Applications Engineer III

About the role

JR Automation, a Hitachi Group Company, is seeking an Application Engineer in Auburn Hills, MI. The position focuses on developing competitive technical solutions for custom automated equipment, reviewing customer specifications, creating system concepts, cost and risk assessments, and preparing proposal documents.

Responsibilities

• Review customer technical specifications and requirements to develop system concepts, costs, risk assessments, and proposal documents defining the scope of work.
• Apply practical conformance to JR Automation corporate practices, procedures, and tools specific to the Applications Engineering Department.
• Coordinate and execute large multi‑business‑unit quotes and manage core customers.
• Develop internal win strategies, understand customer pain points, and facilitate quote package development toward winning proposals.
• Generate and render conceptual solutions in various CAD formats for problems lacking standard solutions.
• Facilitate concept brainstorming and lead docket review meetings with minimal support from senior Application Engineers.
• Coordinate and schedule preliminary and final reviews of audience quote packages, covering concept solutions, cycle‑time charts, flow charts, risk assessments, system costs, delivery schedules, and customer requirements needing management attention.
• Develop proposals that clearly define scope of work, production rates, machine buy‑off requirements, customer part requirements across project phases, and include appropriate assumptions and exceptions.
• Mentor less‑experienced Applications Engineers, co‑ops, and interns.
• Support Account Managers by leveraging pain points and competitive advantages into proposals.
• Travel independently or with an Account Manager and present to internal teams, senior management, and customers.
• Maintain assignment‑specific Application Engineer fields in the company CRM.
• Schedule and facilitate project kickoff meetings for PEP.
• Support functional team members by facilitating required tollgate meetings for awarded work and consulting with the project manager on scope variations.
• Attend early‑phase project design reviews to ensure conformance to the “as sold” scope of work.

Requirements

• 5+ years of industry experience leading successful projects.
• Bachelor’s degree in a related engineering field or equivalent industry experience; mechanical or mechatronics engineering strongly preferred.
• Proficiency in all Applications Engineering processes and tools.
• Background in Body‑in‑White applications and quoting is preferred.
• Experience in sales and/or customer interaction.

Candidates must successfully complete a 10‑panel drug screen, physical examination, and background check.

Schedule

This is a hybrid role requiring three to four days onsite at the Auburn Hills, MI office.

Company overview

JR Automation, a Hitachi Group Company, employs over 2,000 professionals across more than 20 facilities worldwide. The company delivers intelligent automated manufacturing and distribution technology solutions, helping leading manufacturers transform how they make and distribute products.