Applications Engineer

GPAC - Madison, WI

Full-time - Mid Level

Madison, WI

Administrative and Support Services

About the position

The Applications Engineer position is a critical role within a leading manufacturer of precision CNC manufacturing cutting tools, known for its high-quality products and global operations. This role requires an experienced professional who is willing to travel 40-60% of the time to engage with customers, install equipment, and maintain strong relationships. The company has been a prominent player in the industry for over 40 years, producing top-of-the-line CNC machines and 5-axis tools, and is recognized for its resilience in the face of economic challenges. The culture within the company promotes career growth and offers a supportive environment for its employees. As an Applications Engineer, you will be responsible for delivering tailored consultations to customers, providing technical support both in-person and over the phone, and participating in trade shows. You will also design and fabricate fixtures for demonstrations and test cuts, troubleshoot complex manufacturing processes, and conduct time studies to ensure optimal processing of customer parts. The role involves generating CNC programs, setting up CNC machines, and inspecting finished parts for quality and accuracy. You will work closely with internal technical staff and external customers to ensure that all requirements are met and that the highest standards of service are maintained. This position not only requires technical expertise but also strong communication skills to foster long-term relationships with clients. You will be expected to participate in training activities and collaborate with senior colleagues to enhance your skills and knowledge in the field.

Responsibilities

• Travel weekly to install and maintain relationships with customers.
• Deliver tailored customer consultations and guidance to build long-term relationships.
• Provide technical support in person or over the phone for customers, sales, and trade shows for CNC Machines.
• Design and fabricate fixtures/work holding for demos, test cuts, and turnkeys.
• Define and troubleshoot complex manufacturing/machining processes.
• Conduct time estimates for customer parts with a 10% tolerance.
• Complete time studies and machine demonstrations per customer requirements.
• Participate in training activities with senior colleagues, internal academy, and external resources.
• Calculate optimal speeds and feeds for part processing.
• Generate CNC programs for parts processing using industry-standard CAM systems and direct G-Code/Macro programming.
• Set up CNC machines with program, tooling, workpiece, and fixtures, including 5-axis and mill-turn.
• Set up and program a CMM.
• Inspect finished parts for quality and accuracy, generating engineering reports and technical documentation.
• Maintain frequent communication with internal technical staff, external customers, and external suppliers.

Requirements

• BS Degree in Mechanical/Manufacturing Engineering or related field preferred, and/or machining knowledge.
• Minimum 2 to 10+ years of experience in a relevant field.
• Knowledge in part processing, metal cutting, CNC programming, reading drawings, and machine setup.
• Basic understanding of Metallurgy.
• Proven experience in communicating professionally with internal and external customers.

Benefits

• Salary + bonus
• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• 401K