Strategic Solutions Engineer - San Francisco, CA

Job Description

Job Description

About MISUMI Americas

MISUMI Americas, a division of MISUMI Group, is a leading provider of standard, configurable, and custom manufacturing solutions. By integrating a vast catalog of components with a world-class digital manufacturing platform, MISUMI Americas empowers engineers and procurement teams to accelerate innovation across the entire product lifecycle. With operations in the San Francisco Bay Area and Chicago, the company serves as a vital partner for the most innovative companies in the Americas.

Impact In This Role

Misumi Americas is seeking a Strategic Solutions Engineer to join our solution engineering team focused on strategic, high-complexity, production-level customer programs. This role sits at the intersection of engineering, manufacturing, customer advisory, and commercial execution, supporting customers as they scale from prototype into production.

The ideal candidate brings deep experience in CNC machining, casting and sheet metal fabrication, CAD, strong technical communication skills, and the ability to guide customers through DFM/DFA, production readiness, operational/program support, cost optimization, and mechanical assembly considerations. This role is highly customer-facing and requires comfort operating in ambiguous, high-stakes environments.

What You'll Be Doing

Customer & Program/Production Support

• Serve as a trusted technical advisor/guide for strategic customers with complex CNC and sheet metal manufacturing needs.
• Lead technical scoping discussions, translating customer requirements into manufacturable, scalable solutions.
• Support customers through prototype → production transitions, anticipating manufacturing risks early.

Manufacturing & DFM Expertise

• Perform detailed DFM/DFA reviews for CNC-machined and sheet metal components.
• Evaluate part geometry, tolerances, GD&T, material selection, and finish requirements for manufacturability and cost.
• Provide cost optimization recommendations based on process selection, feature simplification, and volume scaling.
• Support quoting efforts with manufacturing-informed input on feasibility, risk, and lead time.

Assembly & System-Level Understanding/Support

• Evaluate and guide on mechanical assemblies, including:
• Part-to-part fit, stack-ups, and tolerance interactions
• Fastener selection, joint design, and access for assembly
• Assembly sequencing and installation considerations
• Help customers identify risks related to assembly, serviceability, and field installation.
• Provide feedback that improves downstream assembly efficiency and reduces rework.

Technical Execution

• Review and interpret engineering drawings with strong command of GD&T.
• Perform CAD work, including:
• Design updates for manufacturability
• Parametric 3D Modeling & Visualization
• Detailed Documentation & Drafting with GD&T
• Optimizing CAD — CNC to Die Cast and 3DP to IM
• Reverse engineering
• Leverage AI tools (e.g., Claude and other AI assistants) to accelerate DFM analysis, documentation, customer-facing content creation, and day-to-day engineering workflows.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Sales, Operations, Quality, and LoB teams.

Quality & Compliance Awareness

• Apply working knowledge of ISO 9001 and AS9100D requirements in customer discussions and internal workflows.
• Identify quality risks early and ensure proper requirements definition ("quality in, quality out").

Desired Traits

• 6+ years of relevant experience in manufacturing roles such as CNC, Sheet Metal, or Die Casting (candidates with deeper experience are strongly encouraged to apply).
• Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering or related field, or equivalent demonstrated hands-on experience.
• Strong expertise in CNC machining processes (milling, turning, multi-axis), Die Casting, and Sheet metal fabrication (forming, punching, laser, bending).
• DFM, cost optimization, and manufacturing trade-off fluency.
• Hands-on experience in production-scale manufacturing programs.
• Proven ability to interpret and apply engineering drawings and GD&T.
• Solid understanding of mechanical assemblies and installation considerations.
• Experience supporting customer-facing technical discussions.
• Familiarity with ISO 9001 and AS9100D compliance environments.
• Willingness and ability to travel 30–40%.
• Proficiency with Google Workspace and/or Microsoft Office.
• Strong verbal, written, and digital communication skills.
• SolidWorks CAD proficiency.
• Strong presentation skills, including proficiency using AI tools (e.g., Claude) to build compelling technical presentations, reports, and customer-facing deliverables.
• Willingness to perform hands-on CAD work and reverse engineering as needed.
• Willingness to support the Marketing team with technical publications, seminars, university lectures, and other related activities as needed.

Nice-to-Have Qualifications

• Experience with Injection Molding (IM) and/or Additive Manufacturing (3DP).
• Prior experience working with external suppliers or contract manufacturers.
• Experience integrating AI/LLM tools into engineering or customer-facing workflows.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Standard Office & Remote Work: Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer for remote customer consultations.
• Onsite Environments: Must be able to walk and stand on manufacturing floors and trade show environments for extended periods. Must be able to safely navigate industrial areas around heavy machinery and wear required PPE (safety glasses, safety shoes, hearing protection).
• Lifting & Handling: Ability to occasionally lift, move, and position mechanical parts, prototypes, or trade show materials weighing up to 30 lbs.

Perks and Benefits

• Competitive medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401K plan
• Parental leave programs 
• Paid volunteer days
• And much, much more!

Salary Range: $150,000 to $170,000 per year, based upon experience

Interested in learning more? We look forward to hearing from you soon.

We're actively seeking teammates who:

• Bring diverse perspectives and experience to our culture and company. 
• Excel at being part of a strong, empathetic team.
• Thrive in an environment emphasizing respect, honesty, collaboration, and growth.
• Have an 'always learning' mindset that celebrates learning, not just wins. 
• Help us continue to build a world-class organization that values the contributions of all of our teammates

We encourage applications from members of underrepresented groups, including but not limited to women, members of the LGBTQ community, people of color, people with disabilities, and veterans.