Manufacturing Weld Technician

Innovance, Inc.

Innovance is the holding company for a family of four, 100% employee-owned, Minnesota-based manufacturing companies (Lou-Rich, ALMCO, Panels Plus, Mass Finishing, Jorgensen). Our mission is to lead, nurture, and grow a team of industrial manufacturing companies committed to making our OEM customers’ products better.

About Lou-Rich

Lou-Rich is a fully integrated contract manufacturer specializing in complex projects. We provide precision machining, metal fabrication, assembly, and sourcing solutions to a variety of industries, including some of North America’s largest OEMs. Companies of all sizes from Fortune 500 companies to small, fast-growing operations trust Lou-Rich with their most vital and complex manufacturing projects.

Position Description:

Under the direction of the department supervisor, this person analyzes, organizes and defines welding production methods and processes required to manufacture new welded products of involved and complex design, utilizing established AWS reference standards and acceptable variations. Works with engineers to develop new procedures, tool designs, etc., where existing reference standards are not applicable. Works with production personnel to optimize existing welding methods and procedures. Program, implement, prove out and update, new and existing robotic weld programs utilizing offline programming and robotic teach pendants on the shop floor.  

Responsible for ensuring timely support to manufacturing for optimum equipment performance and maximum space utilization. Under general direction and through work orders, oral instructions, building plans and blueprints, perform a wide variety of general maintenance duties that could include, basic welding, electrical, and plumbing, as well as performing equipment and machine repair. Will assist in setup and operate a variety of welding machines and will fit or assemble parts to install or repair industrial equipment. Will determine the extent of repairs, modifications and installations needed and exercise judgment in selecting the materials, methods, techniques and procedures in completing projects.

Essential Functions:

• Prepares method instructions to include machine number and set-up procedure, tool lists, operation sequence, machine speeds and feeds, time standards, process routings, and other pertinent data. 
• Works from part and product drawings, manufacturing schedules, etc. 
• Programming of robotic weld cells and maintenance of programs. 
• Documents accepted methods and process in standard records for references. 
• Confers with the production supervisor on methods and problems and assists with resolving difficulties and delays. 
• Observes and analyzes operations, makes recommendations to improve methods, tooling, and simplify operations to improve product quality, shorten lead-times, or reduce manufacturing costs. 
• Prepares estimates of manufacturing costs. 
• Studies and records time, motion, methods, and speed involved in performance of production operations to establish standard production rate and to improve efficiency. 
• Prepares charts, graphs, and diagrams to illustrate workflow, routing, floor layouts, material handling, and machine capacity and utilization. 
• Observes workers operating equipment or performing tasks to determine time involved and fatigue rate, using stop watch, video, and similar equipment. 
• Recommends and implements revision of methods of operation or material handling, alterations in equipment layout, or other changes to increase production or improve standards.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

• Requires a high school diploma.
• Requires a two-year technical degree/certification or equivalent job experience.
• Requires a high level of knowledge of design processes, manufacturing processes, fixtures, tooling, machine operation, machine setups, and computers.
• Requires four years of experience as a welder.
• Requires ability to travel to support customer needs and asses supplier equipment.

This description reflects the principal functions of the job for the purpose of job evaluation. It should not be construed as a detailed description of all work requirements of the job nor shall be construed as giving exclusive responsibility for every function described. 

Lou-Rich Training Requirements:

• Applicable training will be completed by following the syllabi (Human Resources, Safety, IFS - Timeclock, IFS - Navigation, ISO) for each new hire and that will be verified by the Employee Orientation & Job Qualification form within the first 60 days of employment. Additional applicable training will be completed by following the individual’s assigned department training matrix, Press Room (F4400-041).
• Follow training syllabus (Technical from above list). Effectiveness of training guidelines will be determined by employee knowledge and demonstration of learned concepts. Additional training after the first several weeks of on the job training will be determined by the Supervisor in preparation to operate on their own as needed. Any follow up training will be evaluated and provided at the 60 day review or as deemed necessary for the position.

Physical Demands:

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 use hands or fingers, reach, bend, twist, lifting up to 30 lbs., and talk and hear.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those and employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Americans with Disabilities Act:

If you are a qualified individual with a disability, you have a right to request that the Authority make reasonable accommodations in order to help you accomplish your work, which must still be performed in all essential functions.