Applications Engineer

Sterling Engineering is partnering with a growing manufacturing organization to hire an Applications Engineer for a customer-facing technical role in Vernon Hills, IL.

About the role

This position combines engineering with customer interaction and sales support.

Responsibilities

• Partner with sales representatives to understand customer requirements and develop technical solutions
• Conduct customer discovery meetings, site visits, and application reviews
• Recommend equipment and process solutions based on customer production needs
• Conduct product demonstrations, technical presentations, and proof-of-concept evaluations
• Perform cycle time analysis and capacity planning to support customer applications
• Develop and optimize assembly processes involving screen printers, placement equipment, and odd-form insertion machines
• Prepare technical proposals, statements of work, and supporting documentation
• Serve as the technical liaison between customers, sales, engineering, and service teams
• Coordinate customer equipment evaluations and acceptance testing
• Respond to technical questions, RFIs, and RFPs
• Support trade shows, customer workshops, training sessions, and company events
• Stay current on electronic assembly equipment, technologies, and industry trends

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Engineering Technology, or a related field preferred
• Experience in Applications Engineering, Technical Sales, Field Engineering, Sales Engineering, or another customer-facing technical role
• Strong technical problem-solving and customer communication skills
• Comfortable presenting technical information and demonstrating equipment
• Ability to understand customer requirements and translate them into practical technical solutions
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple customer projects and priorities
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Paid time off and paid holidays
• Additional company-sponsored benefits

Pay

$70,000–$80,000 per year

Schedule

1st Shift

Location: Vernon Hills, IL 60069