How to Become an Aerospace Welder in One Year
Your career search is finally over. You are going to become an aerospace welder. Now, how do you do it as fast as possible?
With the right steps, becoming an aerospace welder in just one year is achievable. I know this because I’ve done it myself. However, I learned a hard lesson along the way—one that cost $25,000.
This guide will walk you through the necessary steps, from education to certification, and ultimately land you your first aerospace welding job. Follow these steps, and you will become an aerospace welder in a year. Let’s get started.
Earn a High School Diploma or GED
This is step one. You need a high school diploma or GED.
You are an aerospace welding technician. You work professionally with engineers, managers, and customers like Boeing, Blue Origin, and Rocketdyne.
You cant become an aerospace welder without a high school diploma or GED. It's a testament to your foundational skills in reading, writing, and math.
In the aerospace welding industry, these skills are essential for understanding complex blueprints, following precise instructions, and accurately measuring materials. Also, you must be comfortable with basic science and know how to work with technical welding terms.
Employers view this qualification as a sign of your ability to complete tasks, follow instructions, and grasp crucial information. It also demonstrates your discipline and commitment to finishing what you start, a trait highly valued in any job, but particularly in the aerospace industry.
Graduating high school shows you have the discipline to finish tasks and meet deadlines, which is crucial in the aerospace industry, where precision and reliability are key.
Once you have this, move on to the next step.
Improve at TIG Welding
Learn and develop fundamental welding skills.
Study TIG welding. Start right now. Aerospace welding is a very technical field. You cannot become an aerospace welder without knowing your way around a TIG welding machine. Therefore, you must practice welding as soon as possible if you want to become an aerospace welder under a year.
Focus on gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW). Don’t worry about stick welding or gas metal arc welding (GMAW). Remember that completing this in one year depends on how hard you are willing to work. Proficiency in tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding techniques is essential for fabricating metallic components and structures in aerospace.
Learn Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) Fundamentals
Start with the basics. Focus on mastering fundamental TIG welding techniques.
You may be thinking: Shouldn’t I aim to learn advanced techniques if aerospace welding is challenging? No! Stick to the basics. Forget about walking the cup. Don’t bother with the fancy techniques. Instead, focus on fundamental GTAW techniques.
Strong fundamentals are key to fast learning
Basic TIG welding techniques establish the foundation for more advanced techniques. Think about learning TIG welding at home like you are learning how to play guitar. You can't just hold a guitar and play the intro to "Despacito" by Luis Fonsi and Justin Bieber. Guitar is not that easy. And neither is TIG welding! Advanced welding techniques are like combinations of simpler tasks, similar to how a guitar solo is a combination of scales.
Focus primarily on the following foundational GTAW techniques:
Mastering these three TIG welding techniques will attract the attention of the welding engineer during a welding interview.
Torch control
Filler rod technique and accuracy
Heat management
Simply focus on these three techniques. You will build upon these basic TIG welding skillsets, allowing for more advanced techniques to follow naturally.
Knowing the fundamentals allows you to identify and fix problems in your own welding. You can trace something back to a basic principle if something goes wrong. You can also perform tasks more quickly and efficiently when you understand the basics.
Learn exotic alloys used in aerospace welding
This section is optional, but it will help you understand what you'll do as an aerospace welder. Try your best to find scrap metal made from the following alloys:
625 and 718 Inconel
CP Titanium
300 Series and 17-7 Stainless Steel
4043 and 6061 Aluminum
These are common metals used in aerospace manufacturing. Move on to the next step when you are confident in your TIG welding skills.
Earn AWS D17.1 Welding Certification
Apply and take a welding certification test.
The AWS D17.1 Specification for Fusion Welding for Aerospace Applications is accredited by the American Welding Society (AWS).
AWS is a widely recognized and respected organization in the aerospace industry. Employers often prefer (sometimes require) hiring AWS-certified welders. Earning a certification can help you enter the aerospace industry even without professional TIG welding experience on your resume.
Find an Local Weld Testing Facility
Here is exactly how to do it:
Google search: [weld certification near me].
Contact the nearest testing facility. Ask if they offer an AWS D17.1 certification test. If they say yes, ask for the (1) the material type, (2) the material thickness, and (3) the welding position the test will be in.
Schedule an appointment and take the test.
By contacting a weld testing facility directly, you can bypass the need for a full welding program at a trade school. You will save time and money!
I earned my certifications through a trade school for a whopping $25,000. I wouldn't do this again if I had to start over. Instead, I would go directly to a testing facility! I could’ve saved myself thousands of dollars.
Write a Professional Welding Resume
A hiring manager reviews a resume for about 6 to 7 seconds on average.
Hiring managers do not read resumes; they scan them for key qualifications, relevant experience, and any details that match the job requirements. This brief review helps them decide whether to consider a candidate further.
Therefore, your resume must be clear, concise, and tailored to the exact job you are applying to.
Your professional welding resume must be tailored to the specific to the details of the job posting. List all of your relevant skills and nothing more!
Warning: Do not write a single welding resume then submit it to numerous welding jobs. You will be overlooked by the hiring team, making you feel frustrated by the lack of opportunities when, in reality, it's your resume!
Write an Aerospace Welding Specific Resume
Use these tips when writing your resume:
Highlight Relevant Skills
List specific skills relevant to welding in aerospace; precision, attention to detail, and cleanliness are very important. Mention the exact alloys you’ve welded in the past. And don’t forget the specific cleaning methods you’re familiar with and the specific acceptance criteria for welding discontinuities.
Focus on Quality Control
Welding in aerospace has very high expectations. Therefore, mention any experience of quality control processes, inspection methods, the importance of adhering to standards of safety. Clearly list the cleanliness requirements you use before TIG welding. And reiterate the specific standards to which you weld in order to ensure the highest level of quality.
Certifications and Training
Mention the organization that certified you (AWS, ASME, etc.) and highlight the training courses you completed. Mention the (1) welding process (2) welding position (3) material type (4) material thickness and (5) certification date. This will show the hiring manager that you know how to pass the test and understand the technical details required of you.
Use Industry Keywords
Choose keywords from the job posting so Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) have something to latch on to. Keywords such as ‘acceptance criteria, ‘cleanliness requirements,’ or ‘quality assurance’ are important.
Detail Your Education
Write your educational background. Write your degrees and other post-high school education programs here. Aerospace has always had a high value of that.
Invest in a Professional Resume
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Don’t let your resume hold you back - reach out to us today and let us help you craft a resume that opens doors to your future in aerospace!
Prepare for a Welding Interview and Weld Test
Congratulations! You have landed an interview for an aerospace welding job.
There are two parts to an aerospace welding interview: an interview and a weld test.
Follow these steps to ensure you’re ready and confident:
Preparing for Your Welding Interview
Get ready to meet with the HR manager or supervisor.
Research the Company
Take a moment to research the company you are interviewing with. Visit their website, check out their projects, values, and history, and know their specialties and clients. This will help tailor your answers to fit their needs and will impress the hiring manager!
Don’t underestimate the positive impact this will have on your interview.
As a welding engineer who conducts interviews and selects welder applicants, I am impressed by those who are knowledgeable about my company's products and mission.
Review Your Resume
Know every detail because you will be asked about your experience and skills. Be ready to mention any ongoing education or plans to further your skills, showing your commitment to growth and adaptability in the field.
Prepare Questions for the Interviewer
This is your chance to learn everything about the company before you join it, so make sure to ask any questions you have and express any concerns you have about joining the organization. Ask about the team you will be working with, the types of projects you will get involved in, and any opportunities for further training and development.
Bring Necessary Documents
Be prepared! Bring with you a copy of (1) your resume, (2) welding certifications, and (3) any other relevant documents. Organize them in a folder so you can easily present them when asked.
Prepare for Your Weld Test
This is the part where you meet with an engineer or supervisor to take a welding test. Here is what you should do:
Demonstrate Your Skills
You will perform a welding test during the interview. Be prepared to demonstrate your welding skills. Review basic techniques beforehand. Make sure you know how to properly set up the welding equipment and materials.
Show Enthusiasm
You need to show enthusiasm for the job. Make a point to show how excited you are to break into the aerospace industry! Let your passion for welding shine through. The engineers want to see that you are trainable and have a strong desire to learn and improve at GTAW.
Follow Up After the Interview
After the interview, thank the interviewer for their time and express your continued interest in the position. This polite gesture can set you apart from other candidates.
