Application Engineering Manager

The Manager of the Mastercam Center for Advanced Manufacturingleads the team and the day-to-day operations, development, and continuous improvement of the Mastercam Center for Advanced Manufacturing, including the Digital Manufacturing Engineeringspaces and Manufacturing Lab. The role turns the center into a practical, customer-relevant environment for demonstrating the complete manufacturing lifecycle: consultation, design, process planning, programming, machining, inspection, analysis, and delivery of a finished part. This position manages a multidisciplinary technical team and works cross-functionally with Product Management, R&D, Customer Success, Applications, Marketing, Strategy, Partnership, Commercial teams, and Sandvik business areas. The manager ensures the center remains safe, current, credible, productive, and demonstration-ready while supporting product validation, benchmarking, customer engagement, training, application engineering, marketing initiatives, content production, and strategic manufacturing initiatives. How You’ll Drive Success Leadership & Team Development Lead, coach, and develop the team, establishing clear priorities, measurable goals, performance expectations, and development plans. Plan team capacity and assign work across product validation, customer projects, demonstrations, training, benchmarking, manufacturing services, and internal engineering requests. Build cross-training and succession plans for critical programming, machining, metrology, automation, and digital manufacturing capabilities. Participate in recruiting and selection activities; onboard new team members and maintain a strong technical learning culture. Promote collaboration, curiosity, accountability, customer focus, continuous improvement, and a safety-first mindset. Center for Advanced Manufacturing Operations Own the day-to-day operation, readiness, scheduling, utilization, and presentation of the Digital Manufacturing and Engineering spaces and Manufacturing Lab. Maintain a published schedule and transparent intake and prioritization process for customer demonstrations, product testing, training, application engineering, content creation, partner activity, and manufacturing projects. Establish and maintain standard work for programming, setup, machining, inspection, documentation, material handling, preventive maintenance, and housekeeping. Ensure equipment, software, tooling, work-holding, metrology systems, and supporting infrastructure are available, maintained, calibrated where required, and ready for safe use. Monitor utilization, project flow, equipment availability, quality, cost, and delivery performance; identify and implement improvements. Coordinate planned maintenance, service, installation, commissioning, and technology refresh activity with internal stakeholders and external partners. Digital Manufacturing Engineering & Product Validation Partner with Product Management and R&D to test and validate Mastercam capabilities using representative parts, machines, materials, tooling, and production workflows. Develop repeatable benchmarks, test plans, acceptance criteria, and documented results for software, post processors, machine environments, integrations, and emerging manufacturing technologies. Capture real-world findings and provide structured, prioritized, reproducible feedback to Product Management and R&D. Support beta testing, proof-of-concept work, customer issue reproduction, and technical investigations that benefit from physical manufacturing validation. Ensure Mastercam is the primary CAM toolset used within the center while supporting integrated Sandvik and approved partner solutions where they strengthen the end-to-end workflow. Protect customer- and partner-supplied technical data in accordance with company data handling, cybersecurity, intellectual property, and export control requirements. Advance connected workflows across design, process planning, CAM programming, simulation, post processing, machine execution, inspection, analytics, and closed-loop feedback. Partner IT, Product, and Sandvik teams to implement appropriate machine connectivity, data collection, dashboards, and manufacturing intelligence capabilities. Evaluate practical applications of digital twins, automation, robotics, machine monitoring, additive manufacturing, AI-assisted workflows, and connected equipment. Use manufacturing data and lessons learned to improve operations, demonstrations, product feedback, and customer-facing use cases. Promote an open, integrated ecosystem that demonstrates how Mastercam and Sandvik offerings work with complementary third‑party technologies. Customer, Partner & Industry Engagement Serve as a technical ambassador for the Center for Advanced Manufacturing during customer visits, executive briefings, partner demonstrations, internal events, and industry engagements. Work with Commercial, Customer Success, Applications, and Marketing teams to translate customer needs into credible demonstrations, proof-of-concept projects, and technical experiences. Manage day-to-day technical relationships with machine tool builders, tooling suppliers, work‑holding providers, automation companies, metrology partners, software vendors, and educational institutions. Coordinate partner equipment, training, service, demonstration, and joint‑content commitments in alignment with approved agreements. Represent Mastercam professionally at customer sites, partner facilities, trade shows, conferences, and industry events as required. Manufacturing Projects & Quality Oversee internal and external manufacturing projects performed in the center from intake and estimation through planning, execution, inspection, documentation, and closeout. Ensure jobs are properly scoped, prioritized, scheduled, resourced, and completed in accordance with agreed technical, quality, cost, and delivery expectations. Maintain appropriate inspection plans, measurement records, quality reports, job documentation, and traceability. Lead root‑cause analysis and corrective action for quality escapes, equipment‑related issues, process failures, and recurring technical problems. Balance demonstration, engineering, and manufacturing‑service demands without compromising product validation, customer commitments, safety, or quality. Safety, Compliance & Risk Management Maintain a safe manufacturing and demonstration environment and ensure compliance with established Mastercam and Sandvik EHS requirements. Ensure employees, contractors, partners, and visitors receive required orientation, training, personal protective equipment, and supervision before entering or working in controlled areas. Maintain machine‑specific work instructions, risk assessments, lockout/tagout expectations, chemical documentation, and safe operating procedures. Report incidents, near misses, hazards, and equipment concerns promptly; support investigations and corrective actions through closure. Maintain required records and coordinate with the Director of Advanced Manufacturing, Facilities & EHS or SVP of Operations on audits, inspections, emergency response, waste handling, and regulatory requirements. Exercise stop‑work authority when conditions are unsafe or required controls are not in place. Budget, Planning & Reporting Develop and manage the operating budget for the Digital Manufacturing Engineering team and Mastercam Center for Advanced Manufacturing in coordination with the Finance department. Prepare equipment, software, tooling, and technology investment requests supported by business need, total cost of ownership, capability impact, and implementation plans. Maintain a capability roadmap that aligns investments and team development with Mastercam product strategy, customer needs, and Sandvik priorities. Provide regular reporting on utilization, project portfolio, capability development, customer and partner activity, product‑validation findings, safety, budget, risks, and improvement actions. Perform other duties as needed. The Talents We’re Seeking Education Bachelor's degree in manufacturing engineering, mechanical engineering, industrial engineering, mechatronics, industrial technology, or a related field strongly preferred, or equivalent relevant experience. Professional certification or advanced training in a relevant discipline preferred, such as Certified Manufacturing Engineer, Lean Six Sigma, PMP, OSHA 30, or equivalent technical credentials. Required Skills Minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in manufacturing engineering, CNC programming, applications engineering, manufacturing operations, product validation, or advanced manufacturing, including at least 3 years of direct or indirect people leadership. Demonstrated working knowledge of CNC machining and CAM programming across multiple machine types, including 3-, 4-, and 5‑axis milling, turning, and mill‑turn; Mastercam proficiency strongly preferred. Experience leading work in a manufacturing environment, applications center, demonstration center, prototype environment, or comparable advanced manufacturing operation. Experience supporting software testing, product validation, benchmarking, customer demonstrations, proof‑of‑concept work, or engineering investigations. Working knowledge of tooling, work‑holding, metrology, inspection, machine simulation, post processing, automation, and connected manufacturing systems. Experience managing technical projects, vendors, equipment installations, operating budgets, and capital requests. Experience collaborating across Product, R&D, Commercial, Customer Success, Marketing, IT, Operations, and external technology partners. Preferred Skills Strong technical leadership, coaching, organizational, analytical, and problem‑solving skills. Ability to translate manufacturing requirements into clear priorities, test plans, demonstrations, and measurable deliverables. Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the presence to represent Mastercam to customers, partners, vendors, and Sandvik stakeholders. Ability to manage multiple projects and competing priorities in a fast‑paced environment while maintaining safety, quality, and customer commitments. Demonstrated commitment to continuous improvement, standard work, accurate documentation, and data‑driven decision‑making. Working proficiency in Microsoft 365 and project management tools; experience with reporting and dashboard tools preferred. Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally to customer sites, partner locations, and industry events, approximately 15%. Availability to support occasional demonstrations, events, installations, or urgent equipment matters outside normal business hours. Who We Are At Mastercam, we do not just keep pace with manufacturing—we set the pace. For over 40 years, we have been the name behind the breakthroughs, the partner for those who refuse to settle. When the industry says “too complex,” we say, “challenge accepted.” We are more than software. We are a movement of makers, innovators, and problem‑solvers driving transformation across the globe. Backed by a network of 400 Channel Partners and a thriving developer community, Mastercam delivers the tools and expertise to turn ambitious ideas into flawless reality. From aerospace to automotive, medical to education, we empower manufacturers to push boundaries and redefine what is possible. As part of Intelligent Manufacturing and the Sandvik Group, we are leading the charge in digital transformation. Our team of 500+ professionals is united by a single mission: to help achieve precision, productivity, and performance without compromise. Our Core Values? They are not just words. They are how we win: Winning Together: Collaboration is not optional—it is the engine that drives us. Responsibility: Safety, integrity, and sustainability aren’t boxes to check—they are the foundation of trust. Innovation. Collaboration. Growth. That is the Mastercam way. Explore more at connect on LinkedIn, and join the conversation with #mastercam. The next big challenge is waiting—are you ready to accept? It is the policy of the company to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and employment applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, or national origin or any other classification protected by applicable local or state laws. EOE/M/F/Vet/Disabled are encouraged to apply. #J-18808-Ljbffr