Sr. Automation Engineer

Job Title: Senior Manufacturing Automation Engineer

Location: Goodyear / Phoenix, Arizona
Department: Engineering
Employment Type: Full-Time | On-Site
FLSA Status: Exempt

About GTI Energy

GTI Energy, a division of GTI Fabrication, designs and builds advanced modular infrastructure for mission-critical markets, including energy storage systems, data centers, and defense applications. We are growing rapidly and investing heavily in automation to increase capacity, precision, and efficiency at our industrial fabrication facilities.

Position Overview

We are seeking a Senior Manufacturing Automation Engineer to lead the development, deployment, and optimization of automated robotic welding systems across our production lines. This is a hands-on technical role focused on designing, programming, integrating, and maintaining robotic welding cells with PLC controls.

This position will play a key role in advancing GTI’s automation strategy, ensuring our fabrication processes achieve the highest standards of safety, quality, efficiency, and scalability.

Key Responsibilities

Automation Applications, Strategy & CapEx Justification

• Partner with operations, manufacturing engineering, and quality to identify automation use cases that improve safety, quality, and throughput.
• Develop capital expenditure justifications and ROI/payback analyses to support automation project funding.
• Lead cross-functional project teams (quality, safety, operations, manufacturing engineering, and facilities) assigned to automation initiatives.
• Develop specifications for individual automation projects and create GTI-wide standards for control systems, preferred robot manufacturers, and welding equipment OEMs.
• Write project-specific performance clauses and high-level automation requirements for new system deployments.

Automation System Design & Integration

• Design, specify, and implement robotic welding cells for modular steel fabrication.
• Select and oversee external integrators to execute detailed design work.
• Lead internal and external design reviews to verify system safety, quality, and technical alignment.
• Coordinate installation, validation, and qualification (IQ/OQ/PQ) of automation systems with integrators and plant teams.
• Ensure integration of robotics (FANUC, ABB, KUKA, Motoman, etc.), tooling, sensors, and safety systems.

PLC Programming & Controls Engineering

• Develop and modify PLC/HMI logic (Allen-Bradley, Siemens, etc.) to control robotic welding cells and integrate them with conveyors, positioners, and vision systems.
• Ensure robust communication between robots, PLCs, and peripheral equipment using Ethernet/IP or Modbus.

Programming & Optimization

• Write and optimize robot programs for MIG, TIG, and spot welding applications.
• Tune welding parameters, robot paths, and cycle times to improve throughput and first-pass yield while reducing rework and scrap.

Troubleshooting, Maintenance & Sustaining Engineering

• Provide hands-on support to troubleshoot automation systems and minimize downtime.
• Lead preventive maintenance schedules for robotic welding systems and controls equipment.
• Own sustaining work post-installation, ensuring stable long-term performance of robotic systems.

Continuous Improvement & NPI Support

• Analyze production data to identify bottlenecks and quality issues.
• Implement Lean and Six Sigma methodologies to drive continuous improvement in robotic welding operations.
• Lead new product introduction (NPI) ramp-ups from prototype to full-scale automated production.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with mechanical engineers, manufacturing engineers, quality, and maintenance teams to ensure production readiness of automated systems.
• Support design-for-manufacturability efforts on new products to enable automated fabrication.

Documentation & Training

• Maintain detailed technical documentation including robot programs, schematics, and SOPs.
• Train and mentor technicians, operators, and junior engineers on robotic welding system operation, troubleshooting, and programming.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Mechatronics, or Industrial Engineering
• 8–10 years of experience in manufacturing automation or controls engineering
• Hands-on experience implementing and supporting robotic welding systems
• Proficiency with industrial welding robots (FANUC, ABB, Motoman, KUKA or similar)
• Strong experience with PLC programming and controls integration (Allen-Bradley, Siemens, etc.)
• Proven success leading cross-functional automation projects and managing integrators
• Strong understanding of welding processes (GMAW, GTAW, resistance spot welding) and metallurgy basics
• Knowledge of industrial safety standards (OSHA, NFPA79) and risk assessments for robotic systems
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and troubleshooting skills
• Strong project management skills to coordinate multiple automation projects and vendor integrations
• Effective communicator and collaborative team player with leadership experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with robotic simulation tools (RoboGuide, RobotStudio, etc.)
• Experience integrating vision systems, sensors, motion control, or automated material handling
• Familiarity with CAD (SolidWorks, AutoCAD) for fixture or tooling design
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or higher certification

Why Join GTI

• Lead automation for a rapidly growing industrial fabrication company
• Hands-on, high-impact technical role in a fast-paced environment
• Competitive compensation and benefits
• Work with advanced robotic technology to build mission-critical infrastructure

GTI Energy is an equal opportunity employer and celebrates diversity in our workforce.