Welding Technician

The Welding Technician is responsible for the maintenance, troubleshooting, programming support, optimization, and continuous improvement of robotic welding systems and related production equipment within a Tier 1 automotive manufacturing environment.

This position plays a critical role in ensuring welding equipment operates safely, reliably, and efficiently to meet production schedules, customer requirements, quality standards, and OEE targets . The Welding Technician will work closely with Maintenance, Manufacturing Engineering, Production, Quality, and Automation teams to identify and resolve equipment issues and minimize production downtime.

Key Responsibilities Robotic Welding & Equipment Maintenance

• Maintain and troubleshoot robotic welding cells, welding robots, fixtures, positioners, conveyors, and associated automation equipment.
• Perform preventive and predictive maintenance on robotic welding systems and supporting equipment.
• Diagnose and repair mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic, and welding-related equipment issues.
• Perform routine inspection and maintenance of welding guns, tips, cables, transformers, wire feeders, weld controllers, and related components.
• Ensure robotic welding equipment is properly calibrated, maintained, and operating within established specifications.
• Support robot teach pendant operations, including basic program adjustments, touch-ups, and recovery from faults.
• Troubleshoot robot alarms, welding faults, communication issues, sensor failures, and equipment interlocks.
• Perform robotic weld cell changeovers, adjustments, and setup activities as required.
• Assist with robot programming, path adjustments, weld parameter changes, and optimization.

Troubleshooting & Production Support

• Respond promptly to equipment breakdowns and production stoppages.
• Diagnose root causes of recurring welding and automation issues and implement corrective actions.
• Minimize equipment downtime and support production in achieving daily output requirements.
• Provide technical support during start-up, shutdown, changeover, and new model launches.
• Work with Production and Quality teams to resolve welding defects and equipment-related quality issues.
• Support troubleshooting of weld quality problems such as inconsistent welds, poor penetration, spatter, burn-through, missed welds, and weld positioning issues.
• Escalate complex equipment or programming issues to Engineering, Controls, or external equipment suppliers when required.

Preventive Maintenance & Continuous Improvement

• Execute scheduled preventive maintenance according to established maintenance plans.
• Maintain accurate records of equipment inspections, repairs, downtime, and maintenance activities.
• Identify opportunities to improve equipment reliability, cycle time, safety, and overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).
• Participate in Root Cause Analysis, 5-Why, Fishbone, FMEA, and corrective action activities.
• Recommend improvements to robotic welding processes, equipment, tooling, and maintenance procedures.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives including Lean Manufacturing, TPM, Kaizen, and waste reduction.
• Assist with installation, commissioning, modification, and relocation of robotic welding equipment.

Quality & Automotive Requirements

• Ensure welding equipment and processes operate according to established customer, process, and quality specifications.
• Support compliance with IATF 16949, ISO 9001, customer-specific requirements, and internal quality procedures, as applicable.
• Work with Quality and Engineering to investigate welding-related non-conformances.
• Support weld parameter verification and process capability activities.
• Ensure equipment adjustments and repairs do not compromise product quality or customer requirements.
• Maintain appropriate documentation related to equipment maintenance, repairs, parameter changes, and process improvements.

Safety & Compliance

• Follow all company safety policies, procedures, and applicable occupational health and safety requirements.
• Perform Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures before performing maintenance or repairs.
• Ensure robotic cells, welding equipment, guarding, light curtains, safety interlocks, and emergency stops are functioning properly.
• Identify and report safety hazards and unsafe equipment conditions.
• Follow appropriate procedures for welding hazards, electrical systems, compressed air, hydraulic systems, and robotic equipment.
• Maintain a clean and organized work area in accordance with 5S standards.

Required Qualifications

• Post-secondary education in Welding Technology, Industrial Maintenance, Electrical Engineering Technology, Robotics, Automation, Mechatronics, or a related field, or equivalent industrial experience.
• Minimum [3–5] years of experience working with robotic welding equipment in an automotive or high-volume manufacturing environment.
• Hands-on experience troubleshooting robotic welding cells and automated production equipment.
• Strong understanding of welding processes, particularly resistance spot welding and/or MIG/MAG welding.
• Experience with robotic welding systems, including robot recovery, teach pendant operation, and basic programming/adjustments.
• Strong mechanical and electrical troubleshooting skills.
• Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, pneumatic diagrams, hydraulic diagrams, mechanical drawings, and welding documentation.
• Knowledge of PLC-controlled equipment and industrial automation.
• Strong problem-solving and root-cause-analysis skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced automotive production environment.
• Ability to work rotating shifts, weekends, overtime, and respond to production emergencies as required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with automotive robotic welding systems and automated assembly lines.
• Experience with FANUC, ABB, KUKA, Yaskawa/Motoman, or similar industrial robots.
• Experience with PLC systems, including Allen-Bradley/Rockwell Automation.

Swing Shift - Days and Afternoon