Application Engineer - Adhesive Dispensing and Processing

3M•Maplewood, MN

10d•$98,964 - $120,957•Onsite

About The Position

As an Advanced Application Engineer for 3M’s Industrial Adhesives and Tapes Division global Adhesives and Electronics Bonding businesses, this role develops and optimizes adhesive dispensing processes for new product introduction programs, from concept development through production launch. The position designs and executes application trials, feasibility studies, and proof-of-concept evaluations to assess adhesive materials, dispensing methods, equipment configurations, and process performance. The engineer establishes and documents process parameters for adhesive dispense applications, including flow rate, bead geometry, shot size, placement accuracy, cure conditions, environmental controls, and manufacturing process windows. The role applies knowledge of rheology, viscosity, thixotropy, cure behavior, and material flow to improve dispense performance, process robustness, product quality, and manufacturability. It collaborates with product development, manufacturing, quality, automation, and customer-facing teams to turn application requirements into scalable dispensing solutions and technical recommendations. The position follows an on-site working model, requiring at least four days a week in Maplewood, Minnesota. Travel may include up to 20% domestic or international travel. Relocation assistance may be authorized. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the country of employment without sponsorship for employment visa status.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or higher in science or engineering from an accredited institution, completed and verified before start.
At least one year of experience in process development, application engineering, precision dispensing, fluid handling systems, automation, robotics, electronics manufacturing, or manufacturing process optimization in a private, public, government, or military environment.
Legally authorized to work in the country of employment without sponsorship for employment visa status.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with adhesives, sealants, coatings, encapsulants, or similar fluid materials in application development, manufacturing, or product development environments.
Technical understanding of how rheology, viscosity, thixotropy, cure behavior, and material flow characteristics influence dispensing performance and final application quality.
Experience developing, validating, or optimizing process parameters, process windows, equipment settings, or manufacturing recommendations.
Experience with dispensing equipment and systems, including valves, pumps, nozzles, controllers, robotic dispense platforms, automated dispensing systems, or related manufacturing equipment.
Familiarity with cure mechanisms including UV cure, thermal cure, moisture cure, two-part mixing, or room-temperature cure adhesive systems.

Responsibilities

Develop and optimize adhesive dispensing processes for New Product Introduction programs from concept development through production launch.
Design and execute application trials, feasibility studies, and proof-of-concept evaluations to assess adhesive materials, dispensing methods, equipment configurations, and process performance.
Establish and document engineering process parameters for adhesive dispense applications, including flow rate, bead geometry, shot size, placement accuracy, cure conditions, environmental controls, and manufacturing process windows.
Apply engineering knowledge of rheology, viscosity, thixotropy, cure behavior, and material flow characteristics to improve dispense performance, process robustness, product quality, and manufacturability.
Collaborate with product development, manufacturing, quality, automation, and customer-facing teams to translate application requirements into scalable adhesive dispensing solutions and technical recommendations.
Comply with corporate policies, procedures, and security standards while performing assigned duties.
Contribute to a strong Environmental Health and Safety culture by following safety policies, identifying hazards, and engaging in continuous improvement.