Applications Engineer

Sterling Engineering, Inc.

Buffalo Grove, IL
7 days ago

$90,000–$120,000 Per Year

Highlights

The ideal candidate has proven experience in applications engineering, technical sales, factory automation, and machine design, along with exceptional customer-facing communication skills and the ability to lead technical discussions while supporting business development initiatives. This role is responsible for evaluating customer requirements, designing custom automation concepts, preparing technical proposals and cost estimates, and managing projects from initial concept through manufacturing, installation, commissioning, and production startup.

Numbers & Facts

Location	Buffalo Grove, IL
Industry	Staffing/Employment Agencies
Salary	$90,000–$120,000 Per Year
Company Size	500 to 999 employees
Year Founded	1969
Website	http://www.sterling-engineering.com

Description

Title: Applications Engineer – Custom Automation

Location: Buffalo Grove, IL Area (Onsite)

Hire Type: Full-Time, Direct Hire

Shift: Monday–Friday, Day Shift

Compensation: $90,000–$120,000 annually

Benefits:

401(k) with employer match
Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
HSA/FSA
Life and Disability Insurance
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Paid Time Off (PTO)
Tuition Reimbursement
Professional Development Assistance

Must Have Skill Set:

Must have a minimum of 5+ years of proven experience in custom automated machinery or factory automation.
Must have working knowledge of PLCs, robotics, conveyors, and industrial automation systems.
Must have strong experience with AutoCAD and SolidWorks.
Needs to have proven experience managing automation projects from concept through installation, commissioning, and production startup.

Overview:

We are seeking an experienced Applications / Sales Engineer with a strong background in custom automation and manufacturing systems to develop innovative automation solutions for customers. This role is responsible for evaluating customer requirements, designing custom automation concepts, preparing technical proposals and cost estimates, and managing projects from initial concept through manufacturing, installation, commissioning, and production startup. The ideal candidate has proven experience in applications engineering, technical sales, factory automation, and machine design, along with exceptional customer-facing communication skills and the ability to lead technical discussions while supporting business development initiatives. This position requires a highly collaborative engineering professional who thrives in a fast-paced manufacturing environment and enjoys solving complex automation challenges.

Job Duties:

Design, develop, and present complete custom automation solutions that improve manufacturing productivity and operational efficiency.
Evaluate customer requirements, specifications, manufacturing processes, and technical documentation to develop innovative automation concepts.
Prepare detailed proposals, quotations, budgets, layouts, project estimates, and supporting technical documentation.
Manage automation projects from concept, engineering release, manufacturing, installation, commissioning, startup, and production support.
Collaborate closely with customers, engineering teams, manufacturing, and operations to ensure successful project execution.
Meet directly with customers to identify new business opportunities, review project requirements, and provide technical expertise throughout the sales process.
Serve as the primary technical resource and subject matter expert for automation solutions and custom machinery.
Provide technical leadership, mentorship, and guidance to engineering team members.
Participate in project reviews, troubleshooting efforts, continuous improvement initiatives, and design optimization.
Support equipment installation, startup, system validation, and customer acceptance activities.
Travel to customer facilities for project meetings, equipment reviews, installation support, commissioning, and system acceptance as needed.

Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechatronics, Manufacturing Technology, or a related engineering discipline, or equivalent industry experience.
Minimum of 5 years of proven experience in custom automation, factory automation, or automated machinery.
Proven experience in applications engineering, automation systems integration, technical sales, or automation cost estimating is required.
Experience working with an automation systems integrator is highly preferred.
Strong proficiency using AutoCAD and SolidWorks.
Proven knowledge of PLCs, robotics, conveyors, machine design, and industrial automation systems.
Demonstrated experience managing multiple automation projects from concept through installation and commissioning.
Excellent technical writing, presentation, communication, and customer relationship skills.
Willingness and ability to travel approximately 25% to customer locations.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.

About Company

Sterling Engineering has been a trusted partner for engineering, project management, and staffing solutions for over five decades. We provide exceptional engineering/technical recruitment and engineering project services to clients nationwide:

Engineering & Technical Recruitment - With our focus on engineering, technical, and IT, Sterling has the in-depth knowledge, industry expertise, and robust employee pipeline it takes to rapidly find talent for even the most difficult to fill positions. Sterling’s extensive recruitment methodology allows us to engage the most talented employees in the marketplace. We offer exciting work and career-building opportunities for our candidates, along with expert support at every step of the process.

Engineering Project Services – Our experienced, multi-disciplined team of project managers, engineers, and designers, led by licensed Professional Engineers (PE), provide project management, engineering, design, and Commissioning, Qualification, and Validation (CQV) to manufacturing, OEM, and R&D customers. We work on complex, highly technical projects across a number of industry sectors, and our ability to scale and seamlessly integrate at multiple levels of your organization is what differentiates us.

Sterling offers a unique combination of engineering solutions and Best of Staffing level service to help our clients and talent achieve their goals.