1st Shift Robot Welder / Robotic Welding Operator

Location: Gastonia, NC 28056
Pay Rate: Starting at $17.00 per hour or higher, based on experience
Shift: 1st Shift
Schedule: Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM
Job Type: Full-Time
Experience Level: Mid-Level / Experienced
Industry: Manufacturing

Job Overview

We are seeking a skilled and experienced Robot Welder / Robotic Welding Operator to join a fast-paced manufacturing team in Gastonia, NC.

The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience programming, setting up, operating, and troubleshooting robotic welding systems to produce high-quality welded metal components. This position requires a strong understanding of robotic welding technology, MIG welding processes, blueprint interpretation, and manufacturing quality standards.

The Robot Welder will be responsible for maintaining efficient production operations, adjusting welding programs and parameters, identifying welding defects, and ensuring finished products meet engineering specifications and quality requirements.

We are looking for a hands-on professional who can do more than load parts and operate a machine. The ideal candidate should be comfortable adjusting robotic welding programs, troubleshooting equipment, and improving welding accuracy and production efficiency.

Applicants must be available to work 1st Shift, Monday through Friday, from 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM.

Key Responsibilities

Robotic Welding Programming and Operation

• Set up, program, operate, and monitor robotic welding machines in a manufacturing environment.
• Create, modify, and adjust robotic welding programs to meet production and engineering requirements.
• Use robotic teach pendants to adjust welding paths, positioning, and welding sequences.
• Load and position metal components into welding fixtures, ensuring proper alignment and secure placement.
• Select and adjust welding parameters, including voltage, amperage, wire feed speed, travel speed, and shielding gas settings.
• Perform robotic MIG welding operations on steel and other metal components as required.
• Monitor automated welding cycles and make necessary adjustments to maintain production quality.
• Perform equipment and product changeovers while minimizing downtime.

Welding Quality and Inspection

• Read and interpret blueprints, technical drawings, welding symbols, and work instructions.
• Inspect finished welds for proper penetration, weld size, alignment, consistency, and appearance.
• Identify welding defects such as porosity, undercut, incomplete fusion, and excessive spatter.
• Perform first-piece inspections and routine quality checks throughout production.
• Use measuring and inspection tools to verify finished components meet required tolerances.
• Make corrective adjustments to robotic welding programs and equipment when quality issues are identified.
• Maintain accurate production records and report defective materials or equipment concerns.

Troubleshooting and Equipment Maintenance

• Troubleshoot robotic welding systems, programming errors, equipment faults, and welding inconsistencies.
• Diagnose issues related to wire feeding, torch positioning, welding parameters, sensors, and robotic movements.
• Adjust robot programming and welding settings to improve weld consistency and reduce defects.
• Perform routine equipment inspections, cleaning, and basic preventive maintenance.
• Replace welding consumables, including contact tips, nozzles, and welding wire, as needed.
• Report major mechanical, electrical, or programming issues to maintenance or engineering personnel.
• Assist with efforts to reduce equipment downtime and improve overall production efficiency.

Production, Safety, and Team Collaboration

• Meet daily production goals while maintaining quality and safety standards.
• Work closely with supervisors, quality control, engineering, and maintenance teams.
• Identify opportunities to improve welding processes, production cycle times, and material efficiency.
• Follow established manufacturing procedures, safety policies, and quality requirements.
• Wear all required personal protective equipment (PPE) during welding and production activities.
• Follow robotic work-cell safety procedures, machine guarding requirements, and applicable lockout/tagout protocols.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work environment.
• Perform additional welding or manufacturing duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Previous hands-on experience operating and setting up robotic welding systems in a manufacturing environment.
• Ability to program, modify, or adjust robotic welding programs.
• Strong knowledge of MIG welding (GMAW) processes, welding techniques, and equipment.
• Experience troubleshooting robotic welding equipment and correcting welding defects.
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints, AWS welding symbols, and engineering drawings.
• Understanding of welding parameters, weld quality, and metal fabrication processes.
• Experience with welding fixtures, part alignment, and production setups.
• Basic mechanical aptitude and ability to identify equipment or process problems.
• Ability to use measuring tools and perform visual quality inspections.
• Strong attention to detail, reliability, and commitment to workplace safety.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Reliable attendance and punctuality.
• Ability to work the complete 1st Shift schedule, Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM.

Preferred Qualifications

• 2+ years of robotic welding experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience programming or operating robotic welding systems such as FANUC, Yaskawa/Motoman, ABB, Panasonic, or similar equipment.
• Experience with teach-pendant programming, weld-path adjustments, and robotic troubleshooting.
• Previous hands-on experience performing manual MIG welding.
• Knowledge of welding procedures, AWS welding standards, and fabrication quality requirements.
• Experience performing first-piece inspections and correcting weld defects.
• Familiarity with Lean Manufacturing, continuous improvement, or production efficiency initiatives.
• Technical training or certification in welding, robotics, industrial maintenance, or a related field.

Required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Applicants must have the following PPE:

• Welding Helmet: An appropriate welding helmet with the required eye and face protection for welding operations.
• Welding Gloves: Protective welding gloves suitable for handling welding equipment and hot metal components.

Important: Candidates must have their welding helmet and welding gloves available for any required welding skills test and be prepared to use them when reporting for welding assignments.

Additional workplace PPE, including safety glasses, steel-toe or composite-toe footwear, hearing protection, and other protective equipment, may be required according to job-site safety procedures.

Physical Requirements

To perform the essential functions of this position, with or without reasonable accommodation, employees may be required to:

• Stand and walk for extended periods throughout the scheduled shift.
• Frequently bend, stoop, kneel, reach, squat, and perform repetitive hand and arm movements.
• Handle, lift, position, and move metal components, welding fixtures, and production materials safely.
• Operate robotic welding equipment, hand tools, measuring instruments, and other manufacturing equipment.
• Maintain sufficient visual attention and hand-eye coordination to monitor welding operations and inspect finished components.
• Wear required protective equipment during assigned work activities.
• Work the complete scheduled shift.

Work Environment

This position is performed in an active industrial manufacturing facility and may involve exposure to:

• Welding fumes and smoke.
• Sparks, heat, and hot metal components.
• Industrial machinery, robotic welding cells, and moving equipment.
• Manufacturing noise.
• Sharp metal edges and fabricated components.
• Dust and typical manufacturing conditions.
• Changing temperatures.

The manufacturing facility is not climate-controlled and does not have air conditioning. Candidates must be comfortable working in varying temperatures while maintaining productivity and following established safety procedures.

Employees must follow all robotic work-cell safety requirements, machine guarding procedures, and applicable lockout/tagout protocols.