Pre Sales Application Engineer - Welding

As a Pre‑Sales Application Engineer – Welding, you will leverage your expertise in welding automation and metal joining processes to support pre‑sales technical and application engineering efforts. Working closely with KUKA’s sales team, you will assist end‑customers and system integrators in evaluating and implementing robotic welding solutions using KUKA products. Your role combines customer engagement with hands‑on technical engineering: you will help configure and demonstrate robotic welding systems, develop tailored proposals and demonstrations for potential projects, and ensure our welding applications lab is equipped for high‑quality customer trials and sales enablement activities. You will also collaborate with cross‑functional teams (sales, technical support, product management, global colleagues) to integrate welding processes, materials knowledge, industry codes and standards into solutions that meet customer requirements. This position requires both strong technical acumen in welding and robotics and excellent communication and presentation skills for engaging effectively with customers and partners in a pre‑sales context. Essential Duties and Responsibilities (include, but are not limited to) Technical Pre‑Sales Support: Provide expert technical and engineering support to sales personnel by addressing end‑customer and system integrator pre‑sales inquiries related to robotic welding applications. Assess customer welding requirements, develop application concepts, and recommend suitable KUKA robotic welding solutions. Product Demonstrations & Presentations: Create and deliver product‑related presentations, demos, and proofs‑of‑concept in conjunction with the sales team, showcasing KUKA’s welding automation capabilities to prospective customers and partners7. Present complex technical information clearly and confidently, often acting as an instructor to both technical and non‑technical audiences as needed. Weld Lab Management & Customer Trials: Manage and maintain the welding demonstration lab and show equipment – including robot systems, weld cells, fixtures, and consumables – ensuring it is well‑organized, safe, and fully operational for customer demonstrations and weld trials. Configure and set up robots “out of the box” with appropriate welding equipment and software for sales demos and testing of customer parts. Proposal Development: Assist in developing technical proposal materials for robotic welding opportunities, including application concepts, welding process plans, demonstrations, and input for project quotations and cost estimates (e.g., tooling concepts, cycle times, budgets, payback analysis) to meet customer requirements. Ensure all proposed solutions comply with customer specifications and relevant welding industry codes, standards, and regulations, and that these requirements are clearly communicated within the company. Customer Engagement & Trials: Conduct or support customer visits and on‑site or in‑house welding trials/demonstrations to validate and optimize solution feasibility. Provide hands‑on assistance and technical guidance during robot welding integrations or evaluations at customer or system integrator facilities, ensuring successful outcomes and forging strong customer relationships. Cross‑Functional Collaboration: Collaborate closely with Sales, Technical Support, Product Management, and global engineering teams to address complex application challenges and ensure seamless integration of KUKA welding solutions in customer environments. Support and document technical issues or deviations in sales opportunities, maintaining clear communication with local and global stakeholders as well as customers to align on requirements and solution. Training & Knowledge Sharing: Develop and update technical training materials, including documentation, videos, and presentations, to educate internal Sales Application Engineers, customers, and partners on robotic welding processes, best practices, and new software features. Participate in and sometimes lead welding‑related training sessions and knowledge transfer activities to improve team capabilities across KUKA’s sales and support organization. Technical Expertise & Continuous Improvement: Maintain deep knowledge of KUKA’s full industrial robot product line and specialized welding application software (e.g., ArcTech, LaserTech, ServoGun tech packages). Test and verify new welding software releases and automation technologies (often in collaboration with our global R&D teams in Germany) to validate their performance and readiness for market. Provide feedback to product development on potential improvements or market‑driven features. Troubleshooting & Support: Diagnose and troubleshoot electrical, mechanical, or programming issues with robotic welding equipment and software that arise during pre‑sales demonstrations or customer trials, ensuring rapid resolution and effective knowledge capture for future reference. Support internal Technical Support teams in addressing advanced welding application challenges if escalated, bridging the gap between pre‑sales and post‑sales for critical customer needs. Customer Focus & Travel: Act as a customer‑focused technical advocate, ensuring exceptional service and product quality in all pre‑sale engagements. Travel to customer sites (domestic and some international travel) as required to assist with on‑site robotic weld system installations, commissioning, and customer acceptance testing, helping ensure successful adoption of KUKA’s welding automation solution. Teamwork & Safety: Promote teamwork and cooperation across departments and maintain a clean, safe, and organized work area in both laboratory and on‑site environments. Follow and enforce all safety regulations, utilizing appropriate safety equipment, and adhere to KUKA’s Quality System and continuous improvement processes in daily activities. Other Duties: Perform other related duties as assigned to support the success of the team and organization. Education and Experience Bachelor’s degree in Welding Engineering, Mechanical/Electrical Engineering or a related technical discipline; or a two‑year technical welding degree plus a minimum of 2 years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Professional experience (3+ years) in robotic welding applications or automation engineering roles is desired for full proficiency. Knowledge of welding processes (e.g., GMAW/MIG, GTAW/TIG, plasma welding, laser or hybrid welding) and metal cutting processes (e.g., plasma cutting, laser cutting) is required. Must have the ability to read welding drawings and a solid understanding of welding industry codes, standards, and certifications (e.g., AWS, ISO) to ensure compliance. Intermediate proficiency in computer applications (e.g., MS Office – Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint – and general Internet use) is expected. Required Skills / Knowledge Practical expertise in welding equipment and processes (including welding waveforms, shielding gases, filler metals, base materials). Hands‑on experience with robotic automation systems, particularly in programming, operating, and troubleshooting industrial robots (experience with KUKA robots or similar systems is preferred). Strong presentation and communication skills for customer‑facing technical demonstrations. Preferred Skills / Knowledge Familiarity with AutoCAD or similar CAD software for reviewing system designs. Experience with KUKA‑specific robot programming and operations as well as KUKA ArcTech, LaserTech, ServoGun or related welding application software. Prior exposure to robotic simulation tools (such as KUKA SimPro or similar) is preferred. Language Skills Ability to read, analyze, and interpret technical documentation, software specifications, and software system architectures. Ability to effectively present technical information to customers, sales teams, and executive management. Strong written communication skills for proposals, reports, and technical documentation. Ability to communicate effectively with team members. Members and Certificates, Licenses, Requirements Valid driver’s license. Valid passport; domestic and international travel required. KUKA is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to building an inclusive and diverse workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other factor protected by applicable federal, state or local laws. #J-18808-Ljbffr KUKA