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At 1872 AI, we are transforming industrial manufacturing in the United States by building AI-native factories capable of lights-out production—from CAD to finished part with minimal human input. Our initial focus targets the energy and infrastructure sectors—power generation, grid infrastructure, and compute facilities—where critical supply chain bottlenecks in steel fabrication are limiting growth.

About the Role

You will be the technical architect of our production process — defining the 1872 Standard — and responsible for validating, optimizing, and continuously improving AI-driven automated welding cells, cutting and bending systems, fixturing, and quality loops so CAD files become code-compliant, finished parts with minimal human intervention.

We are not looking for a traditional welding engineer or code compliance specialist. We are looking for a production-minded systems builder who can translate first-principles engineering into stable, autonomous manufacturing processes. You should be comfortable questioning legacy practices and rebuilding processes from the ground up using data, experimentation, and structured validation.

• Primary Interfaces: Automated Welding System partners, Automation & Controls Engineers, Production Technicians, Customer Engineering teams
• Key Metrics: First Pass Yield, Cycle Time, Uptime, Weld Quality, Lead Time
• Key Systems/Tools: AI-driven welding systems, robotic welding cells, CNC laser/plasma cutting, press brakes, CAD/3D modeling, in-line vision inspection, Python/SQL/Excel for data analysis, SPC tools, AWS/ASME/AWS code compliance tools

Key Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end process development from CAD production: define process requirements, validate systems, and release production-ready cells and fixtures.
• Develop and validate welding procedures (WPS/PQR), plasma/laser cutting parameters, and bending tolerances for varied steel grades and thicknesses to ensure AI systems can execute reliably.
• Monitor and validate automated/robotic equipment parameters, providing feedback to optimize quality, speed, and consistency across production runs.
• Partner with customer engineering teams to refactor their product designs for automated manufacturing—simplifying geometry to maximize robot reach and minimize cycle time (DFM).
• Define and implement the automated quality control loop: in-process inspection points, sensor/vision selection, weld monitoring strategies, SPC, and closed-loop feedback to prevent defects exiting the cell.
• Analyze machine data and quality trends to identify root causes of defects, micro-stoppages, and process drift, then implement corrective actions to enable true unattended production.
• Design and iterate on modular tooling/fixturing strategies that allow for rapid changeovers between high-mix, low-volume part runs while maintaining tight tolerances for AI systems.
• Collaborate with system vendors and internal engineering teams to accept and certify systems, troubleshoot performance gaps, and drive continuous improvement of autonomous capabilities.
• Document your process parameters, validation results, and optimization workflows into the "1872 Manufacturing OS," ensuring that proven processes can be instantly deployed to future factories.
• Spend substantial time (50%) on the production floor—coaching technicians, debugging systems in real time, and translating shop-floor learning into durable process improvements.

Base Qualifications

• 5–15 years in Manufacturing Engineering within high-automation, high-precision production environments (aerospace, automotive, advanced fabrication, heavy equipment, or similar). Deep exposure to welding processes is required; pure code-compliance or laboratory-focused experience is not sufficient.
• Expertise in welding metallurgy (GMAW, FCAW, Laser) and ASME/AWS code requirements with understanding of how process parameters affect weld quality; experience developing WPS/PQR.
• Practical, pragmatic approach with willingness to spend 50% of time on the floor, troubleshooting systems and working directly with production teams to solve real-time issues
• Strong problem solving with demonstrated ability to perform root cause analysis and implement corrective actions that stick.
• Excellent communication — can translate between CAD/engineering, automation vendors, and production technicians.

We consider equivalent experience. If you meet most of the requirements, apply.

Preferred Qualifications

• Significant hands-on experience in Manufacturing or Welding Engineering, with exposure to structural steel fabrication (or closely related: heavy equipment, power generation, aerospace, automotive).
• Demonstrated experience validating and optimizing automated/robotic welding systems for process stability and quality, including prior work in a high-automation or lights-out environment.
• Data-driven mindset with comfort using Python, SQL, or Excel to analyze production data, identify trends, and drive process improvements
• Hands-on experience with Statistical Process Control (SPC), automated inspection systems, process monitoring, and closed-loop feedback for manufacturing.
• Moderate understanding and knowledge of NDE (Non-Destructive Examination) requirements for AWS D1.1 MIG welding
• Experience designing modular fixtures/quick-change tooling for high-mix manufacturing.

You are likely a strong fit if you:

• Have redesigned or rebuilt a production process from first principles
• Prefer data and experimentation over how its always been done
• Are comfortable being challenged technically and revising your approach based on evidence
• Enjoy spending substantial time on the production floor solving live problems
• Have operated in fast-paced, high-accountability manufacturing environments

Why Join

• What you'll build first: Qualified weld procedures for AI-driven robotic cells, validated process parameters, automated quality control systems, fixtures optimized for autonomous production, feedback loops that continuously improve system performance
• Impact: You provide the manufacturing intelligence that allows AI systems to handle real-world variance, turning cutting-edge technology into repeatable quality. By proving our automated processes meet strict code requirements, you unlock high-value contracts with hyperscalers and utility providers.
• Growth: The process data and validation frameworks you create train our core AI models, making every future factory smarter and faster. Direct path to Principal Manufacturing Engineer or Manufacturing Engineering leadership roles as we scale to multiple factories.

How to Apply

Fill out our application form and see what we can build together! Please include:

• Resume or LinkedIn profile
• Examples of welding procedures you've developed, process validations you've performed, or optimization projects where you improved automated system performance

This role is based on-site in Cincinnati, OH and is not open to remote work.

1872 AI is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We are committed to building a diverse team and encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply. To request a reasonable accommodation during the application process, please contact recruiting@1872.ai.

This position may be subject to a background check in accordance with applicable law. A criminal record will not automatically disqualify a candidate from consideration.