Applications Engineering Manager Jobs in Franklin, WI

GENERAL PURPOSE OF JOB

The Applications Engineering Project Manager serves as a primary technical liaison between customers, sales, and engineering, leading the development and execution of custom packaging machinery solutions. This role is responsible for translating customer requirements into innovative, reliable, and cost-effective automation systems while managing projects from concept through installation and acceptance.

The ideal candidate combines applications engineering expertise, project management skills, and creative problem-solving abilities to design elegant solutions for complex packaging challenges. This individual will work closely with customers, sales, engineering, manufacturing, and service teams to ensure successful project execution and exceptional customer satisfaction.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Customer Solutions & Applications Engineering

• Serve as a primary engineering contact for customer applications and technical discussions.
• Partner with sales representatives to understand customer needs, operational challenges, and project objectives.
• Translate customer requirements into innovative, practical, and manufacturable packaging machinery solutions.
• Lead application reviews, feasibility evaluations, and solution development activities.
• Develop machine concepts, system layouts, and integrated automation solutions that meet customer performance expectations.
• Present technical solutions to customers and support proposal development efforts.
• Provide technical guidance throughout the sales and project execution process.
• Perform mechanical design and engineering activities using CAD software (SolidWorks preferred), including machine layouts, assemblies, custom components, and integration concepts.
• Provide hands-on engineering support during solution development, balancing performance, manufacturability, standardization, cost, and project requirements.

Project Management & Execution

• Manage customer application projects from the engineering perspective from order receipt through system acceptance.
• Lead project kickoff meetings, application reviews, engineering reviews, and customer update meetings.
• Monitor project schedules, milestones, risks, and action items to ensure successful execution.
• Maintain project trackers and drive accountability for engineering deliverables.
• Coordinate activities across engineering, manufacturing, procurement, service, and sales teams.
• Communicate project status, risks, and key decisions to stakeholders.
• Ensure projects are delivered on time, within scope, and aligned with customer expectations.

Technical Leadership & Solution Development

• Lead and perform line reviews and cross-functional project design reviews.
• Act as the technical lead for assigned strategic, complex, or high-visibility projects.
• Support system integration planning and equipment configuration decisions.

• Review engineering designs to ensure alignment with customer requirements and project objectives.
• Identify opportunities to standardize designs, improve machine performance, and reduce project risk.
• Support factory acceptance testing (FAT), site acceptance testing (SAT), and customer start-up activities as required.

Quoting, Configuration & Engineering Support

• Review and validate technical quotations, project scope, and proposed machine configurations.
• Support sales and engineering teams during proposal development and project handoff activities.
• Serve as a backup resource for solution design, machine integration planning, and technical review activities.
• Maintain and improve product configurators, application tools, and engineering databases.
• Assist with documentation standards, engineering processes, and continuous improvement initiatives.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechatronics, or related technical field.
• 5+ years of experience in packaging machinery, automation, custom equipment, or engineered-to-order manufacturing.
• Experience leading technical projects and coordinating cross-functional teams.
• Strong understanding of mechanical systems, automation, machine integration, and manufacturing processes.
• Demonstrated ability to develop custom solutions based on customer requirements.
• Strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to lead customer meetings and communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and project management tools such as Smartsheet or Microsoft Project.
• Ability to travel as required for customer meetings, site reviews, and project support/startup.
• PMP certification or formal project management training a plus.
• Experience with CAD platforms such as SolidWorks or Inventor.
• Experience supporting quotation development and technical sales activities.
• Familiarity with machine safety standards and industrial controls.
• Experience conducting FATs, SATs, and equipment commissioning activities.

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