Welder/Fitter – Aerospace Manufacturing

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 **Welder/Fitter** will be responsible for the precision fabrication, fitting, assembly, tack welding, and welding of complex metallic components and assemblies. This position requires strong mechanical aptitude and the ability to translate engineering requirements into high-quality physical hardware. You will work from engineering drawings, weld symbols, GD&T, specifications, work instructions, weld procedures, and travelers to fabricate and assemble components while maintaining dimensional accuracy, proper fit-up, cleanliness, and traceability. The ideal candidate is a hands-on fabricator who takes ownership of their work, has strong attention to detail, and is comfortable working through manufacturing challenges in partnership with Engineering, Quality, and Production. You should be equally comfortable following established processes and helping improve them as Machina continues to develop and scale its manufacturing capabilities. ### Key Responsibilities: - Read and interpret engineering drawings, blueprints, weld symbols, GD&T, specifications, work instructions, weld procedures, and travelers. - Perform precision layout, measurement, cutting, forming, fitting, tack welding, welding, and assembly of metallic components and structures. - Fit and align components using fixtures, clamps, tooling, and other fabrication equipment while maintaining required joint gaps, orientation, alignment, and assembly geometry. - Fabricate components from sheet metal, plate, tubing, structural members, thin-wall materials, and other complex geometries. - Perform welding operations in accordance with approved procedures, specifications, and work instructions. - Work with materials including carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum, titanium, nickel alloys, and other metals used in aerospace and advanced manufacturing applications. - Set up and properly use welding equipment, fixtures, tooling, purge systems, clamps, hand tools, and fabrication equipment. - Use precision measurement and inspection equipment, including calipers, micrometers, height gauges, weld gauges, squares, and straightedges. - Verify dimensional accuracy, joint gaps, alignment, orientation, and overall assembly geometry throughout the fabrication process. - Maintain proper material cleanliness, purge practices, contamination controls, and FOD prevention requirements. - Inspect work for dimensional accuracy, fit-up, weld quality, cleanliness, and conformance to engineering and quality requirements. - Identify and troubleshoot fabrication, fit-up, dimensional, tooling, and welding issues before they result in unnecessary scrap or rework. - Recognize discrepancies between engineering requirements and the physical product and work with Engineering and Quality to determine the appropriate resolution. - Maintain accurate production, quality, inspection, and material traceability documentation within applicable digital systems, travelers, and manufacturing records. - Partner closely with Engineering, Quality, Production, and other teams to resolve manufacturing challenges and improve processes. - Support first-article builds, new product introduction, prototype builds, process development, and production ramp activities. - Contribute to the development and continuous improvement of welding, fitting, and fabrication processes. - Support robotic, automated, laser, and other advanced welding technologies as required. - Maintain tools, fixtures, equipment, and work areas in a safe, clean, organized, and serviceable condition. - Follow all applicable safety, PPE, FOD prevention, 5S/6S, quality, and controlled manufacturing requirements. - Assist with training and knowledge transfer to other welders, fitters, and production team members as appropriate. \*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. ### Required Background & Experience: - Demonstrated professional experience in welding, fitting, fabrication, or a related precision manufacturing environment. - Strong hands-on fabrication and mechanical assembly skills. - Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, weld symbols, GD&T, specifications, and manufacturing work instructions. - Ability to accurately measure, lay out, fit, align, and assemble complex components. - Experience using welding equipment, hand and power tools, fixtures, fabrication equipment, and precision measurement instruments. - Ability to consistently work within tight dimensional, alignment, and fit-up requirements. - Strong understanding of fabrication and welding fundamentals and the ability to troubleshoot problems as they arise. - High attention to detail with a strong commitment to producing quality hardware. - Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with Engineering, Quality, Production, and other teams. - Comfortable working in a fast-paced, high-mix/low-volume environment where processes and requirements may continue to evolve. - Ability to follow controlled procedures, work instructions, safety requirements, and quality standards while identifying opportunities for improvement. ### Preferred Qualifications: - Experience with GTAW (TIG) and/or GMAW (MIG) welding. - Experience with laser welding, robotic welding, or automated welding systems. - Experience supporting welding process development, troubleshooting, or production optimization. - Aerospace, defense, automotive, space, or other precision manufacturing experience. - Experience fabricating thin-wall components, complex weldments, or precision structural assemblies. - Experience working with aluminum, stainless steel, titanium, nickel alloys, and other aerospace materials. - Working knowledge of applicable AWS and ASME welding codes and standards. - Experience working to AWS D17.1 or other aerospace welding requirements. - AWS welding certification or other applicable welding qualifications. - Experience working within an AS9100 quality management system. - Familiarity with FOD prevention, material traceability, controlled documentation, and 5S/6S practices. - Experience supporting first-article builds, new product introduction, prototype-to-production transitions, or manufacturing process improvement. - Experience developing or improving fabrication procedures, work instructions, training, or standardized processes. ### Materials & Fabrication Experience: Experience working with one or more of the following materials is preferred: carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum, titanium, and nickel-based alloys. ### 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.