Manufacturing Engineer (Automation)

at Premier Technology, Inc. in Blackfoot, Idaho, United States

Job Description

Primary Function:
Responsible for the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of automated manufacturing systems, with a focus on robotic welding and fabrication processes. Ensures quality standards are met while improving production efficiency, repeatability, and scalability through automation.

This role involves collaborating with design, production, quality assurance, and welding engineering teams to develop and deploy automated solutions that meet industry standards and project specifications, particularly in a low-volume, high-mix manufacturing environment.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop/identify project manufacturing approaches by reviewing project proposals and plans, with a focus on automation feasibility, system integration, and ROI.
• Participate in project planning during the estimating and proposal phase, including automation concept development, cycle time estimation, and capital equipment justification.
• Interpret customer specifications to define requirements for automated manufacturing systems, including welding processes, tolerances, and quality expectations.
• Evaluate existing manufacturing processes and workflows to identify opportunities for automation, robotic integration, and process standardization, and implement improved solutions.
• Apply working knowledge of component design and assembly to support design for automation (DFA), including fixturing strategy, datum structure, and tolerance stack-up.
• Create processes and procedures to help the company meet budgetary and performance goals through automation, labor reduction, and throughput improvements.
• Conduct and coordinate design for manufacturability and automation (DFMA) reviews.
• Research, develop, and implement automated welding systems, including robotic programming, motion control, and integration of welding power sources and peripherals.
• Develop or modify current welding methods, techniques, and procedures for automated and robotic applications, including optimization of weld parameters for repeatability and reduced variability.
• Integrate and troubleshoot robotic systems, PLCs, sensors (seam tracking, touch sensing), and other automation components within manufacturing processes.
• Prepare technical reports because of research, development, and automation system performance evaluations, including cycle time, uptime, and quality metrics.
• Evaluate new developments in automation, robotics, and welding technologies for potential application to current manufacturing challenges.
• Perform experimental welding and system trials to evaluate new automated equipment, robotic programs, techniques, and materials.
• Lead troubleshooting and continuous improvement efforts on automated welding systems, addressing mechanical, electrical, and programming issues.
• Direct and coordinate technical personnel in performing inspections to ensure compliance with established procedures and standards, including validation of automated system performance and weld quality.
• Basic familiarity with operating 3D printers, including understanding of slicing workflows and print setup.

Promote and actively embrace the concept of professionalism, with an emphasis on quality, commitment, integrity, ingenuity, teamwork, the community, and the environment. Safety is a deeply rooted cultural value, and it must be promoted and always enforced.

Minimum Qualifications/Experience:
Bachelor’s degree in Welding Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related field.  Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in Manufacturing or Automation engineering or a related role within a manufacturing or construction environment.

• Knowledge of both composite and metal 3d Printing is highly preferred.
• Experience supporting or maintaining additive manufacturing equipment.
• Proficiency in welding techniques (e.g., TIG, MIG, SMAW), and non-destructive testing (NDT) methods.
• Experience with CAD software, and other relevant engineering tools. (SolidWorks, Fusion)
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to troubleshoot and resolve welding issues.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail in all aspects of work.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and manage teams, with strong organizational and project management skills.

Other Qualifications: 
The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of the conditions that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Regular, predictable, and on-site attendance is an essential function of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job. Premier Technology is a federal contractor, and as such, this position will work on government contracts and requires that you are a US Citizen (not just authorized to work in the US).

Physical Demands:  
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to talk, hear, and walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and climb or balance. The employee is regularly required to sit in a stationary position for extended periods of time while working at a computer.  The job may require climbing of ladders and/or stairs. The employee may occasionally lift heavy pieces of metal, work with arms overhead, twist, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee is frequently required to stand and lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move weight above 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include strong visual acuity (with or without correction), color vision, peripheral vision, and depth perception. Long hours (10 or more) are often scheduled, and job may require overtime.

Work Environment:
While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly exposed to moving mechanical parts, loud noises, tripping hazards, exposure to sparks, welding arc, and open flame. The employee is occasionally exposed to high, precarious places, fumes or airborne particles, mild industrial chemicals, inclement weather, risk of electrical shock and vibration. It is essential for employees to maintain awareness of their surroundings and when required, wear the necessary PPE. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.

Benefit Options: 

• Medical, Dental, Vision - 100% Employee Paid Coverage
• Company Paid Life Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account 
• Employee Assistance Program
• Supplement Benefits - Accident, Disability, Critical Care, Hospital, Term Life, Whole Life
• Legal Shield/Identity Theft Protection/Gun Owners Insurance
• Pet Insurance
• 401k Retirement Plan with Company Match

Other benefits:

• 4-Day Work Week
• Paid Time Off (PTO) 
• Paid Holidays
• Training Opportunities 
• Tuition Assistance 
• Employee and Dependent Scholarships

Premier Technology, Inc. is an Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity Employer.