Engineering Technician, Welding Automation

Watlow is seeking a: Welding Automation Engineering Technician

Hannibal, MO

We are seeking an experienced, hands-on Welding Automation Engineering Technician to join a cross-functional technology team responsible for developing, validating, and deploying advanced automated welding processes.

This position will work closely to transition welding processes currently performed by highly skilled welding specialists into robust, repeatable automated processes capable of being operated by production technicians.

The Engineering Technician will be a key hands-on member of the welding automation development team--operating and refining automated welding systems, executing development and validation trials, helping establish production-ready process standards and work instructions, and training production personnel in the safe and effective operation of automated welding equipment.

This role is ideal for an experienced welding or manufacturing technician who combines strong practical welding knowledge with an aptitude for automation, robotics, experimentation, troubleshooting, and teaching others.

What You'll Do

• Operate collaborative robotic and automated welding systems in support of welding process development, testing, and production implementation.
• Work directly with Welding Engineering and Controls/Mechanical Engineering to develop and optimize weld programs, weld profiles, torch positions, travel paths, speeds, process parameters, sequencing, and equipment settings.
• Translate the knowledge and techniques used by skilled manual welding specialists into repeatable automated welding processes.
• Set up tooling, fixtures, components, welding equipment, shielding gas systems, and associated automation equipment for development and validation trials.
• Execute pilot, development, qualification, and validation welds according to defined engineering test plans and process requirements.
• Inspect and evaluate weld results using applicable visual, dimensional, destructive, or nondestructive evaluation methods and provide structured feedback to engineering.
• Record weld parameters, equipment settings, test conditions, observations, results, and process changes in a disciplined and repeatable manner.
• Assist engineering in conducting process capability studies, design-of-experiment activities, troubleshooting, root-cause analysis, and continuous improvement.
• Identify sources of weld variation associated with part condition, fit-up, fixturing, torch position, consumables, process parameters, equipment condition, and operator interaction.
• Assist in converting development-stage automated welding solutions into reliable production processes.
• Develop and improve standard work, setup procedures, job aids, troubleshooting guides, process parameter standards, inspection criteria, preventive-maintenance checks, and production work instructions.
• Help establish clear criteria defining what production operators may adjust independently and when technical or engineering support is required.
• Support production launches and provide hands-on floor support during initial implementation of new automated welding processes.
• Develop training materials and lead hands-on training and qualification of production operators and technicians assigned to automated welding systems.
• Coach operators in equipment setup, normal operation, basic troubleshooting, weld-quality evaluation, process discipline, and escalation procedures.
• Provide feedback to engineering regarding equipment usability, operator interaction, maintainability, manufacturability, and opportunities to simplify the production process.
• Maintain a strong focus on welding safety, robotic/cobot safety, equipment safety, quality, process control, and disciplined adherence to established procedures.

Required Qualifications

• Technical diploma, associate degree, apprenticeship, or equivalent practical experience in Welding Technology, Manufacturing Technology, Mechatronics, Industrial Technology, Automation, or a related technical discipline.
• 5+ years of hands-on experience in welding, fabrication, manufacturing process development, automated manufacturing, or a closely related technical environment.
• Demonstrated hands-on welding knowledge.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, weld symbols, manufacturing specifications, work instructions, and process documentation.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and demonstrated ability to troubleshoot equipment and manufacturing-process problems systematically.
• Experience collecting process data, documenting test results, maintaining parameter records, and following controlled manufacturing procedures.
• Ability and willingness to spend a significant portion of the workday working directly with equipment on the manufacturing floor or in an engineering laboratory.
• Demonstrated ability to train, coach, and communicate effectively with production operators, technicians, engineers, and skilled trades personnel.
• Strong commitment to safe work practices and disciplined process execution.

Desired Qualifications

• Hands-on experience with robotic or collaborative-robot welding systems.
• Experience programming, teaching, or adjusting robot/cobot motion paths, tool positions, speeds, offsets, or process parameters.
• Experience with GTAW/TIG, GMAW/MIG, resistance welding, laser welding, or other welding processes.
• Experience developing or optimizing weld schedules and understanding relationships among current, voltage, travel speed, torch angle, arc length, shielding gas, wire feed, heat input, fit-up, and weld quality.
• Experience with automated welding fixtures, positioners, seam tracking, vision systems, weld monitoring, or related automation technologies.
• Familiarity with PLC-controlled equipment, HMIs, industrial sensors, servos, pneumatics, machine controls, or industrial networking.
• Experience supporting process qualification, validation, capability studies, DOE, root-cause analysis, or structured continuous-improvement activities.
• Experience creating manufacturing work instructions, standard work, setup sheets, troubleshooting documentation, or operator training materials.
• AWS welding certification, Certified Welding Inspector credentials, robot-manufacturer training, or other relevant technical certifications are desirable but not required.
• Previous experience supporting the transition of a manual manufacturing process to semi-automated or fully automated production.