Job Title: Manufacturing Weld EngineerJob DescriptionThis Manufacturing Weld Engineer role focuses on leading the industrialization of welded products and processes from concept through production launch and stabilization in a low-to-mid-volume, high-mix manufacturing environment. You will design and validate welding processes, specify and implement robotic and manual welding equipment, and drive continuous improvement in safety, quality, throughput, and cost. The position combines hands-on shop floor work with engineering design, project management, and close collaboration with cross-functional teams and external suppliers.
Responsibilities
- Lead assigned engineering projects and manage the manufacturing industrialization of new welded products and programs from initial process concept through equipment and tooling development, installation, process validation, production launch, and stabilization.
- Establish and validate manufacturing cycle times, process capacity, labor requirements, equipment utilization, and production assumptions, and compare actual performance against quoted program expectations.
- Identify and implement process, equipment, or workflow improvements when actual performance differs from planned performance to ensure targets for safety, quality, throughput, and cost are met.
- Develop detailed technical specifications and requirements for welding equipment, robotic welding systems, tooling, and fixtures to support new and existing manufacturing processes.
- Conceptualize and design manufacturing tooling, fixtures, equipment layouts, and process designs using SolidWorks, collaborating with internal resources and outside suppliers as needed.
- Work directly with equipment manufacturers, automation integrators, suppliers, and internal manufacturing teams to manage the scope, schedule, installation, commissioning, and validation of assigned equipment and automation projects.
- Review customer drawings and specifications to assess manufacturability, welding and process requirements, tooling and capital needs, and potential production risks.
- Provide technical support to Sales and Estimating for new business opportunities that involve welding, automation, tooling, or capital equipment, including input on process feasibility and cost drivers.
- Work hands-on on the shop floor to troubleshoot welding and automation equipment and processes, conduct trials, and support product launches and production startups through stabilization.
- Ensure that safety, quality, throughput, labor efficiency, and process performance objectives are achieved before transitioning primary process responsibility to Production.
- Develop, document, and improve manufacturing processes, work instructions, process controls, and technical documentation to ensure consistent and repeatable weld quality.
- Provide hands-on technical support and coaching to production, welding, maintenance, tooling, and quality personnel to resolve issues and improve performance.
- Identify root causes of weld, equipment, automation, tooling, and process problems and implement sustainable corrective actions using structured problem-solving methods.
- Support or lead WPS/PQR development and production support activities to ensure weld procedures meet applicable standards and customer requirements.
- Apply Lean manufacturing and continuous-improvement principles to drive process improvement, reduce waste, and enhance overall operational efficiency.
- Coordinate and support advanced robotic welding applications, including pulsed or spray-transfer GMAW, seam finding and tracking, and vision or laser sensing technologies.
- Manage multiple engineering projects simultaneously, maintaining clear priorities, accurate documentation, and consistent follow-through from concept to production.
- Travel domestically and internationally as needed to support equipment suppliers, integrators, and manufacturing facilities during equipment build, installation, and launch.
Essential Skills
- Bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Welding Engineering, Engineering Technology, or a related technical discipline, or an equivalent combination of technical education and relevant manufacturing experience.
- Five or more years of manufacturing or project engineering experience involving welding, industrial automation, production equipment, and manufacturing process development.
- Strong practical knowledge of GMAW welding and weld-quality troubleshooting in a production environment.
- Experience developing fixtures and tooling for welding, machining, assembly, and automation applications.
- Working knowledge of carbon and alloy steels, weld quality requirements, and applicable AWS standards.
- Demonstrated experience with manufacturing equipment specification, supplier and integrator coordination, installation, validation, and production launch.
- Ability to interpret engineering drawings, weld symbols, dimensional tolerances, and GD&T to ensure accurate manufacturing and inspection.
- Proficiency with SolidWorks for tooling, fixtures, and equipment layout design.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office products for documentation, analysis, and communication.
- Demonstrated experience with manufacturing problem solving, root-cause analysis, and corrective action methodologies such as 8D.
- Experience with manufacturing process development, process controls, standard work creation, and employee training.
- Working knowledge of Lean Manufacturing and continuous-improvement principles applied in a production setting.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities with minimal supervision while maintaining accuracy and follow-through.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills with attention to detail for effective collaboration with internal teams and external partners.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Experience with advanced robotic welding applications, including pulsed or spray-transfer GMAW, seam finding and tracking, vision or laser sensing, positioners, and coordinated-motion applications.
- Background in robotic welding and robotic process automation, including working with automation integrators and custom equipment suppliers.
- Hands-on experience with Panasonic robots and Miller welding equipment or similar robotic and welding platforms.
- Experience in high-volume or high-mix manufacturing environments, contract manufacturing, or job-shop settings, with low-to-mid-volume production preferred.
- Exposure to custom manufacturing equipment specification, build, and launch for welding and fabrication processes.
- Experience in industries such as agriculture, machinery, or precision fabrication is beneficial.
- Familiarity with MIG welding processes and fabrication in a production environment.
- Demonstrated success driving process improvement, Lean initiatives, and continuous-improvement projects.
- Experience supporting or leading WPS/PQR development and production implementation.
- Comfort working cross-functionally with engineering, production, maintenance, tooling, quality, sales, and estimating teams.
Work EnvironmentThe role is based in a manufacturing environment that combines engineering office work with frequent presence on the shop floor. You will work closely with welding, fabrication, machining, and assembly operations, including both manual and robotic welding cells. The position involves hands-on interaction with GMAW welding processes, robotic welding systems, custom tooling and fixtures, and production equipment. You will regularly use SolidWorks and Microsoft Office for design and documentation, while collaborating with equipment manufacturers and automation integrators during specification, build, installation, and commissioning phases. The environment emphasizes Lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, and structured problem solving, with a strong focus on safety, quality, and process stability. Some domestic and international travel may be required to visit suppliers, integrators, or other facilities to support equipment projects and product launches. Job Type & LocationThis is a Contract to Hire position based out of Franklin, WI. Pay and BenefitsThe pay range for this position is $55.00 - $70.00/hr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits
available for this temporary role may include the following:
Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave) Job Type & LocationThis is a Contract to Hire position based out of Franklin, WI. Application DeadlineThis position is anticipated to close on Nov 25, 2026. Workplace TypeThis is a fully onsite position in Franklin,WI.About Actalent
Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.
The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.
If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.
San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Massachusetts Lie Detector:
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):
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