Automation Lead - Robotic & Automated Fabrication Cells

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Job Title: Automation Lead – Robotic & Automated Fabrication Cells (Pipe Fabrication & Modular Manufacturing)

Location: Duncan, SC

Reports To: Production Manager (dotted line to Sr. Engineering Manager)

Job Type: Full-time

Job Summary: We are seeking a hands-on, technically strong Automation Lead. The Automation Lead is the shop floor champion for our robotic and automated fabrication cells and owns their performance, uptime, and day-to-day health. This role trains new operators, leads preventive maintenance, manages the software interface and file workflows that feed the cells, and serves as the primary technical contact with equipment OEMs for troubleshooting and support.

Reporting to the Production Manager with a dotted line to the Sr. Engineering Manager, the Automation Lead bridges production and engineering, making sure drawings, programs, and data flow cleanly into the cells and that the equipment delivers predictable throughput and quality. This person will play a key role in getting full value from our automation investments as the company grows.

Key Responsibilities:

Equipment Ownership & Uptime

- Serve as the hands-on owner and champion of all robotic and automated cells, accountable for availability, performance, and quality output.

- Own cell uptime by tracking downtime, root causes, and utilization metrics, and report results and trends to the Production Manager.

- Act as first responder to cell faults and breakdowns, diagnosing issues and restoring production quickly.

- Maintain a critical spare parts and consumables list and coordinate purchasing with Procurement to minimize downtime.

Preventive Maintenance

- Develop, schedule, and execute preventive maintenance plans based on OEM recommendations, including consumables, calibration, and tool center point checks.

- Keep accurate maintenance logs and equipment history for each cell.

- Coordinate planned maintenance windows with Production to limit schedule impact.

Software Interface & File Management

- Understand and manage the cell software interface, including offline programming, job and part libraries, and process parameter sets.

- Manage the file formats and data exchange that drive the cells (e.g., spool isometrics, PCF files from piping design software, DXF/STEP models, and robot or CNC job files) and ensure the correct revision reaches the floor.

- Work with Engineering and detailers to make sure design outputs are formatted for the cell, and resolve file translation and import issues.

- Maintain backups of robot programs, configurations, and software versions, and coordinate updates with the OEM and IT.

Operator Training & Development

- Train and qualify new operators on safe operation, setup, programming basics, and first-level troubleshooting.

- Develop SOPs, setup sheets, and quick-reference guides for each cell.

- Maintain a training matrix of qualified operators by cell and build bench strength across shifts.

OEM & Engineering Collaboration

- Serve as the primary technical contact with OEMs and integrators for troubleshooting, service calls, warranty claims, software updates, and upgrades.

- Communicate issues to the OEM clearly and with supporting data such as fault codes, logs, and video to speed resolution.

- Partner with the Sr. Engineering Manager on new equipment evaluation, cell layout, process improvements, and capital requests.

- Identify opportunities to expand automated content and improve cell throughput.

Safety & Quality

- Enforce robotic cell safety, including guarding, interlocks, light curtains, lockout/tagout, and safe work zones.

- Partner with Quality to ensure cell output meets applicable welding procedures and code requirements (e.g., ASME B31.3, ASME BPE where applicable).

Qualifications & Skills:

Technical Skills

- Associate’s degree or technical certificate in automation, robotics, mechatronics, industrial maintenance, or welding technology, or equivalent work experience.

- 4+ years of hands-on experience operating, programming, or maintaining industrial robots or automated fabrication equipment (e.g., FANUC, ABB, Yaskawa, KUKA, or pipe-specific welding and cutting systems).

- Working knowledge of teach-pendant and offline robot programming, PLC/HMI basics, sensors, and safety circuits.

- Comfortable working with CAD and model file formats and transferring data to robotic or CNC equipment.

- Ability to read fabrication drawings, spool isometrics, and welding symbols.

- Strong mechanical and electrical troubleshooting skills, including reading schematics and using test equipment.

- Welding experience, AWS certification, or OEM training certifications a plus.

Professional Attributes

- Owner’s mindset who treats the cells as their own and takes pride in uptime

- Patient, structured trainer who builds operator confidence and capability

- Data-driven problem solver who digs to root cause rather than just resetting faults

- Technically credible communicator with OEMs, engineers, and operators

- Comfortable on an active shop floor and willing to flex hours when a cell is down

Benefits:

- Competitive salary and performance-based incentives.

- Health, dental, and vision insurance.

- 401(k) with company match.

Paid time off and company holidays

Why Join Kelso Industries?

Join us and be part of a team dedicated to creating efficient, sustainable, and high-performance environments that make a lasting impact across the industrial, commercial, and institutional sectors.

Here you will experience:

Growth Opportunities: Develop new skills, take on exciting challenges, and advance your career in meaningful ways.

Company Culture: You’ll thrive in an environment that supports your growth, values your contributions, and makes work fulfilling and enjoyable.

Impact: Your work directly contributes to meaningful outcomes, allowing you to see the difference you make and feel a sense of purpose every day.

Competitive Compensation & Benefits: You’ll be rewarded fairly for your contributions while enjoying perks that enhance your financial security, health, and overall well-being.

Kelso Industries celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We do not discriminate in any aspect of employment based on race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, age, veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local employment discrimination laws where Kelso does business