Rebecca Brackett
Rebecca Brackett is a Lead Robotics Technician with a strong foundation in welding, fabrication, and advanced manufacturing systems. She began her career as a welder and fabricator, a role she held for approximately five years, where her skill level quickly set her apart. Her work became so refined that she was training others in the trade, with peers often studying her technique and recording her welds for reference. During this time, a chance interaction with a robotics technician observing her work sparked a pivotal career shift when he mistakenly believed a robot had completed one of her welds, it opened the door to a conversation about automation and robotics. Already at the ceiling of her earning potential in welding, Rebecca embraced the opportunity to expand her skill set and transition into industrial robotics.
She entered the field of automation as a robot operator and steadily advanced her technical expertise through hands-on experience and formal education. Rebecca earned her associate’s degree in Engineering Technology and later progressed into a leadership role as Lead Robotic Technician at Epiroc, a globally recognized company honored as one of USA Today’s Best Places to Work in both 2025 and 2026. In this role, she works extensively with robotic welding systems, including ABB, FANUC, and IGM platforms, and specializes in programming, troubleshooting, process optimization, and system performance improvements. She also became a certified programmer, expanding her impact from operations into full system control and optimization.
Currently, Rebecca is pursuing her bachelor’s degree in Engineering Industrial Technology at Liberty University while continuing to grow within her field. Her career has been marked by consistent advancement, with her role evolving nearly every year through promotions, certifications, and expanded responsibilities. She has also led training initiatives to develop operators and strengthen cross-functional team performance, focusing on bridging skilled trades with advanced automation. Looking ahead, she is pursuing a transition into an Automation Engineer role, where she aims to enhance robotic programming, streamline production processes, and further improve the efficiency and scalability of automated manufacturing systems.
• OSHA Certified
• IRC5ABB Robotics Certified (Wolf Robotics)
• IGM Robotic Systems Certified
• Nationally Certified Welder (Norfolk Southern)
• MIG Torch Welding Certified
• Stick Welding Certified (Ironworker Union)
• CNA License
• Phlebotomy License
• Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University - AS, Industrial Technology/Technician
• Ironworker Union
• Youth Basketball Coach
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my ability to consistently move up and never stop working toward my goals. I started at the bottom on the floor with the men welding, and I went to school at night while raising my kids. I worked silently, got my degrees, and moved up in titles about every year since I've worked for this company. My role has changed, or I've achieved something like an award or some type of certificate to further my education. I just keep stacking them up, adding to my skill set and making myself more valuable to my company and harder to replace. The biggest thing is being consistent and believing in yourself and not stopping and just keeping going. As long as you do that, there are resources in this world and you can change your life with it.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Be willing to listen to all the advice that someone gives you, but know how to omit certain things and know which pieces of information to put in your pocket. Always know when to speak and not speak, and be very mindful of how you carry yourself. That's very, very important in this type of job, especially working with a lot of men and being one of the only women. You have to find a fine balance between knowing how to joke around but knowing when to draw that boundary of, okay, we've joked enough. Now you have to recognize boundaries and respect, and you have to always maintain a certain level of respect about yourself and don't let that go. Know your skill set. Know your worth. And hold people accountable to it. They're going to pay you the least they can if you let them. They're going to push you aside and not listen to what you gotta say. They're gonna look at you like, oh, you don't know what you're talking about. Best thing to do? Know what you're talking about and be able to back that up. Have your affairs in order, your documentation, your pictures, your dates, your times, your receipts, basically. Always keep your receipts.
Locations
Epiroc
Cleveland, TN 37312