Application Engineer

Application Engineer - Custom Automation

Description

This list of duties and responsibilities is not all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties and responsibilities as management may deem necessary from time to time.

• Review and interpret customer RFQs, specifications, part prints, and process requirements to define project scope, throughput, and performance criteria.
• Develop conceptual automation solutions, including robotic cells, material handling, assembly, inspection, and special machines, based on input from customers, Sales, and Engineering.
• Produce 2D and 3D concept layouts and preliminary designs to support proposals and customer presentations.
• Perform feasibility studies, cycle time analyses, reach studies, and robotic simulations to validate proposed concepts.
• Conduct or coordinate part testing and proof-of-concept trials to reduce technical risk prior to quoting.
• Identify technical, safety, and commercial risks and communicate assumptions, exclusions, and mitigation plans in proposals.
• Prepare complete and accurate cost estimates covering mechanical and electrical design, controls, purchased components, fabrication, assembly, installation, and other project costs.
• Coordinate with Sales, Engineering, Manufacturing, Controls, Purchasing, and Project Management to develop technically sound solutions and accurate cost estimates.
• Work with vendors to determine performance, interface requirements, pricing, and lead times for robots, controls, tooling, and other purchased components.
• Take ownership of assigned quotations from initial RFQ review through proposal submission, ensuring technical accuracy, completeness, competitive pricing, and adherence to company profitability objectives.
• Prepare technical proposals, statements of work, and quotations that meet the company's profitability goals within required timelines.
• Manage multiple concurrent quoting opportunities, effectively prioritizing workload, meeting established deadlines, and proactively communicating resource constraints or schedule concerns.
• Identify and evaluate changes to customer requirements during the quoting process, assessing their impact on scope, cost, schedule, and technical feasibility.
• Facilitate internal design and proposal reviews with Engineering and Management; incorporate recommended changes before submission.
• Support Sales Engineers in customer meetings, site visits, technical presentations, and negotiations, serving as the technical point of contact during the sales cycle.
• Upon receipt of an order, conduct a formal handoff to the project team, transferring all pertinent technical and commercial information.
• Support project execution teams as needed by providing clarification of quoted scope, design intent, technical assumptions, and customer requirements.
• Review completed project performance and actual costs against original estimates to identify discrepancies and improve future estimating accuracy.
• Maintain a library of standard solutions, cost data, and reference information from previous projects to improve quoting accuracy and efficiency.
• Research and recommend new technologies, components, and processes to strengthen the company's automation offerings.
• Travel to customer sites and vendors as required.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Requirements

Education and/or Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related engineering discipline is preferred; equivalent industry experience may be considered.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in the industrial automation industry, preferably with a custom automation integrator or machine builder.
• Hands-on knowledge of industrial automation equipment, such as industrial robots, end-of-arm tooling, conveyors and material handling, servo and motion systems, pneumatics, vision systems, PLCs, and machine safeguarding.
• Demonstrated experience developing cost estimates, quotations, or proposals for custom automation equipment.
• Proficiency with 3D CAD software such as SolidWorks; experience with AutoCAD for 2D layouts.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with robotic simulation software such as ABB RobotStudio, FANUC ROBOGUIDE, or similar.
• Working knowledge of machine safety standards such as ANSI/RIA R15.06, ISO 10218, and NFPA 79.
• Experience supporting customers in automotive, aerospace, military, medical, or food manufacturing.
• Experience with ERP and CRM systems for estimating and opportunity tracking.
• Project management experience.

Additional Competencies

• Strong mechanical aptitude and the ability to translate customer needs into practical, cost-effective automation solutions.
• Ability to read and interpret technical drawings, specifications, and customer requirement documents.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present technical information clearly to customers, colleagues, managers, and vendors.

Summary

Under the direction of the Applications Engineering Manager, the Application Engineer serves as the technical lead in the pre-sale process for custom industrial automation systems. Working closely with Sales, customers, and internal engineering teams, this role evaluates customer requirements, develops conceptual automation solutions, prepares cost estimates and proposals, and ensures a smooth handoff of awarded projects to the project execution team.