Applications Engineer III - Handling System

Company Overview Schmalz is a global leader in vacuum technology, serving industries including automation, material handling, and CNC clamping. Founded in 1910 and headquartered in Glatten, Germany, Schmalz operates worldwide with subsidiaries and partners in over 50 countries, including our Raleigh NC HQ for North America, with a Position Overview The Applications Engineer plays a critical role in delivering high-quality, customer-focused solutions that drive satisfaction, long-term relationships, and retention. This role combines conceptual engineering, project management, and customer engagement, serving as a key link between sales, customers, and internal teams. The position requires a strong balance of technical expertise, customer service mindset, and project ownership, with a high degree of autonomy and accountability in delivering both custom-engineered and standard solutions. Key Responsibilities Customer & Solution Development Develop conceptual solutions that deliver value, performance, and reliability for both internal and external customers.Serve as a primary technical interface for customers, building strong relationships and providing responsive, professional support throughout the project lifecycle.Translate customer requirements into clear, actionable concepts for design and production teams.Maintain an advanced understanding of the product portfolio to effectively support diverse customer applications.Provide accurate and timely quotations and application support. Project Management & Execution Lead projects from concept through execution, ensuring alignment across internal stakeholders.Manage multiple projects autonomously while meeting deadlines and priorities.Adapt to changing customer needs and project requirements while maintaining quality and responsiveness.Execute smooth handoffs to the design group with complete documentation and stakeholder alignment. Sales & Internal Support Support Regional Sales Managers as primary internal customers in delivering both custom and standard solutions.Act as second-tier technical support for complex inquiries from internal and external customers.Collaborate with Internal Sales, Design, and Production teams to ensure successful project delivery.Act as a guide and technical resource for customer-facing colleagues, supporting their development and effectiveness. Testing, Training & Customer Engagement Lead product testing and validation to ensure solutions meet performance and safety requirements.Provide hands-on training and technical guidance to customers.Host and support customer visits, delivering a professional and engaging experience. Continuous Improvement & Feedback Provide market and product feedback to Product Management.Support process improvements and contribute to operational efficiency initiatives.Assist with additional responsibilities as needed, including cross-functional support.Serve as a mentor to Engineer I’s and II’s technically and professionally. Qualifications Required Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, industrial, or similar engineering.Minimum of 7 years of experience in Applications Engineering or similar.Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.Ability to manage multiple projects and prioritize effectively multiple tasks at the same time.Self-motivated, hands-on approach with strong attention to detail.Proficiency in MS Office and ability to learn new systems (CRM/ERP).High level of professionalism and responsiveness to internal and external customers. Preferred Project management experience or training.Experience in material handling or vacuum systems.Experience as a team lead or supervisor, or served in a mentor capacity.CAD experience (SolidWorks / AutoCAD). Work Environment Onsite during initial training (Monday–Friday).Opportunity to transition to a hybrid schedule. Role Impact This role is essential to maintaining Schmalz’s reputation for delivering innovative, high-quality solutions. Success in this position directly contributes to customer satisfaction, project success, and long-term business growth.