Senior Applications Engineer – Electron Beam / Advanced Manufacturing Systems

German American Chambers of Commerce•Lombard, IL

2d•Onsite

About The Position

pro-beam is a global leader in electron beam technology, delivering advanced welding and additive manufacturing solutions for the most demanding industrial and research applications for over 50 years. Its systems are trusted in industries where precision and reliability matter most, including aerospace, defense, automotive, and energy. The U.S. subsidiary in Lombard, IL serves as the operational hub for commissioning, service, training, and customer support across North America. The U.S. team operates within a global matrix organization, working closely with engineering, project management, and development teams headquartered in Germany. pro-beam USA is seeking a Senior Applications Engineer with direct experience in electron beam (EB) systems or comparable complex capital equipment to support complex technical challenges, system-level troubleshooting, and commissioning activities across North America. This is not a traditional installation-focused field service role, but a system-level engineering position focused on advanced troubleshooting and technical ownership. This role goes beyond standard installation-focused field service responsibilities and is primarily centered around supporting complex technical challenges at the system level, contributing to commissioning activities, particularly in non-routine scenarios, and serving as a key technical escalation point for EB-related topics in the U.S. In addition, this position plays an important role in transferring technical knowledge, mentoring team members, and contributing to the continued development of the U.S. organization. Candidates with strong experience in adjacent technologies (e.g., vacuum systems, high-voltage equipment, or advanced industrial machinery) are encouraged to apply if interested in transitioning into electron beam systems.

Requirements

5–10+ years of hands-on experience with electron beam systems or comparable complex capital equipment (e.g., vacuum systems, high-voltage equipment, or advanced industrial machinery)
Strong understanding of system architecture, including high-voltage power supplies, vacuum systems, and motion/control integration
Proven ability to troubleshoot complex system-level issues
Experience in commissioning, service, or applications engineering roles
PLC experience (diagnostics and adjustments; programming not required)
Strong communication skills and ability to train others
Willingness to travel approximately 25–30%

Nice To Haves

Direct experience with electron beam systems
Experience with additive manufacturing systems
Experience mentoring or leading technical teams
Familiarity with Siemens (TIA Portal, drives, etc.)
Experience working in a multinational or German engineering environment

Responsibilities

Provide technical guidance and support for machine commissioning and start-up activities, both at the Lombard facility and at customer sites across North America, with a focus on complex or non-standard scenarios
Take ownership of technical outcomes in complex or first-of-kind EB system scenarios, particularly where deeper system-level analysis and problem solving are required
Perform advanced system-level troubleshooting across EB welding and additive manufacturing equipment, resolving issues that go beyond standard troubleshooting scenarios
Serve as the primary internal escalation point for complex technical challenges, supporting the broader team in resolving non-routine system issues
Design and deliver training programs for pro-beam customers, ranging from machine operators to advanced engineering users
Mentor and develop Field Service Engineers and Field Service Technicians who are new to EB technology, building their technical competency over time
Create and maintain technical training materials, troubleshooting guides, and standard operating procedures to build institutional knowledge within the U.S. team
Contribute to commissioning runbooks and service documentation to ensure knowledge is captured and transferable
Perform and lead targeted PLC diagnostics and adjustments (Siemens / TIA Portal preferred; other platforms considered)
Support HMI configuration and visualization adjustments as required during commissioning and system support
Diagnose and resolve issues across electrical, high-voltage, vacuum, and motion control subsystems
Act as the senior technical point of contact for key customer accounts during commissioning and ongoing system support
Coordinate closely with pro-beam's engineering and project management teams in Germany on technical issues, design feedback, and system improvements
Support proposal and quoting phases with technical input on service scope, complexity, and resource requirements
Champion a strong safety culture in all field activities, with particular attention to high-voltage, radiation (X-ray), and vacuum safety protocols