Master NDE Inspector - Certified Welding Inspector (CWI), First Shift

At Relativity Space, we’re building rockets to serve today’s needs and tomorrow’s breakthroughs. Our Terran R vehicle will deliver customer payloads to orbit, meeting the growing demand for launch capacity. But that’s just the start. Achieving commercial success with Terran R will unlock new opportunities to advance science, exploration, and innovation, pioneering progress that reaches beyond the known.

Joining Relativity means becoming part of something where autonomy, ownership, and impact exist at every level. Here, you're not just executing tasks; you're solving problems that haven’t been solved before, helping develop a rocket, a factory, and a business from the ground up. Whether you’re in propulsion, manufacturing, software, avionics, or a corporate function, you’ll collaborate across teams, shape decisions, and see your work come to life in record time. Relativity is a place where creativity and technical rigor go hand in hand, and your voice will help define the stories we’re writing together. Now is a unique moment in time where it’s early enough to leave your mark on the product, the process, and the culture, but far enough along that Terran R is tangible and picking up momentum. The most meaningful work of your career is waiting. Join us.

About the Team:

The Relativity Space NDE Team is dedicated to the integrity of our product while tackling the challenges of our novel manufacturing methods. We are tasked with developing and executing inspection of a huge variety of materials and components using cutting-edge industry technology. From crafting in-house processes and procedures that adhere to industry standards, to executing inspection operations, our team maintains a steadfast commitment to accuracy and reliability.

The Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) is responsible for performing detailed inspections, interpreting technical requirements, and ensuring that all welding activities and fabricated structures comply with applicable codes, standards, and engineering documentation. This role supports production, engineering, and quality teams by providing expert evaluation, guidance, and documentation throughout all phases of fabrication and welding processes.

About the Role:

• Perform internal and external inspections to verify that weldments and structures meet the acceptance criteria of applicable codes, standards, and project documents. • Read, interpret, and apply code requirements, specifications, and engineering drawings accurately and effectively.
• Use computer systems to record inspection data, document acceptance or rejection, and communicate findings.
• Conduct visual inspections of in-process and completed welds, verify welding repairs follow the applicable requirements.
• Develop welding procedures for specific code requirements.
• Oversee the testing for welding certification.
• Monitor welding processes-including GTAW, GMAW, FCAW, to confirm compliance with qualified welding procedures.
• Verify and document welder qualifications in accordance with company and code requirements.
• Confirm that base materials comply with applicable specifications.
• Evaluate joint design, joint preparation, fit-up, cleanliness, and environmental conditions prior to welding.
• Verify that preheat and interpass temperatures are maintained as per the procedure.
• Ensure proper control, storage, and handling of welding consumables.
• Verify quality of interpass and final cleaning weldments.
• Ensure product conformance to drawings, specifications, and contractual requirements.
• Confirm weld surface cleanliness and visual acceptance criteria.
• Validate proper performance and documentation of post-weld heat treatments. 
• Ensure that all fabrication and inspection activities are properly documented.
• Interpret and review engineering drawings as required for inspection tasks.
• Evaluate findings, prepare inspection reports, and communicate results to production and engineering teams.
• Perform Dye Penetrant (PT) & Magnetic Particle (MT) inspections • Conduct vendor surveillance audits related to welding, fabrication, and inspection activities as needed.

About You:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Current American Welding Society (AWS) Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) certification.
• Minimum of 10 years’ total experience as a CWI; 5 of which shall be in commercial aerospace NDE or similarly heavily regulated industry, i.e. oil and gas, nuclear, power generation, etc.
• Previously certified in accordance with ASNT TC-1A and/or NAS-410 requirements in the following methods: Dye Penetrant (PT) & Magnetic Particle (MT).

Nice to haves, but not required:

• Previously certified in accordance with ASNT TC-1A and/or NAS-410 requirements in the following methods: Dye Penetrant (PT) & Magnetic Particle (MT).
• Additional Level II Nondestructive Evaluation certifications in accordance with ASNT TC-1A, NAS-410, requirements in one or more of the following methods: Radiography (RT), Ultrasonic (UT), Eddy Current (ET).
• 3+ years of experience participating in or leading weld quality or NDE audits.
• Strong knowledge of industry standards such as AWS and ASME.
• Working knowledge of both surface and subsurface NDE methods.

Successful candidates must clear a background check administered by the US government to obtain clearance for on-site work at our government partner location in Stennis, Mississippi.

At Relativity Space, we are committed to transparency and fairness in our compensation practices. Actual compensation will be determined based on experience, qualifications, and other job-related factors.

Compensation is only one part of our total rewards package. Relativity Space offers competitive salary and equity, a generous PTO and sick leave policy, parental leave, an annual learning and development stipend, and more! To see some of the benefits & perks we offer, please visit here.

Hiring Range:

$42.64—$63.96 USD

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

If you need a reasonable accommodation, please contact us at [email protected].

Please note: Relativity Space does not accept unsolicited resumes, candidate profiles, or referrals from recruitment agencies or search firms. Any unsolicited submission - via email, our website, social media, or directly to an employee - will be deemed the property of Relativity Space, and no fee will be owed absent a current, fully executed agreement with Talent Acquisition that specifically authorizes submissions for the applicable role.