Applications Engineer

Position Overview:

We are seeking an experienced Applications Engineer to develop technical solutions and quotations for custom industrial equipment and vacuum impregnation service business. This individual will work directly with customers to understand their parts, processes and production requirements Quality standards and business objectives. The Applications Engineer will evaluate applications, develop equipment concepts and prepare accurate technical and commercial proposals. The role requires strong custom equipment experience, technical judgment, and the ability to translate customer requirements into practical, reliable cost-effective solutions.

Locations: Milwaukee, WI or Aurora, OH

Responsibilities:

• Meet with customers to understand their process and help define equipment and system requirements
• Review customer specifications, RFQs, drawings, and technical requirements
• Develop system concepts and equipment solutions for new applications and opportunities
• Estimate new projects using historical costs, similar systems, vendor quotations, and engineering judgment
• Develop project scopes, technical proposals, and cost estimates
• Design custom systems to meet or exceed customer expectations
• Identify project risks, assumptions, exclusions, and technical requirements during the quotation process
• Work with Engineering, Manufacturing, Purchasing, Controls, and Service to validate proposed solutions and costs
• Support Sales during customer meetings, proposal reviews, and technical discussions
• Support Impregnation Sites by developing concepts for baskets, fixtures, material handling devices, leak-test fixtures, and other application-specific tooling required for trials, production processing, or equipment operation.

Project Expectations:

• Carry out small-scale projects to completion (tooling, fixtures, etc.)
• Provide a clear technical and commercial handoff of awarded projects to Engineering
• Maintain accurate costing for all active projects and quotations
• Support project engineering and serve as a technical resource and maintain customer presence throughout the project

Specific Skills/requirements:

• Strong knowledge of custom industrial equipment and system-level design
• Proven experience developing equipment concepts from customer process requirements
• Mechanical aptitude with working knowledge of electrical and controls systems
• Experience estimating equipment, fabrication, purchased components, engineering, and installation costs
• Excellent customer communication and technical presentation skills
• Proficiency in interpreting technical specifications and identifying requirements, risks, and scope gaps
• Familiarity with industrial thermal, vacuum, fluid-handling, and automated equipment preferred

Minimum Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor’s or associate degree in engineering or equivalent experience
• Experience: 15-20+ years in custom equipment, applications engineering, estimating, engineering, or related industrial equipment experience
• Demonstrated experience developing and quoting custom equipment or engineered systems
• CAD Experience
• Ability to travel 15–30%, including occasional international travel