MIG Weld Technician - Automotive Assembly & Robotic Welding

Job Description:

• Seeking an experienced MIG Weld Technician to support a high-volume automotive assembly and robotic welding operation.
• This is a hands-on manufacturing position responsible for maintaining stable welding processes, troubleshooting robotic MIG welding cells, supporting weld quality, minimizing production downtime, and driving continuous improvement.
• Strong experience with GMAW/MIG welding, robotic welding systems, weld fixtures, welding power sources, wire-feed and shielding-gas systems, weld-quality inspection, and automated manufacturing equipment.
• Will work closely with Production, Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, Maintenance, Tooling, and Automation teams to ensure welding processes consistently meet safety, quality, delivery, and production-rate requirements.

• Provide hands-on technical support for manual and robotic GMAW/MIG welding operations on the automotive assembly line.
• Monitor and maintain approved welding parameters including voltage, amperage, wire-feed speed, travel speed, gas flow, torch angle, contact-tip-to-work distance, weld sequence, and arc start/stop conditions.
• Troubleshoot weld-process instability and restore the process to approved operating conditions.
• Ensure weld parameters remain within established process windows and customer specifications.
• Support welding trials, process optimization, new-product launches, and production ramp-up activities.
• Identify opportunities to improve weld quality, cycle time, consumable usage, and process reliability.

• Provide first line troubleshooting support for robotic MIG welding cells.
• Diagnose and correct issues involving: Arc faults and poor arc starts, Wire-feed problems, Burnback and wire sticking, Contact-tip and nozzle failures, Shielding-gas problems, Torch collisions and alignment, Weld-location variation, Robot path/position issues, Fixture and clamping issues
• Perform approved robot touch-ups and weld-path corrections.
• Verify TCP and torch alignment following collisions, maintenance, or torch replacement.
• Support safe robot recovery and production restart following equipment faults.
• Maintain and troubleshoot torch-cleaning stations, reamers, anti-spatter systems, wire cutters, and related welding-cell equipment.
• Work with Controls and Automation personnel when issues involve PLCs, robots, HMIs, sensors, interlocks, communications, or safety systems.

• Inspect welds for porosity, undercut, lack of fusion, incomplete penetration, burn-through, cold lap, excessive spatter, cracking, incorrect weld size/location, missed welds, and start/stop defects.
• Verify weld size, length, location, and appearance against engineering drawings and customer requirements.
• Perform or support weld sectioning, cut-and-etch/macro examination, destructive testing, dimensional inspection, and other weld-validation activities as required.
• Immediately identify and contain suspect production when weld quality falls outside specification.
• Work with Quality and Manufacturing Engineering to determine root cause and implement permanent corrective actions.
• Support PFMEA, Control Plans, standardized work, process capability, SPC, 5-Why, 8D, and continuous-improvement activities.

• Verify proper component loading, locating, nesting, and clamping prior to welding.
• Troubleshoot weld-quality and dimensional issues associated with fixtures and part fit-up.
• Inspect locating pins, clamps, sensors, hard stops, shims, and other tooling components.
• Identify excessive part gaps, dimensional variation, fixture wear, or component conditions affecting weld quality.
• Work with Tooling and Manufacturing Engineering to correct fixture-related problems.
• Support dimensional investigations involving welded assemblies and CMM/measurement results.

• Support troubleshooting and preventive maintenance of: MIG welding power sources, Welding torches and dress packs, Wire feeders and drive rolls, contact tips, nozzles, liners, and diffusers, Welding cables and electrical grounds, Shielding-gas systems, regulators, and flowmeters, Wire drums/spools, Torch-cleaning and reaming systems, Robotic welding equipment, Automated weld fixtures and clamps
• Perform scheduled inspections and preventive-maintenance activities and identify recurring equipment failures requiring permanent corrective action.

• Respond quickly to welding-related production downtime.
• Support achievement of takt time/JPH, OEE, first-pass yield, scrap, rework, downtime, and quality targets.
• Document equipment failures, welding problems, root causes, and corrective actions.
• Participate in daily production and shift handover meetings as required.
• Support engineering trials, prototype builds, equipment commissioning, launch, ramp-up, and production-validation activities.
• Reduce weld-related scrap and rework through structured problem solving.
• Identify opportunities to reduce welding-wire, shielding-gas, tip/nozzle, and other consumable usage without compromising quality.
• Work with operators and team leaders to improve standardized work and proper component loading.

• Minimum 3 years of hands-on MIG/GMAW welding experience in an industrial manufacturing environment.
• Strong knowledge of MIG welding principles and weld-defect troubleshooting.
• Experience supporting automated or robotic welding equipment.
• Ability to read engineering drawings, weld symbols, process sheets, and work instructions.
• Experience using basic dimensional and weld-inspection equipment.
• Strong mechanical troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced production environment.
• Willingness to support overtime, weekends, alternate shifts, and launch activities when required.

• Previous experience in automotive chassis, ladder frames, subframes, cradles, body structures, BIW, heavy equipment, structural fabrication, or similar high-volume welded assemblies is strongly preferred.
• Experience with any of the following is an advantage:
• Robotics: FANUC, ABB, KUKA, Yaskawa/Motoman or equivalent
• Welding Systems: Lincoln Electric, Fronius, Miller, OTC Daihen, SKS or equivalent
• PLC/HMI-controlled automated manufacturing equipment
• Robotic welding fixtures and pneumatic/hydraulic clamping systems
• Weld macro/cut-and-etch analysis
• Automotive PFMEA and Control Plans
• SPC and process capability
• IATF 16949 manufacturing environments
• Lean Manufacturing, 5S, TPM, and structured problem solving

• High School Diploma or GED required; Technical/Trade-School Education Preferred.