Robotic Weld Engineer

Standard Iron & Metal Co.; Town of Hartford (WI); On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Standard Iron in Hartford, WI is seeking a Robotic Welding Engineer to design, program, and optimize automated welding cells, primarily ABB robots, to boost productivity and quality.

You will lead process improvements, troubleshoot complex cells, review fixtures, and ensure compliance with AWS D1.1 and related standards while mentoring operators.

The ideal candidate has 3–5+ years of robotics welding experience in heavy manufacturing or structural steel.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Welding, Mechanical, or Automation/Robotics Engineering preferred.
• Associate degree with equivalent hands-on industrial experience considered.

Responsibilities

• Program and clone paths for multi-axis ABB systems using teach pendants and Offline Programming software.
• Tune arc parameters, travel angles, speeds, voltage and wire feed to ensure integrity and reduce cycle times.
• Calibrate sensors and guidance systems (TAST, touch sensing, laser/vision).
• Lead commissioning of new robotic weld cells from design through production launch.
• Review fixtures and define specs for robotic arms, power sources, positioners, and safety enclosures.
• Diagnose defects and maintain TCP standards; ensure compliance with AWS D1.1/D1.3.

Skills

ABB robot programming

GMAW/MIG

FCAW/TIG welding

CAD software

RobotStudio/RoboGuide

process optimization

TCP calibration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Welding, Mechanical, or Automation/Robotics Engineering

Associate degree with hands-on experience

Tools

ABB robots

RobotStudio

RoboGuide

SolidWorks

AutoCAD

CREO

Job description

Robotic Welding Engineer

Company: Standard Iron

Reports To: Engineering Manager

Location: Hartford Wiscosnin (With occasional travel to other plants)

Company Overview

At Standard Iron, we provide top-tier contract manufacturing and fabrication solutions. We pride ourselves on safety, quality, and production efficiency. We are looking for an experienced Robotic Welding Engineer to drive our automated production systems forward.

Position Summary

The Robotic Welding Engineer bridges the gap between weld metallurgy, advanced robotics programming, and production floor efficiency. You will design, develop, integrate, and optimize automated and robotic welding systems. This role leads process improvement initiatives, troubleshoots complex cells, collaborates on fixture design, and ensures compliance with strict AWS quality standards.

Key Responsibilities

Robotic Programming & Optimization

• Program Systems: Program and clone paths for multi-axis systems (primarily ABB) using teach pendants and Offline Programming (OLP) software.
• Tune Parameters: Adjust arc parameters, travel angles, travel speeds, voltage, and wire feed speeds to ensure structural integrity and reduce cycle times.
• Calibrate Sensors: Implement and calibrate Thru-Arc Seam Tracking (TAST), touch sensing, and laser/vision guidance systems.

Tooling, Fixture & Cell Design Review

• Review Fixtures: Partner with Tooling Engineers to review fixture designs for part repeatability and torch joint access.
• Specify Equipment: Define technical specs for new robotic arms, power sources, positioners, reamers, and safety enclosures.
• Manage Integration: Lead commissioning of new robotic weld cells from initial design through production launch.

Quality Control & Troubleshooting

• Solve Defects: Diagnose mechanical, electrical, and programming faults to resolve issues like porosity, undercut, and lack of fusion.
• Maintain Calibration: Manage Tool Center Point (TCP) standards and develop recovery protocols to minimize downtime.
• Ensure Compliance: Execute weld macro-examinations to guarantee alignment with AWS D1.1, D1.3, or customer-specific standards.

Continuous Improvement & Safety

• Boost Efficiency: Analyze production data to reduce "air-cut" time and improve Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE).
• Champion Safety: Ensure cell compliance with OSHA and RIA/ANSI R15.06 guidelines (light curtains, interlocking gates).
• Train Staff: Mentor robot operators, technicians, and maintenance staff on basic troubleshooting and safety.

Job Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Degree: Bachelor's degree in Welding, Mechanical, or Automation/Robotics Engineering is preferred. An Associate degree with equivalent hands-on industrial experience will be considered.
• Experience: 3–5+ years of direct experience engineering robotic welding applications in heavy manufacturing, automotive, or structural steel fabrication.

Technical Skills

• Robotics: Proficient in programming major robotic platforms (primarily ABB). Experience with simulation software like RobotStudio or RoboGuide is highly preferred.
• Welding Expertise: Deep understanding of GMAW (MIG), FCAW, or GTAW (TIG) processes and parameter development.
• CAD & Prints: Ability to read engineering drawings and utilize CAD software (SolidWorks, AutoCAD, CREO) to review part geometry.
• Upstream Focus: Knowledge of how laser cutting, stamping, and sheet metal rolling impact part fit-up and automated weld success.

Success Metrics (KPIs)

• First-Time Through (FTT) Yield: Reduction in post-weld manual rework and repair rates.
• Cycle Time Reduction: Percentage decrease in cell cycle times through optimized tool paths.
• Equipment Downtime: Minimizing cell downtime caused by programming errors or fixture tracking alignment issues.