Sr. Automation Engineer

Description

• Maintain detailed technical documentation including robot programs, schematics, and SOPs.
• Support design-for-manufacturability efforts on new products to enable automated fabrication.
• Lead preventive maintenance schedules for robotic welding systems and controls equipment.
• Partner with mechanical engineers, manufacturing engineers, quality, and maintenance teams to ensure production readiness of automated systems.
• Write and optimize robot programs for MIG, TIG, and spot welding applications.
• Lead internal and external design reviews to verify system safety, quality, and technical alignment.
• Implement Lean and Six Sigma methodologies to drive continuous improvement in robotic welding operations.
• Lead new product introduction (NPI) ramp-ups from prototype to full-scale automated production.
• Lead automation for a rapidly growing industrial fabrication company
• Select and oversee external integrators to execute detailed design work.
• Develop capital expenditure justifications and ROI/payback analyses to support automation project funding.
• Tune welding parameters, robot paths, and cycle times to improve throughput and first-pass yield while reducing rework and scrap.
• Design, specify, and implement robotic welding cells for modular steel fabrication.
• Write project-specific performance clauses and high-level automation requirements for new system deployments.
• Ensure integration of robotics (FANUC, ABB, KUKA, Motoman, etc.), tooling, sensors, and safety systems.
• Partner with operations, manufacturing engineering, and quality to identify automation use cases that improve safety, quality, and throughput.
• Own sustaining work post-installation, ensuring stable long-term performance of robotic systems.
• Train and mentor technicians, operators, and junior engineers on robotic welding system operation, troubleshooting, and programming.
• Develop specifications for individual automation projects and create GTI-wide standards for control systems, preferred robot manufacturers, and welding equipment OEMs.
• Work with advanced robotic technology to build mission-critical infrastructure
• Develop and modify PLC/HMI logic (Allen-Bradley, Siemens, etc.) to control robotic welding cells and integrate them with conveyors, positioners, and vision systems.
• Provide hands-on support to troubleshoot automation systems and minimize downtime.
• Ensure robust communication between robots, PLCs, and peripheral equipment using Ethernet/IP or Modbus.
• Analyze production data to identify bottlenecks and quality issues.
• Lead cross-functional project teams (quality, safety, operations, manufacturing engineering, and facilities) assigned to automation initiatives.
• Coordinate installation, validation, and qualification (IQ/OQ/PQ) of automation systems with integrators and plant teams.

Requirements

• Experience with robotic simulation tools (RoboGuide, RobotStudio, etc.)
• Strong project management skills to coordinate multiple automation projects and vendor integrations
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or higher certification
• Proven success leading cross-functional automation projects and managing integrators
• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Mechatronics, or Industrial Engineering
• Strong understanding of welding processes (GMAW, GTAW, resistance spot welding) and metallurgy basics
• Effective communicator and collaborative team player with leadership experience
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and troubleshooting skills
• Knowledge of industrial safety standards (OSHA, NFPA79) and risk assessments for robotic systems
• Strong experience with PLC programming and controls integration (Allen-Bradley, Siemens, etc.)
• Experience integrating vision systems, sensors, motion control, or automated material handling
• Familiarity with CAD (SolidWorks, AutoCAD) for fixture or tooling design
• 8–10+ years of experience in manufacturing automation or controls engineering
• Hands-on experience implementing and supporting robotic welding systems
• Proficiency with industrial welding robots (FANUC, ABB, Motoman, KUKA or similar)

Benefits

• Competitive compensation and benefits

Training + Development

Interview process

Visa Sponsorship

Security clearance