Application Engineer

Novanta•Irvine, CA

2d•$116,000 - $174,000

About The Position

Novanta is hiring a customer-facing Sales Application Engineer to serve as the technical bridge between customers, Sales, and Engineering. The role turns customer challenges into high-performance motion-control solutions with measurable value. It involves understanding customer applications, demonstrating Novanta technology, and developing and validating solutions through hands-on prototyping, testing, and technical problem-solving. The position combines technical expertise with commercial impact and offers the opportunity to influence customer solutions, contribute to product direction, and support customer success and business growth. The engineer partners with Sales and customers to understand application requirements and recommend appropriate solutions, while explaining technical performance, tradeoffs, and business value. They demonstrate, prototype, test, and qualify solutions; combine Novanta capabilities with complementary third-party technologies; and provide technical input on feasibility, costing, product conversions, and customer onboarding. They also bring customer feedback to Engineering, Product Management, Operations, and Quality to optimize solutions and inform product direction. The role requires approximately 50% travel, primarily domestic, with limited international travel based on business needs. Travel may include customer visits, industry events, product training, and visits to other Novanta locations. The base pay is $116,000–$174,000 per year, depending on geographic market, with competitive quarterly sales compensation based on achievement to plan. Novanta states that the position provides a full range of medical, financial, and other benefits.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
Five or more years of experience supporting motion-control products, including linear bearings, linear motors, feedback systems, drives, and controllers.
Experience in technical sales, applications engineering, or a comparable customer-facing technical role.
Ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear recommendations for technical and nontechnical audiences.
Strong understanding of manufacturing considerations, market segments, and customer workflows, including factors affecting bill of material costs, customer ROI, and key performance indicators.
Strong project management skills and ability to develop prototypes, integrate value-added technologies, manage multiple priorities, and work effectively across functions.
Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and stand for extended periods.
Ability to support hands-on prototype development, testing, demonstrations, and application qualification activities.
Ability to travel approximately 50% of the time, primarily domestically, with limited international travel based on business needs.

Responsibilities

Partner with Sales and customers to understand complex application requirements and recommend fit-for-purpose motion-control solutions.
Communicate technical performance, tradeoffs, and business value clearly.
Demonstrate Novanta technology through customer demonstrations, hands-on prototyping, application testing, and solution qualification.
Develop value-added solutions combining Novanta capabilities with complementary third-party technologies.
Provide technical input on feasibility, costing, product conversions, and customer onboarding.
Work with Engineering, Product Management, Operations, and Quality to convey customer feedback, optimize solutions, inform product direction, and deliver a strong customer experience.
Travel to work directly with customers and stay connected to relevant applications, technologies, and markets.