Applications Engineer - Sacramento, CA

Main tasks and responsibilities

• Support machine tool sales by providing technical input during customer meetings, application reviews, machine demonstrations, and project discussions.
• Review customer parts, prints, tolerances, materials, cycle-time expectations, and production requirements to help determine machine feasibility and application risk.
• Program, set up, and operate CNC machining centers, turning centers, and related equipment.
• Develop CNC programs, machining processes, tooling strategies, fixture concepts, work holding recommendations, and cycle-time estimates.
• Prepare and execute customer demonstrations, test cuts, proof-of-concept projects, machine evaluations, and showroom applications.
• Support machine runoffs, customer acceptance activities, turnkey projects, and customer training events.
• Provide customer training on machine operation, CNC programming, probing, tooling, work holding, setup practices, and general machining best practices.
• Aid customers with post-sale applications support, including process troubleshooting, tooling recommendations, programming assistance, part-quality concerns, surface-finish issues, tolerance challenges, and productivity improvements.
• Work with Sales to review customer requirements and help identify proper machine configurations, options, accessories, tooling needs, and application limitations.
• Cook with Service personnel during machine installations, startups, troubleshooting visits, and customer support activities as needed.
• Assist with the selection and validation of tooling, fixtures, probes, rotary tables, coolant systems, automation interfaces, and other machine accessories.
• Document proven processes, lessons learned, application notes, setup information, and recommended best practices for internal use.
• Maintain accurate records of customer visits, training activities, test cuts, project status, technical recommendations, and open action items.
• Communicate clearly with customers and internal teams regarding project scope, expectations, technical risks, required resources, timelines, and next steps.
• Represent Yamazen professionally during customer visits, trade shows, open houses, supplier events, technical demonstrations, and industry events.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and organized work area when working in Yamazen technical centers, customer facilities, or showroom environments.
• Follow all Yamazen procedures, customer-site safety requirements, and internal engineering standards.
• Support regional and national engineering initiatives as directed by management.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

  Qualifications

  • Strong CNC machining background with hands-on experience in setup, operation, programming, and process development.
  • Proficiency with CNC machining centers and/or turning centers.
  • CAM programming experience required; Mastercam experience preferred.
  • Experience with multi-axis machining, 5-axis positioning, or full 5-axis programming preferred.
  • Strong understanding of cutting tools, toolholders, work holding, fixtures, speeds and feeds, and machining strategy.
  • Ability to read and interpret part prints, GD&T callouts, setup sheets, inspection reports, and technical documentation.
  • Ability to troubleshoot machining issues related to tooling, programming, work holding, part movement, surface finish, chatter, tolerance, cycle time, and part quality.
  • Experience with probing systems, tool measurement, part inspection, and machine setup best practices preferred.
  • Strong mechanical aptitude and practical problem-solving ability.
  • Ability to communicate technical information clearly and professionally to customers, Sales, Service, Engineering, and management.
  • Strong organization, prioritization, and time-management skills.
  • Ability to manage multiple projects, customer requests, and deadlines under schedule pressure.
  • Ability to work independently while supporting a regional and national engineering team.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills.
  • Professional customer-facing presence and ability to represent Yamazen in a technical sales and support environment.
  • Tech degree, apprenticeship, journeyman background, or equivalent industry experience preferred.
  • Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation required.
  • Availability to travel as required to support customer visits, machine demonstrations, installations, training, trade shows, and regional engineering needs.