Fabrication Shop Manager

Overview

At Path Robotics, we’re building the future of embodied intelligence. Our AI-driven systems enable robots to adapt, learn, and perform in the real world closing the skilled labor gap and transforming industries. We go beyond traditional methods, combining perception, reasoning, and control to deliver field-ready AI that is risk-aware, reliable, and continuously improving through real-world use.

Big, hard problems are our everyday work, and our team of intelligent, humble, and driven people make the impossible possible together.

The Fabrication Shop Manager is responsible for leading day-to-day operations of the fabrication shop, managing welders and machinists, and ensuring internal and external fabrication requests are executed safely, efficiently, and to specification. This role serves as the central coordination point between Operations, Engineering, and external stakeholders for all fabricated components, fixtures, coupons, and ad hoc requests. This is a hands-on leadership role requiring strong technical expertise in both welding and machining, combined with the ability to prioritize work, manage throughput, and maintain quality standards.

Build the Path Forward

At Path Robotics, we’re building the future of embodied intelligence. Our AI-driven systems enable robots to adapt, learn, and perform in the real world closing the skilled labor gap and transforming industries. We go beyond traditional methods, combining perception, reasoning, and control to deliver field-ready AI that is risk-aware, reliable, and continuously improving through real-world use.

Big, hard problems are our everyday work, and our team of intelligent, humble, and driven people make the impossible possible together.

The Fabrication Shop Manager is responsible for leading day-to-day operations of the fabrication shop, managing welders and machinists, and ensuring internal and external fabrication requests are executed safely, efficiently, and to specification. This role serves as the central coordination point between Operations, Engineering, and external stakeholders for all fabricated components, fixtures, coupons, and ad hoc requests. This is a hands-on leadership role requiring strong technical expertise in both welding and machining, combined with the ability to prioritize work, manage throughput, and maintain quality standards.

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of welders and machinists
• Assign work, balance workloads, and ensure coverage across welding and machining operations
• Enforce safety standards, shop organization, and best practices
• Provide hands-on support when needed to unblock work or meet critical timelines
• Own intake, prioritization, and execution of all fabrication requests, including:
  • Weld coupons
  • Customer fixtures
  • Engineering prototypes
  • Production support and ad hoc requests
• Manage competing priorities and adjust schedules based on urgency, capacity, and business needs
• Coordinate and communicate priorities across Operations, Engineering, and external stakeholders
• Create parts with manual and CNC machines
• Weld parts with MIG and TIG based off of part drawings

• 5+ years of hands-on experience in a fabrication environment
• Demonstrated experience in both welding and machining
  • Welding processes (e.g., MIG, TIG, structural or similar)
  • Machining processes (manual and CNC)
• Prior experience leading or supervising shop personnel
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and specifications
• Strong organizational and prioritization skills
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, high-mix environment with frequent ad hoc requests
• Experience supporting engineering teams or R&D/prototyping environments
• Familiarity with fixture design and fabrication
• Experience managing internal customers and competing priorities
• Exposure to robotics, automation, or advanced manufacturing environments
• Lean manufacturing or continuous improvement experience
• Some experience with Engineering design and PDM-style CAD management
• Experience using outside vendors to arrange for services that are not part of the current capabilities
• Experience with the basics of setting up and maintaining Quality Assurance systems