Senior Applications Engineer - Life Sciences & Pharmaceutical

Overview:

The Senior Applications Engineer leads the technical development of complex automation proposals, translating customer needs into effective engineered solutions while guiding technical strategy and collaborating across teams. The role blends technical expertise, commercial insight, and leadership, with opportunities to solve challenging automation problems and mentor junior talent.

This position is ideal for professionals experienced in life sciences and pharmaceutical manufacturing .

Success requires familiarity with precision medical assembly, cleanroom-compatible automation, serialization and track-and-trace, vision inspection, regulated packaging, high-speed robotics, and validated turnkey production systems.

Key Responsibilities:

Lead Technical Solution Development

• Analyze RFQs, RFPs, URS, and SOW documents to develop tailored machine/process solutions that meet or exceed client expectations.
• Engage in creative problem-solving, leveraging a deep understanding of our product capabilities and industry trends to devise innovative solutions.
• Craft comprehensive concepts that include detailed technical proposals including layouts, cycle time analysis, simulations, and system architecture.
• Ensure proposals accurately represent our capabilities and address customer needs, serving as the foundation for potential projects.

Own the Proposal Process

• Lead the proposal development process-including ROM, budgetary, and firm proposals-to deliver high-quality, data-driven solutions.
• Drive whiteboarding sessions and structured technical reviews.
• Develop accurate cost estimates by leveraging historical data and obtaining quotes for specialized components.
• Develop requirements traceability matrices and ensure pricing alignment.
• Convey complex technical and financial information to various stakeholders, including the sales team, management, and potential customers.

Manage Risk & Technical Evaluation

• Lead structured specification reviews to identify regulatory requirements, validation needs (IQ/OQ/PQ), traceability expectations, and critical process parameters.
• Assist Sales in presenting proposals to customers, addressing technical queries, and providing clarifications.
• Proactively mitigate technical and commercial risk in customer requirements and proposed concepts.

Collaborate Cross-Functionally

• Partner with Mechanical, Electrical, Controls, Software, and Quality teams.
• Attend kick-off meetings and support the execution team in the initial stages of awarded projects.
• Ensure a smooth handover of technical information and project requirements to the execution team.

Continuous Improvement

• Collaborate in identifying opportunities for process enhancements and shaping organizational best practices.
• Provide coaching and mentorship to Applications Engineers to develop skills and strengthen overall workforce capability.
• Any additional duties assigned by management

Qualifications & Experience:

Any combination of education and/or experience providing the required skills and knowledge for successful job performance will be considered. Typical qualifications would be:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Biomedical, Mechatronics, or related discipline) preferred
• 8+ years of direct industry experience in custom automation, with significant exposure to:
• Medical Device manufacturing
• Pharmaceutical or Life Sciences automation
• Cleanroom or GMP-regulated environments
• Experience interpreting URS documentation and regulatory specifications.
• Strong understanding of validation principles (IQ/OQ/PQ), traceability and serializations systems.
• Experience designing automation for ISO-regulated or FDA-regulated environments, is preferred.
• Demonstrated success leading complex, multi-disciplinary proposals.
• Strong commercial awareness and cost development experience.
• Experience with 3D modelling (AutoCAD, Inventor, etc.) and concept visualization tools.

Key Skills & Abilities:

The ideal candidate must be a rigorous analytical thinker and problem solver with the following professional attributes:

• Ability to balance multiple projects and meet aggressive deadlines.
• Strong work ethic
• Strong presentation and public speaking
• Excellent Verbal and Written Communication
• Analytical approach to Problem solving
• Critical Thinking
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite of products including Teams and OneDrive
• 3-D Modeling Software or Animation is a (+).

Work Location/ Travel:

• Flexibility for on-site and remote work may be available
• On-Site presence is preferred
• For remote employees, on-site presence will be required 6 weeks per year, in addition to other travel obligations.
• Travel may be up to 25%
• Travel to our facilities in the United Kingdom or Ireland may be required
• Additional travel to visit customers may also be required
• Final work arrangement will be clearly documented in the offer letter for selected candidates.

What we offer:

In AIR, we offer a comprehensive benefits package to support our employees' well-being and professional development, including flexible work arrangements, health insurance contributions, company bonus, maternity and paternity leave, pension plan, training support, and various wellness initiatives.

About AIR:

Established 2023, Automated Industrial Robotics Inc from Los Angeles, USA and funded by ARES Management private equity group, AIR is a trusted automation partner empowering our customers to innovate, produce and scale through technology-enabled manufacturing. With more than $160M in annual revenue, 500+ employees, and over 400,000 sq. ft. of engineering and manufacturing capacity, with locations across the U.S., UK, and Ireland.


We design and build bespoke automation systems ranging from standalone machines to fully integrated turnkey production lines across some of the world's most demanding industries.

This job description is intended as a summary of the primary responsibilities and qualifications for this position. It is not exhaustive and may be subject to change.


AIR is an Equal Opportunities Employer