Welding Manufacturing Engineer

Job description

Engineering moves at software speed. Manufacturing doesn't. Yet. Machina Labs is changing that. We build intelligent, software-defined factories that produce complex metal structures directly from digital design. By integrating advanced metal forming, robotics, and automated production inside a flexible factory architecture, we enable customers to move from prototype to production in weeks, not years. Backed by Lockheed Martin, Toyota, and NVIDIA, we're building the manufacturing infrastructure that defense, aerospace, and advanced mobility programs will run on. If you want to work on hard problems that matter and see them fly, drive, and defend, this is the place. ### Job Description: The **Welding Manufacturing Engineer** is responsible for applying advanced engineering principles to design, develop, validate, and continuously improve welding systems, manufacturing methods, tooling, and production processes supporting Machina Labs' manufacturing operations. This role serves as the technical authority for welding engineering initiatives, independently evaluating complex manufacturing challenges and developing engineering solutions that improve quality, manufacturability, throughput, and production scalability. The Welding Manufacturing Engineer collaborates closely with Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Production, and Supply Chain to develop robust manufacturing processes, establish engineering standards, and ensure products are designed and manufactured in accordance with customer, regulatory, and company requirements. This position exercises independent judgment in evaluating technical alternatives, implementing engineering solutions, and supporting new product introduction through full-rate production. This position requires access to information controlled under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) or the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). The successful candidate must meet the U.S. person requirements as defined by ITAR and EAR regulations. ### Key Responsibilities: - Design, develop, and optimize welding processes, tooling, fixtures, and manufacturing methods for prototype and production environments. - Apply engineering principles to evaluate manufacturability, welding performance, structural integrity, quality, cost, and production efficiency. - Develop, validate, and implement welding processes for complex metallic assemblies, including structural and production hardware. - Perform engineering analysis to identify manufacturing risks and develop technical solutions that improve product quality, repeatability, and throughput. - Lead the design and qualification of weld tooling, fixtures, and production equipment to support manufacturing scalability. - Develop engineering specifications, process documentation, work instructions, and manufacturing standards that support consistent production. - Create and maintain welding procedures and engineering documentation in support of quality management systems and AS9100 certification requirements. - Analyze production data, process capability, and manufacturing metrics to drive continuous improvement initiatives. - Conduct root cause investigations of manufacturing and weld quality issues and implement corrective and preventive engineering solutions. - Collaborate with Product Design Engineering to provide Design for Manufacturability (DFM) recommendations during product development. - Evaluate and recommend new manufacturing technologies, welding equipment, automation, and capital improvements. - Participate in engineering design reviews, manufacturing readiness reviews, and production planning activities. - Support qualification testing, process validation, first article inspections, and engineering change implementation. - Review engineering drawings, models, specifications, and technical documentation to ensure manufacturability and compliance with engineering standards. - Provide technical leadership and engineering guidance to manufacturing, production, and quality teams regarding welding processes and best practices. - Exercise independent engineering judgment in selecting manufacturing methods, resolving technical issues, and recommending process improvements. \*This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required for this role. Duties and responsibilities may change based on business needs. ### Required Background & Experience: - Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Welding Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or another related engineering discipline. - 3+ years of manufacturing or welding engineering experience supporting production environments. - Experience developing manufacturing processes using sound engineering principles. - Strong knowledge of AWS D17.1 or comparable welding specifications and engineering standards. - Experience designing weld tooling, fixtures, and manufacturing equipment. - Proficiency with CAD software such as SolidWorks, Creo, Siemens NX, CATIA, or similar engineering design platforms. - Experience creating engineering documentation, manufacturing specifications, and technical work instructions. - Ability to perform engineering analysis and independently solve complex manufacturing problems. - Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to present technical recommendations to cross-functional teams. ### Preferred Qualifications: - Experience supporting aerospace, defense, robotics, or advanced manufacturing environments. - Experience with robotic welding, laser welding, automated welding systems, and advanced joining technologies. - Experience with structural weldments, pressure vessels, tanks, or large fabricated assemblies. - Experience supporting AS9100, ISO 9001, or similar quality management systems. - Working knowledge of GD&T and Design for Manufacturability (DFM). - Experience with PFMEA, process validation, statistical process control, and root cause analysis. - Experience with ERP/MRP systems and engineering change management. - Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and Value Stream Mapping. ### Physical/Work Environment: - Work is performed in both engineering office and manufacturing environments. - Ability to work directly with manufacturing equipment and production hardware. - Ability to use common engineering inspection equipment including calipers, micrometers, height gauges, and other precision measurement tools. - Ability to stand, walk, bend, reach, and occasionally lift up to 40 pounds.