Demo

Application Engineer

Nidec Automation
Chicago, IL Full Time
POSTED ON 10/1/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 10/29/2026

Application Engineer II


Drive Innovation in Motion Control, Robotics, and Industrial Automation

Are you passionate about solving complex engineering challenges and working directly with customers to bring cutting-edge automation solutions to life? We are seeking an Application Engineer II to serve as a key technical partner for customers developing next-generation motion control and robotic systems.


In this highly customer-focused role, you will support new business opportunities, accelerate customer time-to-market, and ensure successful deployment of advanced motion control solutions. You will collaborate with customers, sales teams, and product development groups to design, integrate, validate, commission, and optimize drive systems used in real-world industrial applications.


This is an exciting opportunity for an engineer who enjoys combining technical expertise, problem-solving, and customer engagement to create innovative automation solutions.


What You'll Do

Technical Leadership & Customer Support

  • Provide advanced technical support for ultra-low voltage drives, brushless AC servomotors, and motion control systems.
  • Troubleshoot complex application issues and recommend solutions that improve system performance, reliability, and efficiency.
  • Serve as a primary technical point of contact for customers throughout the product lifecycle.

System Design & Integration

  • Design and validate motion control architectures tailored to customer requirements.
  • Support system integration with PLC platforms, industrial networks, and ROS-based robotic systems.
  • Conduct application validation and performance testing to ensure solutions meet customer expectations and technical specifications.

Customer Engagement & Project Execution

  • Lead technical aspects of customer projects from requirements gathering through deployment and commissioning.
  • Participate in customer meetings, technical reviews, demonstrations, and solution evaluations.
  • Support customers during installation, startup, optimization, and long-term operation of systems.

Sales & Business Development Support

  • Partner with Sales teams to support New Business Opportunities (NBOs).
  • Assist with technical evaluations, product selection, solution development, and customer presentations.
  • Help accelerate customer development cycles by simplifying solution selection and streamlining integration efforts.

Product & Market Development

  • Collaborate with Product Development to provide feedback on product performance, usability, and future enhancements.
  • Monitor industry trends, emerging technologies, and competitive solutions within motion control, robotics, and industrial automation.
  • Contribute to application lab development, prototyping activities, system demonstrations, and customer testing initiatives.

Documentation & Training

  • Create technical documentation, application notes, training materials, and best-practice guides.
  • Support internal and customer-facing technical training programs.
  • Document testing results and provide clear technical recommendations to customers and internal stakeholders.


Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Automation Engineering, or a related technical field.
  • A minimum 2-year technical degree combined with strong hands-on industry experience will also be considered.
  • Experience in application engineering, motion control, robotics, industrial automation, or related customer-facing technical roles.
  • Strong knowledge of motion control systems, motor drives, servo systems, and automation technologies.
  • Hands-on experience with industrial communication protocols, including:
  • EtherCAT
  • CANopen
  • PROFINET
  • EtherNet/IP
  • Experience with system integration, commissioning, troubleshooting, and performance optimization.
  • Ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly to customers, engineers, and business stakeholders.
  • Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving abilities.
  • Proven ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, customer-focused environment.


Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience with PLC programming and industrial control systems.
  • Knowledge of ROS (Robot Operating System) and robotic applications.
  • Experience supporting technical evaluations and new business development initiatives.
  • Familiarity with 3D CAD tools such as SolidWorks or similar design platforms.
  • Experience creating technical documentation, application notes, and engineering training materials.
  • Background in industrial automation, autonomous systems, AGVs/AMRs, robotics, or advanced manufacturing environments.


Travel Requirements

  • Domestic and international travel up to 10%.


Salary.com Estimation for Application Engineer in Chicago, IL
$98,117 to $121,318
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 Application Engineer?

Sign up to receive alerts about other jobs on the Application Engineer career path by checking the boxes next to the positions that interest you.
Income Estimation: 
$97,257 - $120,701
Income Estimation: 
$123,167 - $152,295
Income Estimation: 
$88,999 - $115,790
Income Estimation: 
$109,826 - $143,482
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 Nidec Automation

  • Nidec Automation St Louis, MO
  • Marketing Manager Are you a strategic marketer with a strong commercial mindset and a passion for turning market insights into growth opportunities? We're ... more
  • 16 Days Ago

  • Nidec Automation St Louis, MO
  • The Engineering Technician III functions as a fully contributing technician with ownership of significant hands‑on technical work. The role independently e... more
  • 15 Days Ago


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

  • Mazak Corporation Schaumburg, IL
  • Description Mazak Corporation's Midwest Applications department is searching for an Applications Engineer to join the team. The Applications Engineer assis... more
  • 18 Days Ago

  • Actalent Schaumburg, IL
  • Applications Engineer Job Description The Applications Engineer develops custom workholding and mechanical solutions by combining engineering, CAD design, ... more
  • 18 Days Ago

AI Assistant is available now!

Feel free to start your new journey!