What are the responsibilities and job description for the Skilled Welder/Robot Operator position at LDJ Manufacturing Incorporated?
LDJ Manufacturing is home to the Thunder Creek Equipment brand of premium diesel fuel and service trailers and trucks. We are an industry leader known for our uncompromising quality and reliability. LDJ is an employee-owned company, with strong Midwest roots and values, and a passion to develop, manufacture, and market innovative solutions that provide value to our customers in the agriculture, construction, fuel distribution, transportation, and commercial industries.
Reporting to the Weld Manager, the Skilled Welder / Robot Operator is an advanced manufacturing position responsible for operating, setting up, troubleshooting, and maintaining robotic welding processes while producing high-quality components. The position requires strong MIG welding and robotic welding capability, knowledge of weld quality and fixtures, and the ability to independently identify issues, perform authorized weld repairs, and support safety, quality, and production standards.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities:
- Exhibit LDJ’s core values and culture in all aspects of the job.
- Operate, set up, and prepare robotic welding cells for product changes and production runs, including fixture adjustments and proper part loading/alignment.
- Monitor robotic weld cycles, make approved process adjustments, and assist with robot teaching or minor program adjustments when trained and authorized.
- Troubleshoot common robotic welding issues involving fixtures, part fit-up, wire feed, contact tips, shielding gas, consumables, and related equipment.
- Identify weld defects including porosity, undercut, lack of fusion, excessive spatter, incomplete welds, and poor weld placement.
- Perform authorized manual MIG weld repairs, including preparing/grinding defective welds and removing defective material in accordance with approved welding procedures.
- Verify repaired welds meet quality requirements for penetration, fusion, profile, placement, and appearance before releasing the part.
- Determine when a weld can be repaired within established authority and when support is required from Weld Leadership, Quality, Engineering, or Maintenance.
- Read and understand weld symbols, drawings, work instructions, and welding procedures; use measuring equipment to verify dimensions and part quality.
- Maintain production and quality documentation, welding consumables, and required equipment condition.
- Identify recurring weld defects or process problems, communicate concerns, and assist with root-cause analysis and corrective actions.
- Maintain production flow, minimize avoidable downtime, and take ownership of equipment, process, and product quality.
- Maintain 5S standards and a clean, organized, and safe weld cell; follow all safety procedures, PPE requirements, and lockout/tagout requirements.
- Assist in training and developing lower-level Weld Robot Operators and support continuous improvement efforts involving welding, robotics, fixtures, quality, and production efficiency.
- Other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Strong MIG welding skills, including manual weld repair and rework.
- Proficiency in robotic welding operation and basic robotic welding troubleshooting.
- Demonstrated ability to identify weld defects, evaluate weld quality, and perform quality weld repairs.
- Working knowledge of weld fixtures, welding consumables, equipment, blueprints, weld symbols, and welding procedures.
- Ability to use basic measuring tools and perform dimensional inspections.
- Mechanical aptitude, strong troubleshooting skills, and effective root-cause problem solving.
- Understanding of basic robot programming and teaching concepts when trained and authorized.
- Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and communicate effectively with Weld Leadership, Quality, Maintenance, Engineering, and other operators.
- Demonstrated commitment to safety, quality, continuous improvement, and team development.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
- Previous MIG welding experience in a production environment required.
- Previous robotic welding experience required.
- Demonstrated experience performing quality weld repairs required.
TRAVEL
- This position does not require any travel.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit, and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds without restrictions. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, and ability to adjust focus.
- Full-time Position
- PTO
- Health Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- Life Insurance
- Flex Spending Plan
- Health Savings Account
- Supplemental Insurance
- Short-Term Disability
- Long-Term Disability
- ESOP
- 401(k) w/match
Applicants should complete the form below. Resumes and applications can be sent or emailed to:
LDJ Manufacturing, Inc.
1833 Highway 163
Pella, IA 50219
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.