Senior Robotic Welding Automation Technician in Grand Rapids

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Job DescriptionJob DescriptionA day in the life

You start your shift by checking on a bank of robotic welding cells. A quick scan of HMI screens, a few pages of electrical prints, and you’re inside a control panel verifying I/O. A Weld Technician flags a quality concern; you dive into ladder logic, simulate the I/O, verify TCP, and make a small move adjustment offline in RoboCAD/RobotStudio. Before lunch, you’re mentoring an Automation Technician I on shimming a fixture. By afternoon, you’re tuning a gun, validating a MIG schedule per Weld Engineering direction, and coaching a Technician II through a PanelView screen replacement. You wrap with a handoff to the oncoming shift so production keeps flowing.

What you’ll own

• Provide hands-on production support for automated welding cells: setup, safe operation, troubleshooting, and optimization.
• Mentor Automation Technician I & II and Weld Technicians; set the standard for safety, quality, and urgency.
• Apply advanced troubleshooting using mechanical/electrical prints and schematics to diagnose components and circuits, including wiring harnesses, drives, relays, boards, motors, breakers, and transformers.
• Modify and perform intermediate robot programming across applications: basic offline edits (RoboCAD/RobotStudio), TCP verification, I/O simulation, move creation/modification, and zone configuration.
• Diagnose weld processes (drawn arc, GMAW, resistance, projection, pneumatic systems) and perform intermediate corrective actions.
• Use precision tools safely at an advanced level: hand measuring tools, amp meters, welding current meters, digital force gauges, and micro-ohm meters.
• Perform fixture tweaks and minor shim moves per manufacturing details with guidance from a Weld Maintenance Mechanic III or Manufacturing Engineer; apply sound shimming practices.
• Configure and troubleshoot poka‑yoke systems to prevent defects.

Choose and demonstrate strength in one specialty

Controls

• Intermediate PLC programming: add sensors, alter sequences, and troubleshoot via ladder logic.
• Program and troubleshoot PanelView (HMI), set up/troubleshoot I/O blocks, search/cross‑reference/edit programs, load programs.
• Replace/commission components (logic modules, screens), set IP addresses and system names.
• Troubleshoot valve stacks and related control hardware.

Robotics

• Apply intermediate robot programming methods, including offline routine creation.
• Load IDs, perform gun tuning, add system components (valves/I/O blocks).
• Set up/troubleshoot tool changers and external axes.
• Create/verify TCP (ABB Bullseye experience is a plus), create offsets, and replace motors, resolvers, and serial pulse coders.

Welding

• Execute intermediate weld troubleshooting and preventive maintenance on specialty equipment.
• Rebuild/reload schedules and make changes directed by Weld Engineers (RAFT; Emhart DA; MIG).
• Conduct cap/electrode studies and weld validation; calibrate squeeze force on spot guns.
• Troubleshoot drawn arc stud welding and perform basic programming; set up/troubleshoot projection welds.
• Leverage working knowledge of the Miyachi Weld Tester.

What you bring

• Fluency with job element sheets; ability to interpret mechanical/electrical prints.
• Proficiency with gauges (functional, go/no‑go), hand tools, multimeters, amp/weld current meters, force gauges, and micro‑ohm meters.
• Commitment to Challenge’s safety policies and procedures; strong root‑cause mindset.
• Solid understanding of welding processes and automated manufacturing.
• PC literacy (keyboard/mouse); Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook.
• Team-first mindset, high personal standards, integrity, and reliability.
• Self‑motivated, able to prioritize, receive and apply feedback, and resolve conflicts constructively.
• Flex across work areas to support plant flow; work with urgency to meet customer needs.
• Change‑ready outlook; treat new methods as opportunities to learn.
• Clear communication with supervisors and thorough shift‑to‑shift handoffs.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Industrial truck and aerial platform licenses.
• Excellent verbal communication skills.
• Successful completion of Automation Technician II written and performance tests (required for internal and external candidates).
• Knowledge of PLC systems and intermediate programming methods.
• Industrial Maintenance/Machine Repair/Electrician Journeyman certification, or a 2‑year technical degree, or equivalent work experience.
• Minimum 3 years as a Weld Technician, Automation Technician, or equivalent.
• : Mechatronics certificate or journeyperson card; Associate’s in mechatronics/controls/maintenance technology; at least 6 years combined education and experience in automation; strong electrical and mechanical background in industrial/automated systems.

Proficiencies

• PLC troubleshooting and programming
• Electrical schematics and installation
• Troubleshooting industrial automation equipment
• Industrial robot programming
• Programming machine vision systems
• Electrical/electronic systems
• Pneumatics troubleshooting

Tools and technology

• Robotic welders
• PLCs (Fanuc)
• Industrial robots (Fanuc, ABB)

Work environment

• Ability to lift/move up to 60 lbs.
• Ability to work up to 12 hours per day, including Saturday and Sunday.
• Reliable attendance and ensuring coverage when absent.
• Ability to understand and follow written and verbal instructions.

If you are interested in applying for this job please press the Apply Button and follow the application process. Energy Jobline wishes you the very best of luck in your next career move.