Application Specialist

Your role

As an Application Specialist, you will be responsible for developing, executing, troubleshooting, and validating precision fluid dispensing processes in laboratory, customer-facing, and production-style environments. This position focuses primarily on micro dispense applications involving adhesives, thermal interface materials, underfills, coatings, sealants, and other precision-applied fluids used in electronics, automotive, and industrial manufacturing. You will combine hands-on technical expertise, material knowledge, and automation experience to support application development, equipment validation, customer demonstrations, and production process optimization. This role offers a unique opportunity to work with advanced dispensing technologies, precision motion systems, and robotic automation while collaborating across engineering, sales, project management, and customer teams.

This position reports to the Applications Lab Manager.
Job responsibilities

• Execute precision dispensing trials in laboratory, customer-facing, and production-style environments.
• Set up, operate, program, and troubleshoot micro dispense equipment, pumps, valves, controllers, and robotic systems.
• Develop and optimize dispensing processes for adhesives, thermal materials, underfills, coatings, sealants, UV materials, and other precision-applied fluids.
• Evaluate dispensing performance, including dot size, bead geometry, placement accuracy, repeatability, material flow characteristics, and process capability.
• Troubleshoot application issues involving dispense consistency, material behavior, process parameters, and equipment performance.
• Support customer sample preparation, proof-of-concept testing, feasibility studies, and application development projects.
• Capture trial observations, process parameters, technical results, and recommendations through detailed documentation and reporting.
• Support equipment installations, commissioning activities, validation efforts, and process debugging as required.
• Provide technical recommendations to engineering, sales, project management, and customer teams regarding equipment selection, process improvements, and application feasibility.
• Translate trial results into practical process solutions that improve quality, throughput, and reliability.
• Conduct customer demonstrations and explain process capabilities, equipment functionality, and application results.
• Assist with customer training, technical workshops, trade shows, and other customer-facing activities.
• Collaborate with engineering and product development teams to evaluate new dispensing technologies, equipment enhancements, and material applications.
• Maintain laboratory equipment, fixtures, and testing resources to support efficient execution of application projects.
• Stay current on emerging precision dispensing technologies, materials, automation trends, and industry best practices.

SKILLS:

• Strong hands-on mechanical, electrical, and process troubleshooting abilities.
• Experience setting up, programming, and optimizing precision dispensing systems.
• Knowledge of precision dispense technologies included micro dispense, one- and two-component dispense, needle dispense, flow-based systems, vacuum potting, and precision valve technologies preferred.
• Experience with robotic systems, motion control platforms, and automation integration.
• Understanding of fluid behavior and how viscosity, temperature, rheology, and application parameters impact dispensing performance.
• Familiarity with dispensing pumps, valves, controllers, tooling, fixtures, and process monitoring equipment.
• Ability to optimize dispense processes based on performance data and application requirements.
• Experience supporting application development, technical demonstrations, and process validation activities.
• Strong technical documentation and reporting skills.
• Experience working with electronics assembly, automotive manufacturing, precision assembly, or industrial automation environments preferred.
• Ability to explain technical concepts clearly to customers and internal stakeholders.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's or associate degree in engineering, manufacturing technology, automation, robotics, industrial technology, electronics technology, or a related technical field.
• Equivalent combination of education and relevant experience will be considered.
• Experience with precision dispensing, fluid handling systems, robotics, automation, electronics manufacturing, or process development preferred.

PERSONALITY REQUIREMENTS/ATTRIBUTES/BEHAVIORS:

• Ability to think entrepreneurially, strategically, and cross-functionally.
• Strong technical curiosity and desire to continuously learn new technologies.
• Excellent troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
• Strong presentation and communication skills.
• Detail-oriented with disciplined documentation practices.
• Ability to remain calm and effective in dynamic, fast-paced trial environments.
• Effective time management and organizational skills.
• Positive, motivated, and solutions-oriented team player.
• Customer-focused mindset with strong interpersonal skills.

Job location

Auburn Hills, MI

Atlas Copco

Atlas Copco delivers innovative products and solutions that help businesses grow and drive progress. Our portfolio spans compressed air and gas systems and treatment, vacuum solutions, industrial power tools, assembly systems, and power and flow solutions. We bring a commitment to long-term success built on expertise, reliable service, and uptime. When you level up to the Atlas Copco experience you enter a partnership based on quality, sustainability, and ease of collaboration. The technology we bring, and the decades of experience support the future-proofing of your business. Atlas Copco is a brand within Atlas Copco Group.

Visit the Atlas Copco website

Company: Atlas Copco Group

Functional area: Research and Development Location: US - United States City: Auburn Hills On-site/remote: On-Site Brand: Atlas Copco Company Name: Atlas Copco IAS LLC Date of Posting: September 22, 2026