Job Description

The Mechanical Fabricator and Technician supports the fabrication, assembly, installation, and servicing of custom automated and robotic systems. This is a hands-on position involving MIG and TIG welding, mechanical fabrication, equipment assembly, painting, machining, installation, troubleshooting, and repair.

The position works closely with mechanical engineers, controls engineers, electricians, technicians, and other team members to build custom industrial equipment from mechanical drawings and technical specifications. Work is performed at our Birmingham facility and at customer locations, with approximately 15% travel required as necessary for equipment installation, startup, troubleshooting, and support.

Successful candidates will demonstrate strong mechanical aptitude, welding and fabrication experience, attention to detail, and a commitment to safe, efficient, and high-quality work. The ideal candidate is self-motivated, organized, capable of working both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team, and able to manage multiple assignments.

Primary Responsibilities

Welding and Mechanical Fabrication

• Perform MIG and TIG welding on mild steel, stainless steel, and occasionally aluminum.
• Fabricate components and assemblies according to mechanical drawings, specifications, and project requirements.
• Fit, tack, weld, grind, and finish fabricated parts and assemblies.
• Prepare and paint fabricated parts, frames, components, and equipment assemblies.
• Inspect completed welds and fabricated components for quality, fit, and conformance to specifications.
• Identify fabrication issues and work with the engineering team to determine appropriate corrections.
• Maintain welding and fabrication tools in safe, working condition.

Mechanical Assembly

• Read and interpret mechanical blueprints, assembly drawings, technical drawings, and schematics.
• Assemble custom automated equipment, robotic systems, frames, guarding, fixtures, conveyors, and other mechanical components.
• Use hand tools, power tools, and precision measuring equipment to assemble mechanical systems to specification.
• Install and align bearings, shafts, belts, gears, sprockets, couplings, linear components, cylinders, valves, sensors, guards, and related equipment.
• Verify equipment fit, alignment, movement, and function throughout the assembly process.
• Identify incorrect dimensions, interferences, fitment problems, missing components, and other assembly concerns.
• Communicate mechanical and design issues clearly to engineers and other project team members.

Machining and Component Modification

• Use manual machining equipment to modify and produce parts according to project requirements.
• Perform basic drilling, tapping, cutting, grinding, fitting, and other part-modification activities.
• Use precision measuring tools to verify dimensions and tolerances.
• Modify existing components when necessary to support assembly, installation, repair, or design revisions.
• Follow drawings, specifications, and engineering direction when machining or modifying components.

Prototype and Engineering Support

• Work alongside mechanical engineers, controls engineers, electricians, and other technicians during the assembly of prototype and custom equipment.
• Build equipment from initial concept models, drawings, and design revisions.
• Provide practical feedback regarding ease of assembly, component fit, serviceability, and potential design improvements.
• Assist with functional testing and documentation of prototype and early-stage equipment.
• Support equipment modifications resulting from testing, customer feedback, or engineering revisions.
• Recommend improvements to build processes, part designs, tooling, and equipment reliability.

Equipment Installation and Field Support

• Support the installation of mechanical systems at Automation Solutions and customer facilities.
• Travel to customer sites as necessary, approximately 15%, to support equipment installation, startup, troubleshooting, repair, and post-delivery service.
• Install machine frames, components, guarding, fixtures, conveyors, and other mechanical assemblies according to site plans and technical instructions.
• Align, level, anchor, adjust, and verify installed equipment.
• Test equipment movement, fit, and function under simulated or operating conditions.
• Participate in machine startup, tuning, testing, and functional verification.
• Work with engineers, electricians, controls personnel, and customer representatives to achieve complete system readiness.
• Represent Automation Solutions professionally while working at customer facilities.

Troubleshooting and Repairs

• Diagnose mechanical failures and implement corrective actions.
• Inspect mechanical components for wear, damage, misalignment, looseness, interference, or other potential failure conditions.
• Identify root causes by evaluating mechanical wear, stress points, equipment movement, and system performance.
• Repair or replace components such as belts, chains, gears, bearings, bushings, shafts, valves, cylinders, seals, fasteners, and related mechanical parts.
• Make mechanical adjustments and modifications to improve system operation and reliability.
• Validate completed repairs through testing and communicate results to the engineering team.
• Document repairs, modifications, and unresolved technical concerns.

Collaboration and Communication

• Report to the Mechanical Engineering Manager regarding daily priorities, assignments, and technical direction.
• Receive project-specific direction from members of the Automation Solutions management and engineering teams as needed.
• Collaborate with mechanical engineering, controls engineering, project management, sales, fabrication, and installation personnel.
• Communicate directly with customers when necessary to understand concerns, address equipment issues, and provide high-quality service.
• Participate in team meetings, project discussions, safety briefings, and process-improvement initiatives.
• Provide timely updates regarding project progress, material shortages, fabrication concerns, schedule risks, and technical issues.
• Participate in cross-training and skill-development activities as needed.

Safety and Housekeeping

• Maintain a safe, clean, and organized work environment.
• Follow company safety procedures and applicable OSHA requirements related to personal protective equipment, welding, tools, machinery, material handling, and mechanical work.
• Participate in safety briefings and promptly report hazards, incidents, damaged equipment, and unsafe conditions.
• Properly maintain, inspect, and store tools and equipment.
• Keep fabrication, assembly, and work areas clean and organized.
• Assist with general housekeeping duties, including organizing parts and materials, removing trash, and sweeping floors.
• Wear required personal protective equipment and follow customer-specific safety requirements while working at customer facilities.

Qualifications

Education

• Associate degree or technical training in Welding, Mechanical Technology, Industrial Maintenance, Mechatronics, or a related field is preferred.
• Relevant hands-on fabrication, welding, assembly, or industrial-maintenance experience may be considered in place of formal education.

Required Experience

• At least two years of hands-on experience in mechanical fabrication, welding, equipment assembly, industrial maintenance, or a related environment.
• Experience performing MIG and TIG welding on mild steel and stainless steel.
• Experience reading and interpreting mechanical drawings, blueprints, and technical specifications.
• Experience using hand tools, power tools, fabrication equipment, and precision measuring instruments.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and familiarity with fasteners, bearings, shafts, belts, gears, and common fabrication and assembly practices.
• Ability to diagnose mechanical problems and implement effective repairs or corrective actions.
• Willingness and ability to perform hands-on fabrication, assembly, installation, and repair work.

Preferred Experience

• Experience in a custom machine-building, systems-integration, industrial automation, manufacturing, or robotic-equipment environment.
• Experience fabricating or assembling custom industrial machinery.
• Experience welding aluminum.
• Experience preparing and painting fabricated components and equipment.
• Experience operating manual machining equipment.
• Experience with equipment installation, alignment, startup, and field service.
• Basic knowledge of pneumatic and hydraulic systems.
• Familiarity with mechanical power-transmission components and systems.
• Experience troubleshooting and repairing industrial machinery.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong welding, fabrication, assembly, and mechanical troubleshooting skills.
• Ability to interpret mechanical drawings and translate technical information into completed assemblies.
• Ability to perform accurate work while maintaining attention to quality, detail, and efficiency.
• Ability to use tape measures, calipers, micrometers, levels, squares, and other measuring and alignment tools.
• Ability to communicate clearly with engineers, technicians, customers, and other project stakeholders.
• Ability to manage multiple assignments and adjust priorities based on project needs.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Dependable, self-motivated, and willing to take ownership of assigned work.
• Willingness to learn new processes, equipment, and technical skills.

Travel and Field-Service Requirements

• Willingness and ability to travel approximately 15%, as necessary, based on project and customer requirements.
• Travel may include customer-site visits for equipment installation, startup, alignment, troubleshooting, repair, and post-delivery support.
• Some projects may require overnight travel.
• Travel frequency and duration may vary depending on project schedules and customer needs.
• Ability to work at industrial and manufacturing facilities while following customer-specific safety, security, and access requirements.
• Possess and maintain a valid U.S. driver’s license and a driving record acceptable under company requirements.

Certifications

The following certifications are preferred but not required:

• OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 certification.
• Forklift or powered industrial truck operator certification.
• Aerial lift or mobile elevated work platform certification.
• Relevant welding, mechanical, equipment-manufacturer, or safety certifications.

Additional Employment Requirements

• Ability to pass applicable background checks.
• Ability to pass pre-employment and random drug screenings.
• Ability to comply with company and customer safety requirements.
• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment.

Physical Requirements

The physical requirements listed below are representative of those required to perform the essential functions of the position:

• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to stand and work on your feet for extended periods.
• Ability to bend, reach, climb, kneel, crouch, and work in positions necessary to assemble and install industrial equipment.
• Ability to safely use welding equipment, fabrication machinery, hand tools, power tools, and precision measuring equipment.
• Ability to work safely around industrial machinery, automated equipment, welding operations, and manufacturing processes.
• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Why Join Automation Solutions?

• Build diverse custom automation and robotic systems rather than performing repetitive production work.
• Participate in projects from fabrication and initial assembly through testing, installation, and customer startup.
• Develop valuable skills in welding, fabrication, machining, mechanical assembly, troubleshooting, automation, and industrial equipment installation.
• Work alongside experienced engineers, technicians, electricians, fabricators, and automation professionals.
• Provide practical input that can improve equipment designs, assembly processes, and system reliability.
• Solve challenging, real-world mechanical and manufacturing problems.
• Receive stable, full-time employment with opportunities for professional development and growth.
• See the equipment you help fabricate and assemble become fully functioning production systems.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Automation Solutions and Livingston & Haven consider all qualified applicants without regard to age, race, color, national origin, sex, religion, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other status protected by applicable law.

You should be proficient in:

• Mechanical Troubleshooting Skills
• OSHA 10-Hour Certification (OSHA 10)
• Pneumatics Troubleshooting
• Maintenance and Repair Skills
• Field Service Readiness
• CNC Machine Setup & Changeover
• Mechanical Systems & Component Repair
• Crane & Lifting Equipment Systems
• Lockout/Tagout (LOTO)
• Equipment Installation