Demo

Manufacturing Applications Engineer

Ludlow Manufacturing
Waukegan, IL Full Time
POSTED ON 10/1/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 12/28/2026

Join Our Team as a Manufacturing Engineer!

Are you a hands-on problem solver with a passion for metal fabrication, process improvement, and advanced manufacturing technology? We're looking for a Manufacturing Engineer to support the development and production of sheet metal and fabricated products in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Job duties 

  • Support new product introduction from engineering review through first-piece production and process release.
    • Create and modify internal parts, assemblies, drawings, fixtures, tooling, and manufacturing aids using SolidWorks CAD.
    • Create and maintain offline CAM programs for CNC laser cutting and press brake forming equipment.
    • Develop press brake forming processes, including bend sequence, tooling selection, setup, and forming strategy using offline programming software.
    • Select appropriate manufacturing methods, tooling, and equipment for new and existing parts.
    • Troubleshoot CAD, CAM, laser cutting, press brake forming, tooling, and dimensional issues on the production floor.
    • Work with operators and production personnel to improve part quality, setup efficiency, repeatability, and throughput.
    • Review customer drawings and supplied CAD models for manufacturability and identify design or process concerns before release to production.
    • Use Global Shop ERP to develop and maintain production routings, manufacturing operations, and related process information.
    • Design or modify fixtures, gauges, templates, and manufacturing aids as required.

What We're Looking For

  • Minimum 2 years of Manufacturing Engineering experience
  • Strong mechanical aptitude and troubleshooting skills
  • Experience with SolidWorks and sheet metal design
  • Knowledge of CNC laser cutting, press brake forming, and metal fabrication processes
  • Ability to interpret engineering drawings, tolerances, and GD&T
  • Excellent communication and teamwork skills

Required
• Proficiency with SolidWorks, including 3D parts, assemblies, drawings, and sheet metal functions.
• Hands-on experience with offline CAM/programming software for metal fabrication equipment.
• Press brake forming and offline programming experience, including bend sequencing, tooling selection, and setups.
• Working knowledge of CNC laser cutting and sheet metal fabrication processes.
• Ability to read and interpret customer engineering drawings, dimensions, tolerances, and GD&T.
• Experience developing and maintaining manufacturing routings and process information in an ERP system; Global Shop experience preferred.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and hands-on manufacturing troubleshooting skills.


Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with automated press brake programming and bend simulation.
• Experience programming CNC laser cutting equipment.
• Experience with fabricated assemblies, welding, fixtures, and downstream manufacturing processes.
• Experience supporting new product introduction and first-piece development.
• Associate or bachelor’s degree in manufacturing engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Technology, or equivalent practical experience.


This is a fully onsite position. 

Benefits after 90 days include PTO, Medical, Dental, Vision, Life and voluntary benefits. Pay based on experience.

Salary.com Estimation for Manufacturing Applications Engineer in Waukegan, IL
$91,034 to $111,290
If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution. Compensation Planning
Enhance your organization's compensation strategy with salary data sets that HR and team managers can use to pay your staff right. Surveys & Data Sets

What is the career path for a Manufacturing Applications Engineer?

Sign up to receive alerts about other jobs on the Manufacturing Applications Engineer career path by checking the boxes next to the positions that interest you.
Income Estimation: 
$77,657 - $95,021
Income Estimation: 
$97,257 - $120,701
Employees: Get a Salary Increase
View Core, Job Family, and Industry Job Skills and Competency Data for more than 15,000 Job Titles Skills Library

Job openings at Ludlow Manufacturing

  • Ludlow Manufacturing Waukegan, IL
  • Quality/Metrology Inspector 📍 Location: Waukegan/Gurnee area 🕒 Monday–Thursday | 3:30 PM – 2:00 AM (3-day weekends!) 💲 Pay: $18 – $25/hour (based on exp... more
  • 8 Days Ago

  • Ludlow Manufacturing Waukegan, IL
  • Press Brake Operator 📍 Location: Ludlow Manufacturing, Waukegan 💲 Pay: $20 - $28/hour (based on experience) ✨ Full Benefits Package after 90 days 1 st sh... more
  • 9 Days Ago

  • Ludlow Manufacturing Waukegan, IL
  • Summary Produce Machined parts per instruction. Monitor parts being produced, validate quality of parts being produced, monitor equipment is performing as ... more
  • 9 Days Ago

  • Ludlow Manufacturing Waukegan, IL
  • Join Our Team as an HR Coordinator! Are you passionate about people, recruiting, and creating a great employee experience? We're looking for a Bilingual HR... more
  • 12 Days Ago


Not the job you're looking for? Here are some other Manufacturing Applications Engineer jobs in the Waukegan, IL area that may be a better fit.

  • Gables Search Group Spring Grove, IL
  • Applications Manager – Manufacturing ERP Systems | Custom Applications | Manufacturing Technology Integration Position Summary We are looking for an experi... more
  • 8 Days Ago

  • Actalent Pleasant, WI
  • Job Title: Manufacturing Engineer – Automotive Die Casting Job Description This role focuses on supporting daily high-pressure die casting production while... more
  • 1 Month Ago

AI Assistant is available now!

Feel free to start your new journey!