Applications Engineering Manager Jobs in Lake Forest, IL

Position: Application Engineering Manager

Employment Type: Full-Time

Clearance Requirement: None

Salary Range: $140,000 - $160,000 / year (dependent on experience)

Seeking a proactive and technically driven Application Engineering Manager to serve as the operational leader of the Chicago Technical Center Applications Engineering organization in Schaumburg, IL.

Reporting directly to the Director of Applications Engineering, you will direct daily engineering operations, oversee customer turnkey projects, ensure machine tool demonstration readiness, and mentor a high-performing engineering team. As the Chicago Technical Center undergoes a multi-million-dollar transformation, this role plays a pivotal part in driving advanced manufacturing, digital automation, turnkey engineering solutions, and showroom excellence.

• Department Operations: Lead daily operations of the Applications Engineering Department, coordinating engineering schedules, technical resources, and project priorities.
• Project & Turnkey Execution: Oversee and deliver customer technical demonstrations, turnkey engineering solutions, machine tool validations, and client training programs.
• Showroom & Facility Readiness: Maintain operational readiness of the Chicago Technical Center and ensure showroom CNC machinery and automation cells remain customer-ready.
• Events & Industry Showcases: Direct engineering execution for major industry trade shows (such as IMTS), corporate open houses, customer technical days, and strategic demonstrations.
• Team Leadership & Mentorship: Coach, mentor, and develop Applications Engineers, fostering a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, technical rigor, and collaboration.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner closely with Sales, Service, Marketing, Facilities, Operations, and Executive Leadership to ensure seamless project delivery and customer satisfaction.
• Partner & Global Collaboration: Cultivate relationships with strategic tooling and automation technology partners, and coordinate with international engineering counterparts on global initiatives.
• Engineering Standards & Optimization: Establish standardized technical documentation, standard operating procedures, process improvements, and best practices for the department.
• Talent Development: Support recruiting, interviewing, technical onboarding, and career development pathways for application engineering personnel.

• Leadership & Operations: Proven experience leading technical teams, managing engineering workloads, and driving operational execution in a manufacturing or machine tool environment.
• Technical Applications Expertise: Deep hands-on background in CNC machine tools, cutting tool selection, machining processes, fixture design, and turnkey engineering workflows.
• Customer-Facing Engineering: Demonstrated ability to lead technical customer visits, deliver complex machine demonstrations, and communicate technical concepts effectively to diverse stakeholders.
• Process & Project Management: Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage competing project priorities, showroom maintenance, and cross-functional team initiatives.

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Technology, or a related technical discipline.
• Direct experience managing machine tool showroom operations or technical center facilities.
• Background in advanced manufacturing technologies, robotics, pallet automation, multi-axis machining, or digital manufacturing integrations.

DN Solutions America provides a comprehensive compensation and benefits package designed to reward technical leadership and support employee well-being:

• Competitive base salary ($140K - $160K based on experience)
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance coverage
• 401(k) retirement savings plan
• Paid time off (PTO) and company-paid holidays
• Professional growth, career advancement, and skill development opportunities

An Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to age, race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, marital status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, nationality, sex, religion, or veteran status.