Senior Robotic Welding Automation Technician
hace 8 días
Grand Rapids
Job DescriptionA day in the life You start your shift by checking on a bank of robotic welding cells. A quick scan of HMI screens, a few pages of electrical prints, and you’re inside a control panel verifying I/O. A Weld Technician flags a quality concern; you dive into ladder logic, simulate the I/O, verify TCP, and make a small move adjustment offline in RoboCAD/RobotStudio. Before lunch, you’re mentoring an Automation Technician I on shimming a fixture. By afternoon, you’re tuning a gun, validating a MIG schedule per Weld Engineering direction, and coaching a Technician II through a PanelView screen replacement. You wrap with a handoff to the oncoming shift so production keeps flowing. What you’ll own • Provide hands-on production support for automated welding cells: setup, safe operation, troubleshooting, and optimization., • Mentor Automation Technician I & II and Weld Technicians; set the standard for safety, quality, and urgency., • Apply advanced troubleshooting using mechanical/electrical prints and schematics to diagnose components and circuits, including wiring harnesses, drives, relays, boards, motors, breakers, and transformers., • Modify and perform intermediate robot programming across applications: basic offline edits (RoboCAD/RobotStudio), TCP verification, I/O simulation, move creation/modification, and zone configuration., • Diagnose weld processes (drawn arc, GMAW, resistance, projection, pneumatic systems) and perform intermediate corrective actions., • Use precision tools safely at an advanced level: hand measuring tools, amp meters, welding current meters, digital force gauges, and micro-ohm meters., • Perform fixture tweaks and minor shim moves per manufacturing details with guidance from a Weld Maintenance Mechanic III or Manufacturing Engineer; apply sound shimming practices., • Intermediate PLC programming: add sensors, alter sequences, and troubleshoot via ladder logic., • Program and troubleshoot PanelView (HMI), set up/troubleshoot I/O blocks, search/cross‑reference/edit programs, load programs., • Replace/commission components (logic modules, screens), set IP addresses and system names., • Apply intermediate robot programming methods, including offline routine creation., • Load IDs, perform gun tuning, add system components (valves/I/O blocks)., • Set up/troubleshoot tool changers and external axes., • Execute intermediate weld troubleshooting and preventive maintenance on specialty equipment., • Rebuild/reload schedules and make changes directed by Weld Engineers (RAFT; Emhart DA; MIG)., • Conduct cap/electrode studies and weld validation; calibrate squeeze force on spot guns., • Troubleshoot drawn arc stud welding and perform basic programming; set up/troubleshoot projection welds., • Leverage working knowledge of the Miyachi Weld Tester.What you bring, • Fluency with job element sheets; ability to interpret mechanical/electrical prints., • Proficiency with gauges (functional, go/no‑go), hand tools, multimeters, amp/weld current meters, force gauges, and micro‑ohm meters., • Commitment to Challenge’s safety policies and procedures; strong root‑cause mindset., • Solid understanding of welding processes and automated manufacturing., • PC literacy (keyboard/mouse); Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook., • Team-first mindset, high personal standards, integrity, and reliability., • Self‑motivated, able to prioritize, receive and apply feedback, and resolve conflicts constructively., • Flex across work areas to support plant flow; work with urgency to meet customer needs., • Change‑ready outlook; treat new methods as opportunities to learn., • Clear communication with supervisors and thorough shift‑to‑shift handoffs.Qualifications, • High school diploma or equivalent., • Industrial truck and aerial platform licenses., • Excellent verbal communication skills., • Successful completion of Automation Technician II written and performance tests (required for internal and external candidates)., • Knowledge of PLC systems and intermediate programming methods., • Industrial Maintenance/Machine Repair/Electrician Journeyman certification, or a 2‑year technical degree, or equivalent work experience., • Minimum 3 years as a Weld Technician, Automation Technician, or equivalent., • Preferred: Mechatronics certificate or journeyperson card; Associate’s in mechatronics/controls/maintenance technology; at least 6 years combined education and experience in automation; strong electrical and mechanical background in industrial/automated systems.Proficiencies, • PLC troubleshooting and programming, • Electrical schematics and installation, • Troubleshooting industrial automation equipment, • Industrial robot programming, • Programming machine vision systems, • Electrical/electronic systems, • Pneumatics troubleshootingTools and technology, • Robotic welders, • PLCs (Fanuc), • Industrial robots (Fanuc, ABB)Work environment, • Ability to lift/move up to 60 lbs., • Ability to work up to 12 hours per day, including Saturday and Sunday., • Reliable attendance and ensuring coverage when absent., • Ability to understand and follow written and verbal instructions.