Robotic Welding Technician Lead

Etnyre International; Minonk (IL); On-site; USD 43,000 - 63,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual Bonus

Annual Wage Increases

11 Paid Holidays

401(k) with Company Match

Job summary

SMF, part of Etnyre International, is hiring a Robotic Welding Technician Lead in Minonk, IL. The role provides day-to-day technical leadership to robotic welding technicians, coordinates assignments, and ensures safety, quality, and productivity while driving continuous improvement.

You will mentor technicians, own welding processes, analyze issues, and work with engineering on process improvements. Starting pay is based on experience and test results, with potential for growth in a Tier One

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required; technical education in robotics, welding, automation, electrical systems, or manufacturing preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day technical leadership to Robotic Welding Technicians.
• Coordinate technician assignments and coverage based on production requirements and skill levels.
• Monitor safety, quality, productivity, downtime, and equipment performance.
• Serve as the primary escalation point for complex robotic welding problems.
• Establish and maintain best practices for robot operation and welding processes.
• Lead or support root-cause analysis and corrective actions.

Skills

Robotic Welding Leadership

Troubleshooting Robotics

Process Ownership

Safety & Quality Compliance

Team Mentoring

Root Cause Analysis

Education

High school diploma or equivalent; technical education in robotics/welding/automation

Job description

Job Details

Job Location: SMF Minonk - Minonk, IL 61760.

Position Type: Full Time.

Salary Range: $30.50 - $45.76 Hourly.

Job Category: Manufacturing.

Build Your Future with SMF!

Why Choose SMF?

At SMF, we don't just offer jobs—we build careers. As part of Etnyre International, we have a 50-year legacy in high-quality metal fabrication, serving industries like construction, power generation, agriculture, and mining.

We take pride in being a Tier One supplier to Fortune 500 OEMs, which means high standards, excellent quality, and rewarding work. Our team of skilled professionals and state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities (spanning 200,000+ square feet) make SMF one of the top ½ percent of machine shops nationwide.

In 2020, SMF joined Etnyre International, fueling even more growth and opportunity—and we want YOU to be part of it!

Now Hiring: Robotic Welding Technician Lead

Starting Pay Rates on Experience & Pre-Employment Test Results:

Robotic Welding Technician Lead: $34.75

What You’ll Do:

Robotic Welding Operations & Process Ownership

• Provide day-to-day technical leadership to Robotic Welding Technicians.


• Coordinate technician assignments and support coverage based on production requirements and individual skill levels.


• Monitor safety, quality, productivity, downtime, and equipment performance.


• Serve as the primary escalation point for complex robotic welding problems.


• Ensure consistent operating practices across robotic welding cells and shifts.


• Assist Production leadership with identifying training and staffing needs.


• Mentor and develop Technician I, II, and Senior Technicians.


• Support technician skill evaluations and advancement recommendations.


• Serve as the technical owner for robotic welding processes.


• Establish and maintain best practices for robot operation and welding processes.


• Analyze recurring quality, downtime, and productivity issues.


• Lead or support root-cause analysis and corrective actions.


• Recommend improvements to robot programs, fixtures, tooling, equipment, and processes.


• Work with Engineering and Quality to validate process changes.


• Drive continuous improvement in cycle time, weld quality, uptime, and productivity.

Troubleshooting

• Lead troubleshooting of complex robotic welding problems.


• Determine whether issues are related to programming, equipment, tooling, fixtures, welding processes, materials, or maintenance.


• Coordinate with Maintenance on mechanical, electrical, controls, and equipment-related problems.


• Coordinate with Engineering on process, programming, and automation issues.


• Provide hands-on technical support during major production interruptions.


• Identify recurring problems and develop permanent corrective actions.

Quality

• Ensure robotic welding processes meet established quality requirements.


• Support weld-quality investigations and corrective actions.


• Monitor recurring weld defects and process variation.


• Work with Quality and Engineering to improve process capability and consistency.


• Ensure robot programs and process parameters remain controlled and documented.

Equipment Care

• Perform routine inspections of robotic welding equipment, fixtures, tooling, welding guns, wire-feed systems, and consumables.


• Identify equipment conditions that could affect safety, quality, or productivity.


• Perform operator-level preventive-maintenance activities as required.


• Coordinate with Maintenance when equipment requires technical repair.

Safety

• Promote and enforce safe robotic welding practices.


• Ensure technicians follow required PPE, machine safety, lockout/tagout, robotic-cell, and hot-work requirements.


• Immediately address unsafe conditions or practices.


• Ensure safety devices, guarding, and interlocks are not bypassed outside approved procedures.


• Participate in safety investigations and improvement initiatives.

Training & Development

• Develop and maintain training standards for Robotic Welding Technicians.


• Train technicians on robotic welding operation, troubleshooting, quality, and process fundamentals.


• Mentor Senior Technicians preparing for advanced programming or leadership responsibilities.


• Establish clear expectations for progression from Technician I through Senior Technician.


• Identify skill gaps and recommend targeted training.


• Work closely with Production Management to meet production requirements.


• Partner with Maintenance to improve equipment reliability and minimize downtime.


• Work with Engineering on new equipment, automation projects, programming, and process improvements.


• Work with Quality to maintain weld quality and resolve process issues.


• Communicate technical issues, risks, and improvement opportunities to leadership.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required; technical education in robotics, welding, automation, electrical systems, or manufacturing preferred.


• Extensive experience operating and troubleshooting robotic welding systems.


• Advanced knowledge of robotic welding processes and automated manufacturing.


• Demonstrated experience with industrial robot programming and teach-pendant operation.


• Strong knowledge of welding parameters, weld defects, fixtures, tooling, and process control.


• Ability to read engineering drawings, weld symbols, electrical schematics, and technical documentation.


• Advanced mechanical and troubleshooting skills.


• Demonstrated ability to train, mentor, and provide technical leadership.


• Strong communication, organization, and problem-solving skills.


• Ability to work effectively under production pressure.

What We Offer – Total Rewards Package

• ANNUAL BONUS for ALL team members


• ANNUAL Wage Increases to reward your dedication


• Competitive Pay Based on Experience


• $2.50/hour Shift Premium for 2nd shift


• 11 Paid Holidays + 3 Additional Paid Holiday Break Days


• Generous Paid Time Off (Vacation & Flex Time)


• Excellent Benefits Package




• LOW-COST Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance


• Company-Paid Life Insurance & Disability Coverage


• 401(k) with Employer Match & Profit Sharing


• Accident, Hospital, & Critical Illness Coverage Options

Why Join SMF?

• Work for a company that is in the top ½ percent of machine shops nationwide


• Be part of a fast-growing organization with state-of-the-art manufacturing


• Take pride in contributing to high-quality, Fortune 500 OEM projects

If you're energetic, detail-oriented, and ready to grow, we want you on our team!