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
Skills Required
- 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 a related technical field, focused on automation and digital technologies, with demonstrated AI and data-driven manufacturing or operational experience.
- Experience applying artificial intelligence, large language models, digital automation, or intelligent workflow technologies to practical challenges.
- Strong understanding of manufacturing, engineering, operations, and industrial processes.
- Experience evaluating inefficient workflows and developing scalable automated or digital solutions.
- Ability to translate manufacturing and operational requirements into technical solutions and bridge 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.
- Ability to independently lead technical projects from opportunity identification through prototyping, implementation, validation, and adoption.
- Understanding of data quality, information security, traceability, validation, and human oversight for 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.
- Experience using Claude or other enterprise AI platforms.
- Experience with LLMs, foundation models, 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 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 involving sensitive, proprietary, or controlled technical information.
Ichor Systems, Inc. Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Ichor Systems, Inc. and has not been reviewed or approved by Ichor Systems, Inc..
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Affordable Benefits — A premium‑free medical plan fully covered by the employer is available for eligible U.S. employees, with indications of premium‑free family coverage in some contexts. Coverage breadth includes medical, dental, vision, and tax‑advantaged HSA/FSA options.
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Retirement Support — A 401(k) match of 50% on the first 8% with immediate vesting supports long‑term savings. Life and disability insurance further reinforce financial protection.
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Equity Value & Accessibility — An Employee Stock Purchase Plan at a 15% discount enables broad participation in ownership. Plan availability is described as global, subject to standard plan terms.
Ichor Systems, Inc. Insights
What We Do
We are a leader in the design, engineering, and manufacturing of critical fluid delivery subsystems and components for semiconductor capital equipment. Our product offerings include gas and chemical delivery systems and subsystems, collectively known as fluid delivery systems and subsystems, which are key elements of the process tools used in the manufacturing of semiconductor devices. Our gas delivery subsystems deliver, monitor, and control precise quantities of the specialized gases used in semiconductor manufacturing processes such as etch and deposition. Our chemical delivery systems and subsystems precisely blend and dispense the reactive liquid chemistries used in semiconductor manufacturing processes such as chemical-mechanical planarization, electroplating, and cleaning. We also provide precision-machined components, weldments, e‑beam and laser-welded components, precision vacuum and hydrogen brazing and surface treatment technologies, and other proprietary products. This vertically integrated portion of our business is primarily focused on metal and plastic parts that are used in gas and chemical systems, respectively. We are strategically located to provide the highest level of customer service and support from our program management, sales, engineering, and executive management teams. Ichor is headquartered in Fremont, California, and we have production facilities in California, Oregon, Texas, Nevada, Minnesota, Singapore, Malaysia, Korea, Mexico, and the UK, staffed by our 2000+ team members.
