Develops and deploys AI, automation, and intelligent manufacturing solutions to eliminate manual work, enable paperless operations, improve documentation and knowledge retrieval, optimize processes, and support inspection and analytics. The role builds LLM-powered applications, integrations, workflows, and proof-of-concepts; connects AI with manufacturing systems and equipment; validates accuracy, security, and traceability; leads implementation and adoption; trains users; and measures operational impact.
Position Summary
The Manufacturing AI & Automation Engineer is responsible for identifying, developing, and implementing artificial intelligence, digital automation, and intelligent manufacturing solutions across production and engineering operations.
This role will focus on using AI to eliminate manual and clerical work, improve access to manufacturing knowledge, accelerate process documentation, enable paperless factory initiatives, optimize manufacturing processes, and develop intelligent automation solutions for production operations.
The Manufacturing AI & Automation Engineer will design, build, and deploy intelligent applications using large language models, pre-trained foundation models, automation platforms, data pipelines, and manufacturing systems to automate workflows and solve complex operational problems.
Applications may include AI-assisted process documentation, intelligent document search and retrieval, automated engineering workflows, manufacturing knowledge management, process optimization, machining applications, automated inspection, production analytics, and factory automation.
The ideal candidate combines an understanding of manufacturing and engineering processes with practical experience applying AI and digital automation technologies to real-world problems.
Key Responsibilities
- Identify and lead opportunities to apply artificial intelligence, digital automation, and intelligent systems across manufacturing and engineering operations.
- Develop AI-enabled tools to automate repetitive engineering, manufacturing, quality, and clerical documentation activities.
- Develop solutions that support the transition toward a paperless factory, including digital workflows, electronic records, intelligent documentation, and automated information retrieval.
- Use AI to create, improve, standardize, and maintain work instructions, manufacturing procedures, process documentation, standard work, and other technical content.
- Develop intelligent search and knowledge-management systems that allow employees to quickly locate and retrieve relevant procedures, specifications, drawings, engineering documents, historical information, and manufacturing knowledge.
- Apply large language models and foundation models to manufacturing workflows using tools such as Claude and other enterprise AI platforms.
- Develop AI-assisted workflows that connect manufacturing information across systems and reduce manual data entry, document creation, transcription, searching, and administrative work.
- Identify opportunities to integrate AI with manufacturing equipment, automation systems, inspection processes, machining operations, and production data.
- Evaluate and implement AI applications for machine optimization, process parameter optimization, predictive analytics, anomaly detection, automated inspection, computer vision, and quality control.
- Identify opportunities for robotic, software, and digital process automation throughout manufacturing operations.
- Develop applications, scripts, integrations, or automated workflows connecting AI tools with manufacturing and business systems.
- Evaluate existing manufacturing processes and determine where AI or automation can improve cycle time, productivity, quality, cost, capacity, decision-making, and employee efficiency.
- Work with manufacturing, quality, operations, IT, and engineering teams to translate business and production problems into practical AI solutions.
- Develop proof-of-concept solutions and transition successful concepts into reliable production tools.
- Establish methods to validate AI-generated information and ensure appropriate accuracy, traceability, security, and human oversight.
- Develop standards and best practices for responsible use of AI within manufacturing and engineering operations.
- Train engineers, technicians, manufacturing personnel, and other users on newly implemented AI and automation tools.
- Track the effectiveness of implemented solutions and quantify improvements in productivity, quality, cost, and process efficiency.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Systems Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical discipline.
- 5–10 years of engineering experience in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Systems Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field, with a strong focus on automation and digital technologies and demonstrated experience applying AI and data-driven solutions to manufacturing, engineering, or operational environments.
- Experience applying artificial intelligence, large language models (LLMs), digital automation, or intelligent workflow technologies to practical engineering or business challenges.
- Strong understanding of manufacturing, engineering, operations, and industrial processes, with the ability to identify opportunities for process improvement and automation.
- Experience evaluating manual or inefficient workflows and developing scalable automated or digital solutions.
- Ability to translate manufacturing and operational requirements into effective technical solutions and bridge communication between engineering, manufacturing, operations, quality, and IT teams.
- Experience working with structured and unstructured data, technical documentation, and enterprise information systems.
- Strong analytical and structured problem-solving skills, with the ability to evaluate emerging technologies and identify practical, high-value applications.
- Demonstrated ability to independently lead technical projects from opportunity identification and concept development through prototyping, implementation, validation, and adoption.
- Understanding of data quality, information security, traceability, validation, and human oversight when implementing AI and automation solutions.
- Ability to evaluate and quantify the operational and business impact of AI, automation, and process-improvement initiatives.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate technical concepts effectively across technical and non-technical teams.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience using Claude or other enterprise AI platforms in professional or manufacturing applications.
- Experience developing solutions using LLMs, foundation models, retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), AI agents, APIs, or enterprise AI platforms.
- Proficiency with Python, SQL, APIs, scripting, or low-code/no-code automation platforms.
- Experience integrating AI or automation solutions with MES, ERP, QMS, PLM, document management, or other manufacturing systems.
- Experience leading manufacturing workflow automation, digital transformation, paperless manufacturing, or digital work-instruction initiatives.
- Experience applying AI, machine learning, data analytics, or computer vision to manufacturing processes, inspection, equipment performance, or process optimization.
- Experience with machining, CNC processes, robotics, industrial automation, machine connectivity, or smart manufacturing technologies.
- Familiarity with Lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, continuous improvement, or process optimization methodologies.
- Experience deploying AI solutions within enterprise environments involving sensitive, proprietary, or controlled technical information.
About Us
Ichor is an experienced leader in the critical subsystems and turnkey process equipment marketplace. Our capabilities enable the design and creation of a complete outsourced solution ranging from product concept to turnkey manufacturing to legacy service.
Ichor offers world-class process engineering, value added manufacturing, materials management and testing capabilities. Our 1500+ employees are strategically located to provide our customers with the highest level of customer service and support from our program management, sales, engineering, and executive management teams.
Our continued expansion of capabilities in South East Asia better aligns our production facilities with our customers' supply chain strategies. This further enables our expansion into new products and markets.
Ichor is headquartered in Fremont, California with manufacturing locations in Oregon, Texas, Singapore, Malaysia and the UK. Our sales and engineering office is strategically located in Silicon Valley, California.
About the Team
Ichor is the experienced leader in the critical subsystems and turnkey process equipment marketplace. Our capabilities enable the design and creation of a complete outsourced solution ranging from product concept to manufacturing to legacy service. Ichor offers world-class process engineering, manufacturing, materials management, and testing capabilities. Our 1,400+ employees worldwide are strategically located to provide our customers with the highest level of customer service and support from our program management, sales, engineering, and executive management teams. We have a friendly, business-oriented environment and offer a comprehensive benefits plan that includes, medical, dental, vision, health savings account, paid time off, life insurance, short term disability and 401K with generous employer match.
Ichor Systems provides equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, Ichor Systems will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.
Ichor Systems, Inc. Austin, Texas, USA Office
Austin, United States
Similar Jobs
eCommerce • Fashion • Retail • Sales • Wearables • Design
Serves as a front-line Coach brand ambassador by delivering personalized luxury retail experiences, building client relationships, styling customers, driving sales through upselling and cross-selling, and meeting individual and store KPIs. Uses POS, mobile clienteling, and social selling tools while supporting transactions, inventory processing, replenishment, visual merchandising, stockroom organization, and online pickups. Requires flexible scheduling, teamwork, strong communication, and the ability to lift and maneuver merchandise.
Top Skills:
IpadLaptopLive-Stream Shopping ToolsMobile PosPosShort-Form VideoSocial Selling PlatformsWalkie-Talkie
Insurance • Financial Services
Provide first-tier remote customer support via phone, email, and written correspondence. Resolve inquiries promptly, meet quality and performance metrics, handle escalations, use multiple systems and Microsoft Office, and support team and company initiatives.
Top Skills:
InternetExcelMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft Word
Financial Services
Plans and executes operational activities, establishes priorities and performance measures, manages operating cadences, prepares executive reporting, coordinates stakeholders, maintains action logs and controls, and improves processes. The role also supports communications with borrowers, insurance partners, and risk teams while handling urgent requests and identifying opportunities for AI and automation.
Top Skills:
Ai AutomationExcelMicrosoft PowerpointMicrosoft ProjectMicrosoft SharepointMicrosoft VisioMicrosoft Word
What you need to know about the Austin Tech Scene
Austin has a diverse and thriving tech ecosystem thanks to home-grown companies like Dell and major campuses for IBM, AMD and Apple. The state’s flagship university, the University of Texas at Austin, is known for its engineering school, and the city is known for its annual South by Southwest tech and media conference. Austin’s tech scene spans many verticals, but it’s particularly known for hardware, including semiconductors, as well as AI, biotechnology and cloud computing. And its food and music scene, low taxes and favorable climate has made the city a destination for tech workers from across the country.
Key Facts About Austin Tech
- Number of Tech Workers: 180,500; 13.7% of overall workforce (2024 CompTIA survey)
- Major Tech Employers: Dell, IBM, AMD, Apple, Alphabet
- Key Industries: Artificial intelligence, hardware, cloud computing, software, healthtech
- Funding Landscape: $4.5 billion in VC funding in 2024 (Pitchbook)
- Notable Investors: Live Oak Ventures, Austin Ventures, Hinge Capital, Gigafund, KdT Ventures, Next Coast Ventures, Silverton Partners
- Research Centers and Universities: University of Texas, Southwestern University, Texas State University, Center for Complex Quantum Systems, Oden Institute for Computational Engineering and Sciences, Texas Advanced Computing Center
