Applications Engineer Level 4

Axis Automation•Walker, MI

About The Position

The Applications Engineer Level 4 is an advanced individual contributor within the Applications Engineering department responsible for leading complex quotation activities, developing customer-focused automation concepts, preparing accurate proposals, and supporting awarded solutions through project transition. This role requires strong experience in manufacturing, custom automated equipment, project budgeting, process development, and the engineering disciplines required to generate technically sound and commercially responsible proposals. The Applications Engineer Level 4 is expected to operate with a high degree of independence and judgment while contributing to the overall strength of the department through proposal quality, customer credibility, technical knowledge sharing, and support of less experienced Applications Engineers. This position is not a formal leadership role and does not carry responsibility for personnel management. The Applications Engineer Level 4 serves as a trusted technical and commercial contributor capable of leading complex customer opportunities, developing practical automation solutions, communicating effectively with customers and internal teams, and helping strengthen proposal consistency through experience, sound judgment, and peer support.

Requirements

This position is subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) which requires U.S. person status. ITAR defines U.S. person as a U.S. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident (i.e. 'Green Card Holder'), Political Asylee, or Refugee.
Bachelor's Degree in an engineering-related field preferred, or comparable field experience in industrial automation, manufacturing engineering, applications engineering, or a similar technical role.
Minimum 5 years of experience in industrial automation, manufacturing engineering, applications engineering, project budgeting, quoting, project management, or similar responsibilities within a relevant industry.
Strong knowledge of custom automated equipment, manufacturing processes, process development, project budgeting, estimating, cycle time analysis, risk identification, and proposal generation.
Familiarity with automated processes and equipment including assembly, welding, adhesive, machining, robotic systems, inspection, material handling, or similar manufacturing technologies.
Demonstrated ability to prepare complete, organized, and technically sound proposals for custom automation opportunities.
Capable of defining process steps, developing concepts, identifying assumptions, coordinating supplier input, estimating cost and timing, and communicating scope clearly to internal and external stakeholders.
Comfortable speaking technically with co-workers, customers, suppliers, and cross-functional team members.
Able to communicate customer expectations, project assumptions, proposal risks, and technical considerations clearly and professionally.
Able to support less experienced Applications Engineers through technical guidance, review participation, knowledge sharing, and example-based assistance without formal leadership or personnel management responsibility.
Competent with Microsoft Office applications including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
Familiarity with CAD, 3D modeling, viewing software, Visual Components, Spinfire, or similar tools.

Responsibilities

Prepare detailed automation proposals including manufacturing concepts, process steps, budgets, cycle time analysis, labor estimates, material requirements, risks, assumptions, project timing, and technical scope.
Operate with limited oversight while ensuring proposal content is technically sound, commercially responsible, and aligned with customer expectations.
Lead complex opportunities involving significant technical ambiguity, elevated commercial risk, or strategic customer importance while escalating major concerns to department leadership as appropriate.
Generate automation concepts and manufacturing process strategies for custom equipment involving assembly, welding, adhesive, machining, material handling, inspection, robotic, or other automated manufacturing processes.
Interact with cross-functional team members to gather input, solicit external quotes, validate technical approaches, and support accurate proposal development.
Identify labor & material requirements, technical risks, cost drivers, assumptions, and timing considerations for assigned opportunities.
Participate in proposal reviews to support proposal quality, risk identification, and alignment with established department standards.
Support less experienced Applications Engineers through technical guidance, knowledge sharing, example-based support, and review participation without carrying formal personnel accountability.
Support & lead customer meetings and proposal discussions involving technical concepts, scope alignment, project assumptions, risks, and commercial content as appropriate.
Build and maintain professional customer relationships through responsive communication, clear technical explanations, and reliable proposal support.
Support project kickoff, engineering, build, and project management teams by communicating concept intent, customer requirements, proposal assumptions, and project-specific considerations.
Contribute to continuous improvement efforts related to proposal quality, estimating accuracy, customer satisfaction, cost feedback, and department efficiency.
Maintain and expand usable feedback information, lessons learned, vendor information, and estimating references to improve future proposal accuracy.
Communicate project developments, quote concerns, customer needs, risk items, and support requirements to department leadership in a timely and professional manner.
Travel occasionally to meet customers, review project requirements, support proposal activities.
Champion our Operating Principles: You will be expected to actively embody and uphold our ten Operating Principles, which guide our every action and decision at Axis Automation. These principles are key to our culture and success.