Junior AI Operations Analyst in Johnson Creek, Wisconsin at Saelens Corporation

Junior AI Operations Analyst — CNC Manufacturing

Location: Johnson Creek, WI
Job Type: Full-time on-site
Department: Operations / Engineering / Continuous Improvement
Reports To: Operations Manager, Engineering Manager, or IT/Systems Lead

Pay Range: $28.00 - $30.00

About the Role

We are looking for an entry-level AI Analyst to help our CNC manufacturing team use modern AI tools to improve daily operations, documentation, reporting, quoting, scheduling, quality tracking, and process improvement.

This is an entry-level role for someone who is curious, organized, technically comfortable, and eager to learn how AI can support a real manufacturing environment. The ideal candidate should understand tools like ChatGPT, Claude, AI agents, prompt workflows, and the basics of connecting AI tools to business data through Model Context Protocols and APIs.

Key Responsibilities

• Use AI tools such as ChatGPT, Claude, and similar platforms to support business and manufacturing workflows.
• Help build and document AI-assisted workflows for quoting, job setup, work instructions, inspection reports, purchasing, scheduling, and customer communication.
• Assist with creating prompts, templates, and reusable AI workflows for office and shop-floor teams.
• Support basic AI agent use cases, such as retrieving information, summarizing data, preparing reports, and automating repetitive tasks
• Help connect AI tools to internal data sources, such as ERP, CRM, spreadsheets, SQL databases, or production tracking systems.
• Learn and assist with Model Context Protocol, also called MCP, for safely connecting AI tools to company systems and data.
• Work with operations, engineering, quality, and administration teams to identify practical AI opportunities.
• Review AI outputs for accuracy, usefulness, and alignment with company procedures.
• Help create internal documentation and training materials for AI tools.
• Maintain awareness of data privacy, security, and responsible AI use.

Manufacturing Use Cases This Person May Support

• AI-assisted estimating and quote preparation.
• Summarizing customer RFQs and technical requirements.
• Creating draft work instructions from drawings, notes, or routing data.
• Organizing inspection and quality documentation.
• Searching internal procedures or job history using AI.
• Building AI assistants for sales, scheduling, purchasing, or production support.
• Connecting AI tools to databases, spreadsheets, ERP data, or document libraries.
• Automating routine reports for production, backlog, late jobs, scrap, rework, or purchasing needs.

Required Qualifications

• Beginner to intermediate familiarity with ChatGPT, Claude, or similar AI tools.
• Basic understanding of prompts, AI assistants, and AI agents.
• Familiarity with databases, spreadsheets, or business software systems.
• Interest in connecting AI tools to company data using MCP, APIs, SQL, or similar methods.
• Strong attention to detail and willingness to verify AI-generated information.
• Ability to communicate clearly with both technical and non-technical employees.
• Strong problem-solving skills and curiosity about manufacturing processes.

Preferred Qualifications

• Exposure to CNC machining, manufacturing, job shops, fabrication, or industrial operations.
• Basic SQL knowledge or experience working with databases.
• Experience with Excel, Power BI, ERP systems
• Familiarity with automation tools such as Zapier, Make, n8n, or similar platforms.
• Basic scripting knowledge in Python, JavaScript, or another programming language.
• Understanding of APIs, webhooks, or system integrations.
• Experience creating SOPs, work instructions, reports, or process documentation.

Success in This Role Looks Like

• Employees are able to save time using simple, reliable AI workflows.
• AI tools are connected to useful company data in a safe and controlled way.
• Repetitive administrative and reporting tasks are reduced.
• Prompts, workflows, and AI agents are documented clearly.
• The company gains practical AI capability without disrupting shop operations.