Expert Machine Builder

Axis Automation; Grand Rapids (MI); On-site; USD 40,000 - 47,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits package with no waiting

No waiting period for benefits

Job summary

Axis Automation is seeking an Expert Machine Builder to lead the most demanding, tight-tolerance builds on the shop floor. The role requires independent work, deep mechanical expertise, and the ability to mentor others while interfacing with engineers.

Travel to domestic and international customer sites is expected, with a strong emphasis on safety and quality. Compensation ranges reflect seasoned fabrication and robotics integration skills.

Qualifications

• Education: High school diploma or equivalent; vocational or technical training valued.
• Experience: Minimum of 8 years building custom industrial equipment or machines with mastery of complex mechanical assemblies, pneumatics, debug, FAT/SAT, and robotic integration.
• Technical Skills: mechanical assembly mastery across projects; pneumatics design and troubleshooting; GD&T reading; shop tooling mastery; mechanical debugging; FAT/SAT; robotics integration; safety practices.

Responsibilities

• Owns the most demanding builds with tight tolerances and novel mechanisms.
• Works solo or with one junior builder; capable of completing projects independently.
• Acts as go-to technical resource for difficult mechanical problems on the shop floor.
• Leads root-cause analysis and proposes systemic fixes.
• Contributes to build standards, fixturing, and documents techniques for team adoption.
• Mentors builders through coaching and demonstrations.
• Interfaces with mechanical and controls engineers; influences design decisions.
• Represents Axis on customer site visits, FAT/SAT events and runoffs.
• Operates all shop equipment with mastery and proposes tooling improvements.
• Follows LOTO and safety procedures; serves as safety standard-bearer.
• Regular lifting of objects 50 lbs+; travel to client sites including international trips.

Skills

Mechanical assembly

Pneumatics

Print reading & GD&T

Shop tooling

Mechanical debugging

FAT/SAT

Robotics integration

Safety leadership

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Position Overview:

The Expert Machine Builder is the department's pinnacle technical individual contributor. This builder takes on the most demanding builds - tight tolerances, novel mechanisms, prototype and R&D work, and the cells that require the deepest technical experience - typically working solo or with one junior builder for support. The Expert Machine Builder contributes to build standards, and serves as the go-to technical resource for difficult mechanical problems. Approximately three-quarters of all time is spent in hands-on build, debug, and complex problem-solving. This position reports directly to the Build Manager.

Key Responsibilities:

• Owns the most demanding builds at Axis: tight-tolerance assemblies, novel mechanisms, and cells with technical complexity
• Works solo or with one junior builder for support; capable of executing complete projects independently
• Serves as the go-to technical resource for difficult mechanical problems anywhere on the build floor
• Leads root cause analysis on the most complex mechanical issues and proposes systemic fixes
• Contributes to build standards, fixturing approaches, and tribal knowledge; documents techniques for team-wide adoption
• Mentors machine builders on advanced techniques through hand-on coaching and demonstration
• Interfaces directly with mechanical and controls engineers and influences design decisions
• Represents Axis professionally on the most technically demanding customer site visits, FAT/SAT events, and runoffs
• Operates all shop equipment with mastery; proposes shop tooling improvements
• Follows LOTO and shop safety procedures; serves as a safety standard-bearer
• Regular lifting of objects 50 lbs or more
• Travels to customer sites for installation support, including domestic and international destinations
• Sets the bar for quality and craftsmanship; makes high-leverage, frugal decisions
• Champion our Operating Principles: You will be expected to actively embody and uphold our ten Operating Principles, which guide our every action and decision at Axis Automation. These principles are key to our culture and success.

Qualifications:

• Education: High school diploma or equivalent required. Vocational or technical training valued.
• Experience: Minimum of 8 years building custom industrial equipment or machines, with proven mastery of complex mechanical assemblies, pneumatics, debug, FAT/SAT, and robotic integration.
• Technical Skills:
  • Mechanical Assembly: Highest-level mastery of complex mechanical builds across all project types; can take on builds nobody else can crack.
  • Pneumatics: Install, routing, troubleshooting, and design contribution.
  • Print Reading & GD&T: Highest-level fluency; redlines drive systemic design improvements.
  • Shop Tools: Mastery of all standard shop equipment; proposes new tooling and methods.
  • Mechanical Debug: Recognized expert; "go-to" for the most difficult mechanical and integration problems at Axis.
  • FAT/SAT: Leads on the most complex acceptance tests; ensures right-the-first-time quality.
  • Robotics Integration: Deep familiarity with multiple robotic platforms; contributes to integration best practices.
  • Safety: Master-level LOTO and robotic cell safety practice; safety standard-bearer for the team.
• Leadership: Documented track record of mentoring, internal coaching, and elevating departmental craftsmanship through continuous improvement initiatives. Does not own people management.
• Communication: Communicates clearly with project teams, peers, cross-functional groups, customers, and suppliers; regarded as an all-around resource for anyone interacting with Axis Automation on build matters.
• Problem-Solving: Go-to expert for troubleshooting across mechanical assemblies, pneumatics, robotic integration.
• Teamwork: Models collaborative behavior by proactively sharing knowledge, supporting colleagues during crunch periods.
• Reliability: Demonstrates reliability through hand-offs, on-time delivery, and adherence to the highest standards.
• Travel: Willingness to travel approximately 20% (roughly 10 weeks per year, in waves), including domestic and international destinations such as Mexico. Valid passport required (or willingness to obtain). Valid driver’s license required.
• Tools: Builders are expected to use their own tools and box; hand tools, specialty and shop equipment provided by Axis.

Benefits:

Axis offers a comprehensive benefits package with no waiting period.

Wage Range:

$29.00 - $34.00/hour withthe opportunity for overtime and travel pay.