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Overview

Frontera Space, an aerospace-focused startup, is seeking a Welder II – TIG/GTAW to join the Fabrication Department within our Production Division. Founded by Firefly Aerospace founder Tom Markusic, Frontera Space is developing next-generation aircraft and spacecraft and building the manufacturing capability required to bring those systems from concept to flight.

The TIG/GTAW Welder will perform precision welding, fabrication, fit-up, and assembly of aerospace hardware, tubing, tanks, brackets, fixtures, and other welded components used across development and production programs.

This role is intended for an experienced welder with strong GTAW/TIG welding skills, particularly on stainless steel and other precision aerospace materials. Candidates may come from aerospace, aviation, automotive, industrial, pressure-vessel, high-performance fabrication, or similar environments.

The Welder will work from engineering drawings, weld symbols, procedures, and work instructions to fit, tack, and weld precision assemblies while maintaining dimensional accuracy, controlling heat input and distortion, and producing consistent, high-quality welds.

This is a full-time contractor, in-person position reporting to the Director of Fabrication at Frontera Space’s North Austin, TX facility. There is potential to convert from a contractor to a full-time, benefit eligible, team member.

What You’ll Do

· Perform GTAW/TIG welding on stainless steel and other qualified materials in accordance with approved weld procedures, drawings, and production requirements.

· Fabricate and weld aerospace tubing, tanks, brackets, manifolds, fluid-system components, fixtures, tooling, test hardware, ground-support equipment, and other precision welded assemblies.

· Read and interpret engineering drawings, fabrication drawings, weld symbols, specifications, travelers, and manufacturing work instructions.

· Perform material preparation, fit-up, alignment, tacking, welding, and post-weld finishing of precision components and assemblies.

· Set up and operate TIG welding equipment, purge systems, fixtures, positioners, clamps, grinders, saws, and other fabrication tools.

· Perform welds in multiple positions and on a range of material thicknesses, including thin-wall tubing, sheet, plate, and machined components.

· Verify material type, dimensions, joint preparation, cleanliness, fit-up, purge conditions, filler material, and weld parameters before and during fabrication.

· Maintain dimensional accuracy while controlling heat input, weld distortion, and contamination during fabrication.

· Produce welds that meet applicable aerospace workmanship standards, engineering requirements, and approved welding procedures.

· Inspect completed work for weld defects, dimensional accuracy, alignment, distortion, contamination, and overall workmanship.

· Perform blending, repair welding, and rework as required to bring fabricated assemblies into compliance.

· Support weld inspection and non-destructive inspection activities and correct fabrication discrepancies as directed.

· Maintain accurate production documentation, inspection records, weld traceability, and material traceability where required.

· Work closely with Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, Design Engineering, and Production personnel to resolve welding, fabrication, and fit-up issues.

· Identify opportunities to improve welding methods, fixtures, tooling, purge techniques, weld sequencing, quality, safety, and production efficiency.

· Maintain welding equipment, fabrication tools, fixtures, and work areas in a safe and serviceable condition.

· Follow all company safety procedures, hot-work requirements, PPE requirements, hazardous-material controls, cleanliness requirements, and manufacturing practices.

· Support prototype, development, qualification, test, ground-support, and production hardware as required.

What Success Looks Like

Success as a Welder II – TIG/GTAW means consistently producing clean, precise, repeatable welds while working safely and efficiently. The ideal candidate can interpret drawings and weld symbols, perform precision fit-up and tacking, control heat input and distortion, maintain material cleanliness, and complete welds that meet engineering, workmanship, and inspection requirements.

This role is suited for an experienced TIG welder who can take a precision fabrication assignment from drawing through completed welded assembly with limited direction. Strong performance also includes identifying fit-up, contamination, distortion, or weld-quality issues before they affect downstream assembly, testing, or vehicle integration.

Qualifications

What We’re Looking For (Requirements)

· High school diploma, GED, or equivalent technical education.

· 3+ years of TIG/GTAW welding and precision fabrication experience, or demonstrated equivalent skill.

· Strong proficiency with GTAW/TIG welding, particularly on stainless steel.

· Experience with precision fit-up, tacking, welding, and finishing of tubing, sheet, plate, and fabricated assemblies.

· Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, fabrication drawings, and welding symbols.

· Ability to perform accurate measurements using calipers, micrometers, scales, gauges, and other common fabrication and inspection tools.

· Experience controlling heat input, distortion, joint fit-up, and weld quality on precision assemblies.

· Working knowledge of joint preparation, filler selection, shielding gas, purge techniques, weld sequencing, penetration, and contamination control.

· Ability to visually inspect completed welds and identify common defects including porosity, undercut, lack of fusion, cracking, oxidation, and contamination.

· Ability to maintain material cleanliness and proper preparation throughout the welding process.

· Strong mechanical aptitude and hands-on problem-solving skills.

· Ability to safely set up and operate TIG welding equipment, purge systems, grinders, saws, fixtures, positioners, and common fabrication tools.

· Ability to follow weld procedures, written instructions, travelers, and detailed manufacturing documentation.

· Strong attention to safety, workmanship, quality, dimensional accuracy, and production schedule.

Bonus Points (Preferred)

· AWS Certified Welder, recognized apprenticeship, journeyman background, or equivalent welding certification.

· Experience welding to AWS D17.1, ASME Section IX, or other aerospace/pressure-system welding requirements.

· Experience with GTAW/TIG welding of stainless steel, including thin-wall tubing, sheet, plate, and machined components.

· Experience welding aluminum, nickel alloys, titanium, or other aerospace materials.

· Experience with pressure vessels, propellant systems, cryogenic hardware, manifolds, tubing assemblies, or other fluid-system components.

· Experience with back purging, shielding-gas control, filler selection, and contamination-sensitive welding processes.

· Experience with weld fixtures, jigs, precision fit-up, and distortion-control techniques.

· Experience performing weld repairs or rework based on inspection findings.

· Familiarity with visual weld inspection and non-destructive testing processes.

· Experience working from GD&T drawings, controlled travelers, weld procedures, and manufacturing documentation.

· Experience in aerospace, aviation, precision manufacturing, motorsports, pressure systems, or other high-quality fabrication environments.

· Experience in a high-mix, low-volume, prototype, or rapid-development manufacturing environment.

· Experience working directly with engineers to fabricate or modify one-off precision welded assemblies.

Core Competencies

· GTAW / TIG Welding

· Precision Welding & Fabrication

· Stainless Steel Welding

· Tubing & Precision Fit-Up

· Drawing & Weld Symbol Interpretation

· Weld Quality & Workmanship

· Heat Input & Distortion Control

· Material Preparation & Cleanliness

· Mechanical Aptitude

· Safety Mindset

· Quality Ownership

· Problem Solving

· Team Collaboration

· Production Discipline

· Continuous Improvement

Working Conditions

· Ability to stand, bend, reach, kneel, and work in fabrication and production environments for extended periods.

· Ability to safely lift and handle production materials and tooling within applicable company limits.

· Ability to wear required PPE, including welding helmet, gloves, protective clothing, eye/face protection, hearing protection, and respiratory protection when required.

· Work may involve exposure to heat, welding fumes, noise, sparks, gases, chemicals, and industrial equipment.

· May require occasional work outside normal business hours, including overtime, weekends, or shift work, to support production schedules and vehicle development milestones.

Export Control Eligibility

Certain positions supported by this role may involve work subject to U.S. export-control laws and regulations. Candidates for those roles may be required to meet applicable U.S. export-control eligibility requirements.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Frontera Space is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing a workplace free from discrimination and harassment and consider applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information