---
title: 'Lead Machine Builder at Axis Automation'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/lead-machine-builder-axis-automation-walker-s3q2v7m25ps7'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-10-30'
---

# Lead Machine Builder at Axis Automation

- **Company:** Axis Automation
- **Location:** Walker, MI
- **Posted:** 2026-10-29
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-10-30
- **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/axiscompany/jobs/8923658002

## Job description

Lead Machine Builder

- Position Description -

Position Overview: The Lead Machine Builder bridges hands-on craftsmanship with formal floor leadership. This builder coordinates teams of multiple builders on larger projects, owns build schedules and quality outcomes and serves as the first escalation point for build-floor issues. The Lead Machine Builder partners closely with the Build Manager on capacity planning and continuous improvement of build practices. Approximately one third to half of time is spent in hands-on build and debug; the remainder in coordination, planning and mentoring. This position reports directly to the Build Manager.

Key Responsibilities:

- Builds advanced mechanical sub-systems and custom automation machinery. Leads mechanical debug and root cause analysis.
- Coordinates teams of Machine Builders on larger projects; owns build schedules, quality outcomes and on-time delivery.
- Reviews and approves build quality on assigned projects.
- Interface with mechanical engineers, controls engineers, controls technicians and project management to deliver complete automation solutions.
- Travels to customer sites for installation support, including domestic and international destinations.
- About one third to half of time is spent on build/debug with the remainder of time in coordination, planning, mentoring and leadership.
- Champion our Operating Principles: You will be expected to actively embody and uphold our ten Operating Principles, which guide our every action and decision at Axis Automation. These principles are key to our culture and success.

Qualifications:

- Education: High school diploma or equivalent required. Vocational or technical training valued.
- Experience: Minimum of 8 years building custom industrial equipment or machines
- Technical Skills:
- Mechanical Assembly: Strong knowledge of complex mechanical builds across project types.
- Pneumatics: Install, routing, troubleshooting, and design contribution.
- Print Reading & GD&T: Fluent in advanced mechanical drawings.
- Robotics Integration: Strong familiarity with multiple robotic platforms.
- Safety: Master-level LOTO and robotic cell safety practice.
- Leadership: Demonstrated success leading small teams on the build floor.
- Communication: Excellent communication with project teams, customers and suppliers.
- Problem-Solving: Go-to expert for troubleshooting across mechanical assemblies, pneumatics, robotic integration.
- Travel: Willingness to travel approximately 20% (roughly 10 weeks per year, in waves), including domestic and international destinations such as Mexico. Valid passport required (or willingness to obtain). Valid driver’s license required.
- Tools: Builders are expected to use their own tools and box; hand tools, specialty and shop equipment provided by Axis.

Benefits: Axis offers a comprehensive benefits package with no waiting period.

Wage Range: $29.00 - $34.00/hour with the opportunity for overtime and travel pay.

## About Axis Automation

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Axis Automation engineers and builds advanced factory automation solutions, including robotics integration, project management, and service support, for manufacturers across multiple industries.
- **Entity Type**: Private (Funding not publicly disclosed)
- **Headquarters**: Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States
- **Founded**: 2016
- **Founders**: Boyd Vor Broker (Founder & President)

## Core Business
- **Primary industries**: Automation machinery manufacturing, factory automation, robotics integration
- **Markets served**: Automotive, Packaging, Semiconductor, Aerospace, Food & Beverage, Transportation, Health & Medical, Consumer
- **Target customers**: Manufacturers (B2B, primarily mid-market to enterprise)
- **Mission/purpose**: “To be the leading automation solutions provider for the manufacturing community” – supporting the adoption of automation solutions that empower people and enhance productivity

## Products & Services
- **Factory Automation Solutions**: Full lifecycle services including conceptualization, design, engineering, robotics integration, machine build, welding, and deployment – not a packaged SaaS product but a custom engineering and integration service.
- **Project Management & Support**: Dedicated project management, service, and after-deployment support to ensure long-term reliability.
- **Skilled Trades & Co-op Programs**: Internships and co-op positions (partnered with Grand Valley State University) in mechanical, electrical, and computer engineering.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not publicly disclosed
- **Key Metric**: Headcount ~51 employees (as of 2025/2026; slight YoY decline of 1.3%). Revenue is not publicly disclosed.
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: No external investors identified. Partnered with Grand Valley State University for talent pipeline.
- **Growth Signals**: Monthly headcount growth of +1.4% (LinkedIn estimate); LinkedIn follower growth of +17.1% yearly. Active job postings (10 open positions). However, yearly headcount declined slightly (-1.3%) and job postings decreased 37.5% YoY.

## Competitive Advantages
- Extensive cross-industry experience (automotive, semiconductor, aerospace, etc.)
- Collaborative culture with deep in-house expertise in robotics integration and project management
- Strong local talent partnerships (e.g., Grand Valley State University co-op program) and a reputation for promoting from within
- Full-service offering from concept through deployment and support, reducing handoff friction for customers

## Strategic Focus
- Continued expansion of automation solutions for evolving manufacturing needs
- Emphasis on teamwork and employee development to retain expertise and drive quality
- Supporting adoption of automation to “empower people and enhance productivity” – likely investing in new technologies (e.g., advanced robotics, Industry 4.0 integration)

## Why Work Here
- **Culture**: Described as “powerhouse team with exceptional project execution” and a “collaborative culture”; employee reviews on LinkedIn rate culture 5.0/5.0 and career opportunities 4.4/5.0.
- **Benefits**: Comprehensive benefits package with immediate eligibility upon hire.
- **Career Development**: Strong promotion-from-within philosophy; co-op/internship pipeline to full-time roles.
- **Work Environment**: Offices in Grand Rapids, MI; no explicit remote/hybrid policy mentioned, likely on-site given the hands-on nature of automation engineering.
- **Team**: Small but tight-knit (51 employees) with experienced leadership across engineering, project management, and applications.

## Sources
1. [Axis Automation Official Website](https://www.axisco.com/)
2. [Axis Automation Careers Page](https://www.axisco.com/careers)
3. [Axis Automation LinkedIn Page](https://www.linkedin.com/company/axiscoautomation)
4. [Axis Automation About Us](https://www.axisco.com/about-us)
5. [Axis Automation Contact](https://www.axisco.com/contact)

## Other roles at Axis Automation

- [Senior Mechanical Engineer - Automation](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-mechanical-engineer-automation-axis-automation-walker-mp74t641dgp8) — Walker, MI
- [Machine Builder Level 3](https://feeny.ai/job/machine-builder-level-3-axis-automation-walker-765th6qezcpm) — Walker, MI
- [Mechanical Engineer Levels 2 - 3](https://feeny.ai/job/mechanical-engineer-levels-2-3-axis-automation-walker-78cyfrbnzr7q) — Walker, MI
- [GVSU Mechanical Engineering Intern Co-op](https://feeny.ai/job/gvsu-mechanical-engineering-intern-co-op-axis-automation-walker-hnfjfqxzdx7p) — Walker, MI
- [GVSU Controls Engineering Intern Co-op](https://feeny.ai/job/gvsu-controls-engineering-intern-co-op-axis-automation-walker-082g6kspp9bw) — Walker, MI
- [Applications Engineer Level 3/4](https://feeny.ai/job/applications-engineer-level-3-4-axis-automation-walker-z7j34cqsqejf) — Walker, MI
- [Controls Electrician](https://feeny.ai/job/controls-electrician-axis-automation-walker-snbaaaz8zeqc) — Walker, MI
- [Senior Controls Engineer - Automation](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-controls-engineer-automation-axis-automation-walker-pcp0jwdq21cq) — Walker, MI
- [Welding Engineer Intern](https://feeny.ai/job/welding-engineer-intern-axis-automation-walker-12c2ndsx1ymt) — Walker, MI
- [Project Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/project-manager-axis-automation-walker-073fce1wan2b) — Walker, MI