CA · On-site

$115K - $140K/yr

Support design, manufacturing, and materials engineering with root cause analysis * Work closely with design, tooling, automation, and development engineers to improve welded designs for ...

SpaceX

Welding Engineer

Hawthorne, CA · On-site

$115K - $140K/yr

Support design, manufacturing, and materials engineering with root cause analysis * Work closely with design, tooling, automation, and development engineers to improve welded designs for ...

Impulse Space

Principal Welding Engineer

Redondo Beach, CA · On-site

$190K - $225K/yr

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 ...

SpaceX

Sr. Welding Engineer

Hawthorne, CA

$135K - $190K/yr

Support design, manufacturing, and materials engineering with root cause analysis * Work closely with design, tooling, automation, and development engineers to improve welded designs for ...

SpaceX

Sr. Welding Engineer

Hawthorne, CA · On-site

$135K - $190K/yr

Support design, manufacturing, and materials engineering with root cause analysis * Work closely with design, tooling, automation, and development engineers to improve welded designs for ...

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Welding Engineering information

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$56

How much do welding engineering jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 1, 2026, the average hourly pay for welding engineering in California is $41.07, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $33.94 and $46.73 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How does a Welding Engineer typically collaborate with other departments during a project?

Welding Engineers often work closely with design, manufacturing, and quality assurance teams to ensure that welding processes meet both technical specifications and safety standards. They may participate in project meetings, review blueprints with designers to assess weldability, and coordinate with production supervisors to address real-time challenges on the shop floor. Additionally, they frequently liaise with quality inspectors to troubleshoot defects and ensure compliance with industry codes. This collaborative environment fosters strong communication skills and provides opportunities to influence various stages of product development.

What is welding engineering?

Welding engineering is a specialized field of engineering that focuses on the design, development, and application of welding processes to join materials, typically metals and alloys. Welding engineers are responsible for selecting appropriate welding methods, developing procedures, overseeing quality control, and ensuring that welded structures meet safety and performance standards. They work in industries such as manufacturing, construction, automotive, and aerospace, where the integrity of welds is critical to the product's safety and functionality.

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

To excel as a Welding Engineer, you need a solid background in materials science, metallurgy, welding processes, and typically a degree in welding engineering or a related field. Familiarity with CAD software, inspection tools, non-destructive testing methods, and certifications like Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) are highly valuable. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help you collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and ensure quality standards are met. These competencies are essential for designing safe, efficient welding solutions and maintaining high production standards in manufacturing or construction environments.

What is the difference between Welding Engineering vs Welding Technology?

AspectWelding EngineeringWelding Technology
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Welding Engineering or related field, certifications like AWS Certified Welding EngineerAssociate's or Bachelor's in Welding Technology, certifications like AWS Certified Welding Inspector
Work EnvironmentDesigning welding processes, quality control, research and developmentPerforming welding operations, inspecting welds, assisting in production
Industry UsageEngineering firms, manufacturing, aerospace, constructionManufacturing plants, fabrication shops, construction sites

Welding Engineering focuses on designing and optimizing welding processes, ensuring quality, and applying engineering principles. Welding Technology emphasizes hands-on welding, inspection, and supporting production. Both roles are essential in the industry but differ mainly in scope and responsibilities.

What are popular job titles related to Welding Engineering jobs in California? For Welding Engineering jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Welding Engineering jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Welding Engineering jobs in California are:
Welding Engineering jobs near you
Infographic showing various Welding Engineering job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $85,421 per year, or $41.1 per hour.

Staff Welding Engineer

Anduril Industries

Santa Ana, CA

$37.25 - $51.25/hr

Other

Re-posted 9 days ago

Anduril rating

9.1

Company rating: 9.1 out of 10

Anduril

Based on 17 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

7.4

Company rating compared to similar companies: 7.4 out of 10

Manufacturers average

Based on 74,658 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

ABOUT THE ROLE

Anduril's Maritime team is building the next generation of autonomous underwater and surface vehicles to give the United States and our allies a decisive advantage at sea. The Equipment team within Maritime designs, fabricates, and qualifies the tooling, fixtures, and structural assemblies that make rapid, high-quality production possible. As a Welding Engineer, you'll be the technical authority on welding processes that bring cutting-edge defense hardware to life-working shoulder-to-shoulder with Tooling Fabricators, Tool Makers, manufacturing engineers, and production leadership on the shop floor.

WHAT YOU'LL DO
  • Develop, qualify, and maintain Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS), Procedure Qualification Records (PQR), and Welder Performance Qualifications (WPQ) supporting Maritime production.
  • Ensure all welding operations meet applicable codes and standards (AWS, ASME Section IX, MIL-STD, NAVSEA) and maintain associated certification and compliance documentation.
  • Lead root-cause analysis on weld defects and failures across FCAW, GMAW, GTAW, and SAW processes, and implement corrective and preventive actions.
  • Specify appropriate base metals, filler materials, and welding techniques for thin-wall aluminum, stainless steel, titanium, and carbon steel applications.
  • Direct and interpret non-destructive testing (UT, RT, MT, PT, VT) and destructive testing to validate weld quality and procedure soundness.
  • Optimize welding parameters and fixturing to improve quality, throughput, and cost, and provide hands-on technical guidance to Tooling Fabricators and welders.
  • Drive continuous improvement by standardizing welding processes, documenting best practices, and leading initiatives that improve repeatability and efficiency across structural welding operations.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
  • Bachelor's degree in Welding Engineering, Materials/Metallurgical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field-OR an equivalent combination of education and 7+ years of hands-on welding engineering experience.
  • 10+ years of welding engineering experience in a manufacturing or industrial environment.
  • 10+ years of experience developing and qualifying WPS, PQR, and WPQ documentation.
  • Strong working knowledge of welding processes: FCAW, GMAW, GTAW, and SAW.
  • Proficiency with welding codes and standards (e.g., AWS D1.1 / D1.2 / D1.6, ASME Section IX).
  • Experience reading and interpreting engineering drawings, specifications, schematics, and diagrams.
  • Working knowledge of NDT methods (UT, RT, MT, PT, VT) and weld inspection criteria.
  • Strong root-cause analysis and problem-solving skills, with strong attention to detail and a commitment to safety.
  • Ability to lift, push, and pull up to 35 pounds frequently within an 8-hour shift.
  • Must be eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Secret security clearance.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
  • AWS Certified Welding Engineer (CWEng) or Certified Welding Inspector (CWI).
  • Experience qualifying procedures for thin-wall aluminum, stainless steel, and titanium.
  • Familiarity with defense/maritime standards (MIL-STD-1689, NAVSEA S9074-AQ-GIB-010/248).
  • Experience in a defense, aerospace, or maritime manufacturing environment.
  • Experience with robotic or automated welding systems.
  • Lean / Six Sigma certification and experience leading continuous improvement initiatives.

Working at Anduril

About Anduril, in their own words

From Anduril

As the world enters an era of strategic competition, Anduril delivers cutting-edge autonomy, AI, computer vision, sensor fusion, and networking technology to the warfighter in months, not years.

What Anduril employees say

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Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Anduril Industries logo

About Anduril Industries

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Anduril Industries is a trailblazer in the technology industry based in Costa Mesa, CA, US. Founded in 2017 by Palmer Luckey, the creator of Oculus VR, the company focuses on developing innovative technology to equip and empower those in the defense sector. Its primary products include cutting-edge autonomous systems and AI software that assist in combating threats to national and global security. The mission of Anduril Industries is to integrate technology and defense by building transformative, scalable solutions that ensure a safer world.

Industry

Guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing

Company size

501 - 1,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Costa Mesa, CA, US

Year founded

2017

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