Application Engineer

Job Title: Sales and Applications Engineer

Job Description

The Sales and Applications Engineer develops and sells automation, robotics, and material handling solutions while serving as the primary technical contact for customers. You lead opportunities from receipt of requests for quote (RFQs) through concept development, cost estimation, proposal preparation, and project handoff to engineering and operations. This role is highly customer-facing, focused on identifying automation opportunities in manufacturing and material handling environments, with a strong emphasis on robotics and conveyor systems.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary technical contact for customers, building strong relationships and providing expert guidance on automation solutions.
• Meet with customers to understand project requirements, manufacturing processes, and material handling needs, and identify opportunities for automation and robotics.
• Review RFQs, specifications, and scope of work documents to fully understand project objectives and constraints.
• Develop system concepts and technical solutions for automation, robotics, and conveyor-based material handling systems.
• Create high-level mechanical and controls concepts to support proposals and solution development, even without detailed programming responsibilities.
• Prepare detailed project cost estimates, including equipment, integration, and implementation costs.
• Develop and write clear, compelling technical and commercial proposals that address customer requirements and highlight solution value.
• Coordinate supplier quotations and collaborate with internal resources, including engineering, operations, and program management, to validate concepts and costs.
• Present proposals to customers, explain technical solutions, and support contract negotiations as needed.
• Lead opportunities from initial RFQ through concept development and proposal, ensuring a smooth handoff of awarded projects to engineering and operations teams.
• Collaborate closely with executive leadership to strategize on customer approaches, solution offerings, and company growth initiatives.
• Support diversification efforts by engaging with customers beyond the automotive sector and applying automation expertise to new industries.
• Maintain awareness of industry trends in automation, robotics, and material handling to inform solution development and customer discussions.

Essential Skills

• Minimum of 5 years of experience working in automation, robotics, material handling, or manufacturing systems.
• Strong background in automation systems, including robotics and conveyor-based material handling solutions.
• Hands-on experience working with Fanuc or ABB industrial robots.
• Experience in sales or applications engineering, particularly in solution-based selling for technical products or systems.
• Proven ability to review RFQs, specifications, and scopes of work and translate them into viable technical concepts and solutions.
• Demonstrated capability in project cost estimating and proposal development for automation or engineering projects.
• Solid understanding of mechanical design concepts and overall controls/automation principles sufficient to develop system concepts and proposals.
• Ability to coordinate supplier quotations and collaborate effectively with internal engineering and operations teams.
• Strong customer-facing communication skills, including the ability to lead technical discussions and present proposals.
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering is preferred.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience working with automotive customers and familiarity with automotive manufacturing environments.
• Exposure to or experience with other industries beyond automotive, supporting diversification of the customer base.
• background in application engineering or sales engineering for automation, robotics, or conveyor systems.
• Ability to support contract negotiations by clearly explaining technical and commercial aspects of proposals.
• Comfort working in a small to mid-size company environment where individual contributions have visible impact.
• Collaborative mindset with the ability to work closely with executive leadership, program management, and fellow applications/sales engineers.
• Strong organizational skills to manage multiple RFQs, proposals, and customer interactions concurrently.
• Motivation to grow long term with an organization known for low turnover and strong employee retention.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Brighton, MI.

The pay range for this position is $100000.00 - $150000.00/yr.

Vacation package and holiday pay. 401k plan along with health care benefits.

This is a fully onsite position in Brighton,MI.

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 24, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.

Salary : $100,000 - $150,000