Sr. Applications Engineer

Steven Douglas Corp • Concord Township, OH

4d • $100,000 - $120,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Steven Douglas Corp. (SDC) is seeking a Sr. Applications Engineer to conceptualize and develop custom automation systems for complex manufacturing challenges. This role is highly collaborative, bridging sales, engineering, estimating, and customer interactions. The engineer will define project scope, technical feasibility, and resource requirements, translating customer needs into practical, buildable automation solutions. SDC offers a fast-paced, decision-oriented environment with direct access to leadership, challenging and varied projects, and a culture of ownership and teamwork. The position offers the opportunity to have a direct impact on project success from concept to delivery.

Requirements

• Significant experience designing or developing custom industrial machinery, automation systems, or complex manufacturing equipment.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and understanding of machine design principles, automation components, manufacturing processes, and system integration.
• Ability to take an incomplete or loosely defined manufacturing challenge and develop a practical technical solution.
• Strong estimating and technical judgment, including the ability to recognize project risks early.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to explain technical concepts clearly to customers and internal teams.
• Ability to manage multiple opportunities and priorities in a fast-moving environment.
• Comfortable making decisions with the information available, identifying what still needs to be learned, and moving the process forward.
• Strong attention to detail without allowing perfection to unnecessarily slow progress.
• Willingness and ability to travel up to 10%.

Responsibilities

• Develop creative, technically sound automation concepts based on customer requirements, specifications, cycle times, processes, and production goals.
• Translate customer manufacturing challenges into practical machine concepts that SDC can confidently design, build, and support.
• Prepare technical proposals, scopes of work, cost estimates, and customer presentations for custom automation projects.
• Work closely with sales to understand customer needs and develop the right technical approach.
• Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, controls, project management, manufacturing, and build teams to validate concepts and estimates.
• Participate in customer meetings, design discussions, and project-scoping activities.
• Travel up to 10% to customer facilities for discovery meetings, application reviews, project scoping, and technical discussions.
• Maintain accurate project documentation and follow SDC’s estimating and project-release processes.
• Support engineering after project award to ensure a strong transition from concept and proposal into detailed design.
• Apply lessons learned from previous projects to continuously improve future machine concepts, estimates, and proposals.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation based on experience and contribution.
• 100% employer-paid medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, with supplemental insurance options available.
• 15 days of paid vacation to start, accrued sick leave, and 10 company-paid holidays.
• 401(k) with a 4% employer match each pay period, with employees 100% vested after 90 days.
• Paid parental leave.
• The opportunity to work on challenging, high-impact automation projects across a variety of industries.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed