Job Title: Applications EngineerJob DescriptionWe are seeking an experienced Applications Engineer to develop technical solutions and proposals for custom industrial equipment that incorporates advanced impregnation technology. In this role, you work directly with customers to understand their parts, processes, production requirements, quality standards, and business objectives, and translate those needs into practical, reliable, and costeffective equipment concepts. You focus heavily on concept development, customer interaction, technical proposals, and clear project handoffs to the Engineering team, with limited handson design responsibilities. This position plays a key role in growing the engineering organization and is highly visible and customerfacing within a consistently expanding business.Responsibilities
- Meet with customers to understand their manufacturing processes and define equipment and system requirements based on parts, production volumes, quality standards, and business objectives.
- Review customer specifications, RFQs, drawings, and technical requirements to evaluate applications and identify appropriate equipment solutions.
- Develop equipment concepts and complete system solutions for new applications and business opportunities, including custom industrial equipment that utilizes vacuum impregnation technology.
- Prepare clear project scopes, technical proposals, and preliminary cost estimates that address customer requirements and align with business objectives.
- Support project estimating efforts using historical costs, similar systems, vendor quotations, and engineering input to develop accurate and competitive proposals.
- Identify technical requirements, risks, assumptions, exclusions, and potential scope gaps during the proposal process and communicate them clearly to internal stakeholders and customers.
- Collaborate closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Purchasing, Controls, and Service teams to validate proposed solutions and ensure feasibility, reliability, and cost effectiveness.
- Support Sales during customer meetings, proposal reviews, and technical discussions by serving as a technical expert and helping to address questions and concerns.
- Develop concepts for baskets, fixtures, material handling devices, leaktest fixtures, and other applicationspecific tooling required for custom systems.
- Serve as a technical resource throughout the life of each project and maintain ongoing communication with the customer to support design, implementation, and performance expectations.
- Provide a clear technical and commercial handoff of awarded projects to Engineering, including documentation of scope, assumptions, costs, and customer requirements.
- Maintain accurate costing for all active projects and quotations, updating estimates as needed to reflect changes in scope, design, or vendor pricing.
- Support project engineering activities and maintain a strong customer presence throughout the project, from concept through installation and commissioning.
- Update and maintain project documentation to ensure that designs, proposals, and cost information remain current and accessible to the broader team.
- Manage smallscale projects such as tooling and fixtures from concept through completion, ensuring that deliverables meet technical and commercial expectations.
- Mentor and support engineers by communicating design concepts, application requirements, and lessons learned from customer interactions and past projects.
- Travel approximately 1530%, including occasional international trips, typically about once per month for multiday customer or site visits.
- Work on projects with varying durations, ranging from several months to multiyear engagements, and maintain focus and continuity across the project portfolio.
Essential Skills
- 10+ years of experience in custom equipment, machine design, applications engineering, or related industrial equipment fields.
- Demonstrated experience developing and quoting custom equipment or engineered systems, including the ability to translate customer process requirements into equipment concepts.
- Proficiency with CAD tools and the ability to interpret and work with engineering drawings.
- Strong knowledge of custom industrial equipment and systemlevel design, including experience developing equipment concepts from customer process requirements.
- Mechanical aptitude with a working knowledge of electrical and controls systems used in industrial equipment.
- Experience estimating equipment, fabrication, purchased components, engineering, and installation costs for complex systems.
- Strong customer communication skills, including the ability to lead technical discussions, present proposals, and build longterm relationships.
- Ability to travel 1530%, including occasional international travel, and to represent the company professionally at customer sites.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Bachelors or associate degree in engineering or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Familiarity with industrial thermal, vacuum, fluidhandling, and automated equipment.
- Experience with vacuum impregnation processes or similar technologies that seal porosity and leak paths in cast or molded parts.
- Experience with custom equipment companies or commercial equipment and systems sales environments.
- Ability to work effectively in crossfunctional teams involving Engineering, Manufacturing, Purchasing, Controls, Service, and Sales.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, including projects ranging from several months to multiple years.
- Interest in contributing to a growing engineering team and taking on a visible, customerfacing role within a rapidly expanding organization.
Work EnvironmentThis role is based in a standard office environment attached to a manufacturing facility, providing direct access to production operations and equipment. The team offers a hybrid work schedule with three days remote and two days onsite each week, allowing flexibility while maintaining close collaboration with colleagues and access to the shop floor when needed. You join a laidback, friendly group of approximately six engineers who value teamwork, open communication, and mutual support. The company is consistently growing, with a track record of significant yearoveryear expansion and a culture that recognizes the importance of worklife balance, including seasonal Friday time off when work commitments are met. Job Type & LocationThis is a Permanent position based out of Aurora, OH. Pay and BenefitsThe pay range for this position is $130000.00 - $150000.00/yr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.Medical insurance, Vision insurance, Dental insurance, 401(k) Job Type & LocationThis is a Permanent position based out of Aurora, OH. Application DeadlineThis position is anticipated to close on Nov 11, 2026. Workplace TypeThis is a hybrid position in Aurora,OH.About Actalent
Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.
The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.
If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.
San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Massachusetts Lie Detector:
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):
We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.