Welding Specialist, Special Projects

About the role

Hadrian - Manufacturing the Future Hadrian is building autonomous factories that help aerospace and defense companies manufacture rockets, satellites, jets, and ships up to 10x faster and up to 2x cheaper. By combining advanced software, robotics, and full-stack manufacturing, we are reinventing how America produces its most critical parts. We’re accelerating our mission with the launch of Factory 3 in Mesa, Arizona, a 290,000-square-foot facility creating 350 new jobs. We are expanding rapidly to support thousands of future hires, launching Hadrian Maritime to expand into naval production, and introducing a Factory-as-a-Service model that delivers complete systems instead of individual parts. Hadrian is backed by leading investors including T. Rowe Price, Lux Capital, Founders Fund, and Andreessen Horowitz, our fast-growing team is united around reindustrializing American manufacturing for the 21st century and beyond. The Role: As an integral member of Hadrian’s Special Projects division, you will work closely with the weld development team and engineering leadership on advanced R&D initiatives and customer-driven innovation. This division plays a dual role—leading moonshot engineering efforts and contributing expert guidance to new business opportunities. We are seeking a skilled Welding Specialist to help establish and scale a high-performance fabrication and automation operation. This is a hands-on, technical role designed for a welding expert who excels in precision craftsmanship, process optimization, and collaborative problem-solving. You will support manual and robotic welding operations as part of a broader mission to develop manufacturing solutions for aerospace, automotive, maritime, and defense applications. This is an opportunity to shape the future of advanced manufacturing in the U.S.—we’d be proud to have you build it with us. Your responsibilities will include, but not be limited to, the following: Perform precision welding of aluminum and steel using GMAW and GTAW processes to meet industry and project-specific standards. Interpret welding codes, blueprints, CAD models, and welding procedure specifications (WPS), including standards such as AWS D1.2. Diagnose and troubleshoot weld-related issues such as distortion, porosity, and fusion defects; develop and implement corrective actions. Support welding inspections (visual, bend, NDT prep) and collaborate with engineers and quality assurance teams on process validation and qualification. Maintain and calibrate welding equipment and support robotic, mechanized, and manual welding systems as required. What We’re Looking For: High school diploma or equivalent required; completion of trade school or technical certification preferred. Minimum 6 years of experience in welding, with demonstrated expertise in GMAW and GTAW processes. Proven ability to weld aluminum and steel with a strong understanding of weld techniques, joint design, and distortion control. Experience interpreting engineering drawings and working with part fixturing and lifting systems. Familiarity with welding in varied environments, including confined spaces, elevated work areas, and hot work conditions. What Will Set You Apart: Experience supporting or integrating robotic welding systems or automation in a production environment. Ability to interpret nondestructive testing (NDT) results such as radiographic (x-ray) data for quality analysis. Prior experience mentoring, training, or assessing the skill levels of team members in a fabrication setting. Demonstrated cross-functional collaboration skills and the ability to contribute to process improvement initiatives. Benefits 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 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 . 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.