Julio Santa Cruz - Senior Mechanical Engineer - Trayer Engineering

Summary

Manufacturing Automation / Mechanical Engineer with hands-on experience in robotic welding automation, robot programming, and weld quality improvement through process parameter optimization, fixturing, and design changes. Strong shop-floor execution from design to implementation, experienced supporting medium voltage switchgear production and creating production-ready designs in 3D CAD

Overview

6

years of professional experience

4

Certifications

Work History

Senior Mechanical Engineer

Trayer Engineering

Livermore, California

06.2020 - Current

Supported production operations with a focus on welding-based manufacturing, designing fixtures, and jigs to improve production efficiency and repeatability.
Designed and supported the end-to-end development of submersible/pad-mounted medium-voltage switchgear systems, utilizing 3D CAD modeling to develop manufacturing 2D drawings, including welded subassemblies and full enclosures, applying MIG and TIG welding principles.
Implemented and optimized a robotic welding system, including TCP/Mastering, programming, and setup; developed weld schedules and procedures for proper weld fusion and penetration, improving cycle time by >50%, while eliminating rework by >75%.
Programmed and optimized FANUC welding paths using teach pendant and logic-based sequencing; coordinated sensor I/O and fixture alignment
Drove design changes to improve manufacturability and weld access; coordinated with fabrication, trial runs, and released successful revisions into production.
Gained an in-depth understanding of key manufacturing processes, including welding, laser cutting, and brake press operations, applying this knowledge to design sheet metal components that meet fabrication constraints, maintain tolerances, and ensure smooth assemblies from subassemblies to final units.

Education

Bachelor of Science - Mechanical Engineering

California State University, Chico

Chico, CA

06-2019

Skills

Robotic Welding / Automation (Robot programming, FANUC Arc Welding robot, Arc Mate 100iD)

- Weld Process Optimization (WFS, travel speed, gas, spatter control, torch angle, etc)

- Weld Quality Improvements (defects, root cause, corrective action)

Mechanical / Tooling (Fixture/Jig optimization, DFM/DFA, fit up/tolerance considerations, prototype build iterative design validation)

CAD SolidWorks (3D), Manufacturing Drawings (2D)

Collaboration Cross functional work with production/operators, quality, maintenance, and engineering

Projects

Commissioned and optimized FANUC robotic welding cell, achieving >50% cycle time reduction compared to legacy system and reducing weld rework by >75%

- Improved weld integrity through parameter optimization, fixturing, and TCP calibration.

- Validated weld integrity via destructive testing (cut section/nick breaks).

- Verified fixture alignment and process repeatability to support reliable production operation

Established K-Factor values for various sheet metal gauges/tooling combinations, via experimental validation, improving bend accuracy, part fit-up, and reducing fabrication rework when designing via SolidWorks

Certification

Lincoln Electric - FANUC R30iB Plus Arc Tool Series, Basic Robot Training Program 11/2022

Languages

English

Native/ Bilingual

Spanish