Applications Engineer

• Develop robotic system concepts utilizing industrial robots, tooling, vision systems, conveyors, and peripheral equipment.
• Perform cycle time analysis and throughput calculations.
• Determine robot reach, payload capacity, machine accessibility, and tooling requirements.
• Select appropriate automation hardware and components.
• Create equipment specifications and bill of material estimates.
• Support risk assessments and machine safety evaluations.

• Develop accurate cost estimates and project budgets.
• Work with vendors and suppliers to obtain pricing for components and services.
• Analyze labor requirements, engineering hours, and implementation costs.
• Maintain estimating tools, pricing databases, and standard costing models.

• Provide technical guidance to engineering, controls, mechanical design, and manufacturing teams.
• Participate in project kickoff meetings and design reviews.
• Support system testing, commissioning, and customer acceptance activities.
• Assist in troubleshooting technical challenges during project implementation.
• Ensure proposed solutions align with customer requirements and company standards.

• Build and maintain strong customer relationships.
• Conduct customer site surveys and data collection activities.
• Present technical solutions and automation concepts to customers and stakeholders.
• Travel as needed to customer facilities for evaluations, meetings, and project support.
• Provide technical consultation regarding manufacturing processes and automation best practices.

• Stay current with emerging robotic technologies, AI, machine vision systems, and automation trends.
• Recommend improvements to standard machine tending platforms and solution offerings.
• Contribute to the development of standardized automation products and engineering practices.
• Support process improvement initiatives within engineering and sales organizations.

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, Robotics Engineering, or related technical field.
• Equivalent combination of education and automation industry experience may be considered.

• 5–10 years of experience in industrial automation, robotics, machine tool integration, or manufacturing engineering.
• Experience with CNC machining processes and machine tending applications preferred.
• Experience supporting technical sales, proposal development, or application engineering activities.
• Experience with robotic automation systems integration.

• Knowledge of industrial robotics (Fanuc, ABB, Yaskawa, KUKA, Universal Robots, or similar).
• Understanding of CNC machining operations and manufacturing processes.
• Ability to develop automation concepts and system layouts.
• Familiarity with machine vision systems and inspection technologies.
• Understanding of industrial safety standards and risk assessment principles.
• Experience with CAD software such as SolidWorks, AutoCAD, Inventor, or equivalent.
• Ability to develop cycle time studies and production capacity analyses.
• Strong Microsoft Office skills include Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Robot programming experience.
• Experience with PLC-based automation systems.
• Understanding of Industry 4.0 and smart manufacturing technologies.
• Knowledge of pneumatic, hydraulic, and servo motion systems.
• Experience with simulation tools such as RoboGuide, RobotStudio, Process Simulate, or Visual Components.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.
• Ability to communicate technical concepts to both engineers and non-technical stakeholders.
• Strong customer-facing presentation skills.
• Excellent organizational and project management capabilities.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within cross-functional teams.
• Commercial awareness with the ability to balance technical performance and project profitability.

• Ability to visit manufacturing facilities and industrial environments.
• Ability to stand, walk, and inspect equipment for extended periods.
• Ability to occasionally lift 25 pounds.

• Ability to travel is approximately 25% as required.

$98,749.47 - $123,437.11

The listed salary range represents our good faith estimate for this position.

Final compensation will be determined based on a candidate’s experience, skills, and qualifications, and may exceed the posted range for highly qualified candidates.

• Proposal win rate.
• Quote turnaround time.
• Estimate accuracy.
• Engineering support responsiveness.
• Customer satisfaction.
• Project gross margin performance.
• Number of qualified automation opportunities developed.
• Successful project launches and customer acceptance outcomes.

Us?

Join a team dedicated to advancing manufacturing through innovative robotic automation solutions.

You will play a critical role in helping customers improve productivity, reduce labor challenges, enhance quality, and achieve competitive advantages through state-of-the-art CNC machine tending technologies.

This job description is designed to provide an overview of basic skills, experiences and education required to perform the job and is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee to perform the essential functions of the job.

In instances where educational degrees are required, the company will take into consideration factors such as additional experience, training, or certifications in lieu of specific educational requirements .

Methods Machine is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.