Application Engineer

Applications Engineer – CNC Punching & Bending

Location: Elgin, IL | Pay: $28–$42+/hr + Performance Incentives

Schedule: Monday–Friday | On-Site + Customer Travel

We are partnering with a fast-growing, international manufacturer of advanced CNC machinery that is expanding its North American operations and looking to add an Applications Engineer to its technical team in the Elgin area!

This is an excellent opportunity for someone with a background in CNC punching, bending, or programming who enjoys hands-on technical work but wants to take the next step in their career. Rather than running the same machines every day, you'll become the technical expert helping customers learn, optimize, and get the most out of their equipment.

The company offers a small, close-knit team environment with the backing of a growing international organization , along with opportunities to learn additional machinery, work directly with technical leadership, and play an important role in its continued expansion.

What You'll Be Doing

• Serve as a technical expert on advanced CNC punching and bending equipment.
• Conduct hands-on equipment demonstrations and train customers on machine operation, programming, and best practices.
• Travel to customer facilities to provide training and support during machine startup and early production.
• Review customer drawings and determine part feasibility, tooling requirements, and optimal machine setups.
• Perform time studies and cycle-time evaluations to help customers improve manufacturing efficiency.
• Collaborate with engineering, sales, and service teams to provide technical solutions.
• Expand your expertise across additional CNC machinery and automation technologies as the company grows.

What We're Looking For

• 1+ years of experience with CNC punching, press brakes, bending equipment, or related CNC machinery.
• Experience with equipment such as Amada, TRUMPF, or similar machinery is a plus.
• Ability to read blueprints, understand tooling setups, and interpret technical drawings.
• Familiarity with CNC programming and/or CAD/CAM software preferred.
• Strong communication skills and an interest in training customers and demonstrating equipment.
• Willingness to travel approximately 12–15+ times annually for customer training and technical support.
• No engineering degree required! Hands-on CNC operators, setup technicians, and programmers looking to transition into applications engineering are encouraged to apply.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

• Competitive Compensation: $28–$48/hr, with flexibility above the range for highly experienced candidates.
• Additional Earning Potential: Performance-based incentives on top of base compensation.
• Career Advancement: Opportunity to transition from CNC operations/programming into a customer-facing technical engineering role.
• Growing Organization: Join an expanding international machine builder investing in its North American operations.
• Technical Variety: Work with advanced machinery, customer applications, live demonstrations, and different manufacturing processes.
• Professional Development: Gain exposure to additional equipment technologies and expand your technical skill set.
• High-Impact Position: Work closely with technical leadership and play a key role in supporting customers and company growth.

Apply today to learn more about this opportunity!