Applications Engineer – CNC Machine Tools (USA)

Company: Jyoti CNC Automation
Location: USA Tech Centre (occasional customer site visits)
Reports To: Zone Head / Tech Centre Head
Functional Coordination: Sales Engineers
Schedule: Monday–Friday, Core Business Hours
Travel: Variable (Tech Centre–based; occasional customer visits)
FLSA Status: Exempt (confirm if hourly/non-exempt is preferred

Base Salary: $100k + 10% KPI performance

Role Summary
The Applications Engineer is responsible for hands-on demonstration of CNC machine capability, customer application validation, cycle-time proving, and technical feasibility support for sales. This role plays a direct role in order conversion by ensuring machining performance, process integrity, and technical commitments are accurate, achievable, and defensible.
This is a shop-floor, demo-driven technical role requiring strong machining, programming, and customer-facing skills.

Essential Functions & Key Responsibilities

1) Demo & Application Proving
• Operate, set up, and manage CNC demo machines at the Tech Centre.
• Conduct customer part prove-outs, machining trials, and test cuts.
• Validate cycle time, accuracy, surface finish, and process repeatability within acceptable tolerances.
• Ensure demo machines remain calibrated, properly tooled, and ready for customer demonstrations.

2) Process & Technical Support
• Develop machining process plans, tooling lists, and setup concepts.
• Define cutting parameters, fixturing, workholding, and inspection approach.
• Support Sales Engineers during RFQs, technical reviews, and customer meetings.
• Validate application feasibility prior to quotation release to ensure technical commitments are achievable.

3) Sales Enablement
• Provide technical leadership during sales meetings and customer presentations.
• Clearly explain machine capabilities, process advantages, and application limits.
• Address and counter competitor technical claims with data-driven justification.
• Ensure all technical commitments accurately reflect real-world machine performance.

4) Customer Training & Handover
• Train customers on machine operation, programming fundamentals, and best practices.
• Support first-article trials and initial optimization following installation when required.
• Ensure a clear and complete technical handover to the Service team.

5) Documentation & Discipline
• Maintain application records, cutting data, demo results, and process documentation.
• Document lessons learned from demos, trials, and customer applications.
• Participate in technical review meetings and contribute improvement ideas.

Performance Metrics (KPIs)

• Demo-to-order conversion rate
• Accuracy of cycle-time, process, and technical commitments
• RFQ feasibility response time
• Demo machine uptime, readiness, and utilization
• Customer technical satisfaction and feedback

Requirements

Qualifications & Experience

• Diploma, Associate’s, or Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Manufacturing Engineering, or equivalent machining experience.
• 5–12 years of hands-on CNC machining, setup, and programming experience.
• Strong knowledge of cutting tools, fixturing, and machining processes (turning, milling, multitasking, 5-axis preferred).
• Experience with Fanuc, Siemens, or similar CNC control platforms.
• Ability to communicate technical concepts clearly to customers and sales teams.
• Comfortable working in a demo-driven, customer-facing technical sales environment.

Work Environment & Physical Demands

Exposure to manufacturing and machining environments with hazards such as noise, electricity, chemicals, heavy equipment, and automated/manual machinery.
Physical demands include standing, walking, bending, machine setup, operating equipment, lifting/pushing/pulling tooling and fixtures, and periodic travel.