Reports To: Applications Engineering Manager

Work Location: Onsite - Eden Prairie, MN

Position Summary

The Applications Engineer is responsible for supporting customers throughout their journey with Third Wave Systems (TWS) solutions, from initial software evaluations through implementation, training, and ongoing success. This customer-facing role works closely with Sales, Product Management, Development, and Customer Success teams to provide technical expertise, deliver exceptional customer experiences, and identify opportunities for customer growth and adoption.

The ideal candidate is a motivated engineer who enjoys solving manufacturing challenges, working directly with customers, and helping organizations improve machining processes through software technology.

Core Responsibilities

Customer Engagement & Technical Support

• Serve as a primary technical resource for customers throughout their lifecycle with TWS solutions.
• Lead software evaluations, proof of concept projects, onboarding, and implementation activities with minimal management.
• Respond to customer and distributor inquiries, troubleshoot technical issues, and coordinate solutions with internal teams.
• Build strong customer relationships to promote successful adoption and long-term satisfaction.

Training & Professional Services

• Deliver customer and distributor training through workshops, webinars, and one-on-one sessions.
• Develop application examples, training materials, and technical documentation.
• Lead paid service engagements focused on process improvement, software application, and manufacturing optimization.
• Document project outcomes and provide recommendations to customers.

Business Development & Industry Support

• Partner with Sales to provide technical support for customer meetings, demonstrations, and evaluations.
• Represent TWS at trade shows, webinars, and industry events while serving as a knowledgeable technical ambassador for the organization.
• Promote awareness and adoption of new software features, capabilities, and best practices.
• Identify opportunities for additional services, product expansion, and customer growth.
• Provide technical guidance that supports sales strategy and customer decision-making.

Product, Process & Organizational Contribution

• Capture and communicate customer feedback, enhancement requests, and support trends.
• Collaborate with Product Management, Development, and Quality teams to improve products and customer experience.
• Mentor less experienced team members through knowledge sharing, documentation, and peer support when appropriate

Requirements

Knowledge, Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master’s degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Industrial, or related Engineering field
• 3+ years of relevant experience in machining, applications engineering, manufacturing processes, finite element analysis, or CAD/CAM/CAE software.
• Ability to demonstrate Third Wave Systems Core Values: See the Big Picture, Take Action, Collaborate, Make an Impact
• Demonstrates a high level of dependability, ownership, and accountability; consistently delivers on commitments and proactively assumes additional responsibility.
• Able to navigate ambiguity and determine appropriate next steps with limited direction.
• Demonstrates intermediate machining, engineering, and manufacturing domain knowledge and applies that knowledge to customer challenges and application development.
• Identifies requirements, assumptions, and inputs needed to solve technical problems and can independently execute routine assignments.
• Thinks critically about requirements, asks thoughtful questions, and seeks to understand the underlying business or technical objectives.
• Communicates effectively with customers, distributors, and internal stakeholders across functional teams.
• Actively seeks opportunities to learn new technologies, tools, processes, and industry trends.
• Identifies process inefficiencies and recommends improvements that increase quality, consistency, or efficiency.
• Contributes ideas that improve products, customer experience, and business processes.
• Willingness to travel approximately 25%

Benefits

The salary range is $85,000-$100,000.

Third Wave Systems offers a comprehensive employee benefits program for full-time employees.

• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• HSA
• 401 (k) + Employer Match
• Paid time off
• Holiday pay