Staff Engineer – Welding Automation & Advanced Manufacturing

Cullerton Group; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 149,000 - 182,000; Full time

Job summary

Cullerton Group has a new opportunity for a Staff Engineer - Advanced Manufacturing in Chicago, IL. This permanent role focuses on advancing welding automation and process innovation, leading the selection and deployment of new systems.

It requires hands-on technical expertise and cross-functional collaboration to shape future manufacturing capabilities. The position involves evaluating existing processes, managing capital projects over 12–18 months, and working with suppliers to implement

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Welding Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field.
• 8+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering within a medium to large-scale production environment.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate existing manufacturing processes and identify opportunities to improve efficiency, quality, and scalability.
• Lead the exploration and implementation of advanced welding technologies, including robotic MIG, TIG, and laser welding.
• Support long-term manufacturing strategy by identifying emerging technologies and assessing their applicability.
• Lead the replacement and upgrade of multiple manufacturing systems over a 12–18 month horizon.
• Develop technical specifications and performance requirements for new equipment and systems.
• Manage supplier selection processes, including RFP development and evaluation of vendors.
• Oversee system design, build, installation, and commissioning in partnership with external suppliers.
• Ensure systems meet defined quality, throughput, and safety requirements.
• Drive projects from concept through execution, ensuring alignment with operational goals.
• Collaborate with engineering, operations, and quality teams to establish standard work and process controls.
• Provide regular updates to stakeholders, including progress, risks, and mitigation plans.
• Manage capital budgets and ensure effective use of resources.
• Serve as a subject matter expert in welding processes and automation.
• Support troubleshooting and continuous improvement efforts on the production floor as needed.
• Partner with internal experts to scale knowledge and alleviate bandwidth constraints.
• Collaborate with product development teams to ensure designs are optimized for manufacturability.
• Evaluate how product design impacts welding efficiency and automation potential.
• Provide guidance on design requirements to enable advanced welding processes.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Welding Engineering

Tools

Robotic welding

Job description

Cullerton Group has a new opportunity for a Staff Engineer - Advanced Manufacturing in Chicago, IL. This permanent role focuses on advancing welding automation and process innovation, leading the selection and deployment of new systems.

It requires hands-on technical expertise and cross-functional collaboration to shape future manufacturing capabilities. The position involves evaluating existing processes, managing capital projects over 12–18 months, and working with suppliers to implement