Automation Technician (Robot Programmer)

We’re a company of innovators and makers.   Howmet Aerospace is transforming the aerospace and transportation industries.   Join our team and help us engineer the next generation of sustainable travel.    

Howmet Aerospace, headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a leading global provider of advanced engineered solutions for the aerospace and transportation industries. The Company’s primary businesses focus on jet engine components, aerospace fastening systems and titanium structural parts necessary for mission-critical performance and efficiency in aerospace and defense applications, as well as forged wheels for commercial transportation. Howmet Aerospace is transforming the next phase of more fuel-efficient, quieter aerospace engines and sustainable ground transportation. For more information, visit www.howmet.com. Follow @howmet: Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube.

We believe great employees deserve great benefits!  Enjoy a competitive benefits package with valuable health, retirement, and paid-time-off benefits:

• Health Insurance from Day One – Medical coverage begins on your first day of employment.
• Generous 401(k) Retirement Plan – Company contribution of 3% of eligible compensation, plus a 100% match on employee contributions up to 6%, providing the opportunity for up to 15% of eligible compensation in total retirement contributions.
• 13 Company-Paid Holidays – Enjoy 13 paid holidays each year.
• Annual Paid Time Off (PTO) – Paid time off to support work-life balance and time away when you need it.
• Overtime Opportunities Available – Additional earning opportunities through available overtime hours.

Our state-of-the-art investment casting facility in La Porte, Indiana is seeking an Automation Tech (Robot Programmer) to join our team.  Nestled halfway between South Bend and Chicago, along the shores of Lake Michigan - our facility in La Porte, Indiana supplies jet engine components to some of the most trusted names in the Aerospace industry.  

JOB SUMMARY

This position will work independently or under supervision of Automation Lead to complete tasks necessary for robotic automation. Robotics are extensively used throughout Howmet La Porte’s manufacturing process in Monoshell, Foundry, Casting, Post-Cast, and NDT. As such, all candidates must have the ability to work on a cross functional team.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Create/maintain robotic programs and tooling, as required for the department of use.

• Determine/create/maintain key process characteristics within the robotic program necessary for a robust process, along with monitoring/reacting to these process inputs.

• Ability to utilize off-line programming software to minimize production downtime while correcting issues, implementing new products, and/or making other adjustments.

• Detail oriented, with record keeping practices that easily allow for determining process changes to downstream results.

• Participate in cross-functional team for the purpose of preventing or reducing recurring defects (e.g., dross, crucible inclusions, etc.) related to the process.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Job responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Design/maintenance of robotic programs used throughout our manufacturing process.

• Design and program management of fixtures used within the robotic processes.

• Support/train manufacturing operators on the use of automation within the process.

• Documentation of all changes to production programs for future correlation to downstream process outputs.

• Determination of key input variables within the automation process to ensure that process is robust against minor variations in casting dimensions.

• Determination/implementation of key output variables to validate that critical functions within a program/piece have completed successfully before running additional product.

NOTE:  Individual may need to flex across all shifts in order to execute duties as necessary

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• High School or GED.

• Two-year technical degree or a minimum of 3 years’ related manufacturing programming experience.

• Employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
• This position entails access to export-controlled items and employment offers are conditioned upon an applicant's ability to lawfully obtain access to such items.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience with Motoman and/or Fanuc robots.

• Offline programming experience.

• Familiarity with fixture design for implementation in a robotic cell.

• Familiarity with CNC programming in addition to robotic programming.

• Familiarity with Motoman and Fanuc robots, including application of a 7th axis.
• Familiarity with Fanuc offline programming software.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to understand the needs from a team that has minimal exposure to robotic programming.
• Green Belt certification in Six Sigma is preferred; if applicant does not have Green Belt, then it will be required to achieve within 12 months of hire.
• Self-motivated.
• Attentive to details.
• Process oriented.
• Ability to maintain detailed documentation.
• Team oriented.
• Prior exposure / knowledge of statistical analysis.