EDM Application Engineer

Makino•Auburn Hills, MI

About The Position

Makino is a world leader in metal-cutting and machining technology. As a leader in advanced manufacturing machine tool technology, Makino enables its customers to realize the highest level of quality with the fastest time to market. When companies make the parts that matter for automotive, aerospace, medical, die-mold and other industries worldwide, they make them with Makino. The EDM Applications Engineer serves as a technical expert supporting customers, sales teams, and internal stakeholders by developing, testing, and implementing EDM manufacturing solutions. This role combines hands-on machining expertise, process development, programming, and customer-facing technical support to help customers maximize productivity, quality, and performance from their EDM technology investments. The ideal candidate will have experience with Wire EDM, Sinker EDM, and/or Fast Hole EDM processes, along with a strong understanding of tooling, automation, programming, and manufacturing best practices.

Requirements

3+ years of EDM machining, applications engineering, manufacturing engineering, or related experience.
Experience with Wire EDM, Sinker EDM, or Fast Hole EDM processes.
Experience with CNC programming, CAD/CAM systems, and process development.
Strong understanding of EDM machining principles and process optimization.
Ability to interpret engineering drawings, GD&T, and complex part geometry.
Experience with tooling, fixturing, automation systems, and manufacturing processes.
Working knowledge of CAD/CAM software and CNC programming.
Familiarity with Microsoft Office applications.

Nice To Haves

Customer-facing technical support or applications engineering experience preferred.
Bachelor's degree in manufacturing engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Technology, or related field preferred.
Equivalent combination of education and hands-on EDM manufacturing experience will be considered.

Responsibilities

Provide technical applications support throughout the sales process, including customer visits, technical reviews, demonstrations, and solution development.
Evaluate customer parts, drawings, and manufacturing requirements to determine optimal EDM processing methods.
Develop machining strategies, cycle time estimates, tooling recommendations, and process proposals.
Conduct machine demonstrations, test cuts, and proof-of-concept trials to validate solutions and support machine sales.
Present technical findings and application recommendations to customers and internal teams.
Develop and optimize EDM machining processes for productivity, accuracy, surface finish, and reliability.
Create, modify, and troubleshoot NC programs, machine parameters, and process documentation.
Generate and edit CAD/CAM data to support customer applications and turnkey projects.
Research and integrate automation, tooling, fixturing, and third-party technologies into customer solutions.
Perform process validation and document results for future use and standardization.
Support turnkey and share-key projects from concept through customer acceptance.
Coordinate fixture design, process development, testing, and project timelines.
Conduct run-offs and final process validation prior to customer delivery.
Deliver complete process documentation and technical reports.
Provide customer training on machine operation, process optimization, maintenance, and programming.
Deliver post-sale support including troubleshooting, process improvement, and production optimization.
Work collaboratively with Service, Engineering, Product Management, and Sales teams to resolve technical challenges.
Support field installations and customer startup activities.
Investigate new technologies, EDM applications, automation solutions, and manufacturing methods.
Participate in product testing, software validation, and process improvement initiatives.
Provide technical feedback to engineering and product management teams to support future product development.