Manufacturing Application Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Title: Field Application Engineer

Location: Chicago, IL | Travel to Customer Sites & Manufacturing Facilities Nationwide

Compensation: Competitive Base Salary + Quarterly Bonus + Profit Sharing + Comprehensive Benefits

Company:

Our Client is a privately held, legacy power distribution manufacturer with 400+ patents, 7 global manufacturing locations, and products deployed across 100+ countries. With utilities investing heavily in grid modernization, automation, resiliency, and new capacity, the business is continuing to expand the team responsible for bringing its technology directly to customers.

This is not a desk-bound Applications Engineering position. You’ll operate at the intersection of engineering, sales, and the customer — helping utilities, EPCs, and industrial customers solve complex power distribution challenges while becoming a technical authority on a highly respected portfolio of MV equipment.

Role:

• Serve as the technical point person for the Regional Sales Team, supporting customers throughout the sales and bidding process.
• Work directly with utilities, EPCs, engineers, independent reps, and internal sales teams to define technical and commercial requirements.
• Support complex quotations and major bids, including specification review, product selection, pricing strategy, and Technical Bid Reviews.
• Develop custom solutions around MV distribution switchgear, reclosers, automation systems, cable accessories, sensors, and protection equipment.
• Lead customer product demonstrations, technical presentations, and training sessions both on-site and at company facilities.
• Translate customer specifications, one-lines, and application requirements into viable product solutions.
• Partner closely with Application Engineering and Product Management to communicate voice-of-customer feedback, new applications, and product-development opportunities.
• Represent the business at customer meetings, sales meetings, trade shows, and strategic account engagements.

What We’re Looking For

• 5 years of Application Engineering, Field Applications, Sales Engineering, or comparable technical experience.
• Bachelor’s degree required; Electrical Engineering strongly preferred.
• Experience working with electrical power distribution equipment and the ability to discuss technical solutions directly with customers.
• Strong ability to interpret customer specifications and balance technical requirements, commercial considerations, and profitability.
• Confident presenting technical concepts to engineers, sales teams, and customers.
• Strong communication, negotiation, technical writing, and organizational skills.
• Comfortable operating in a role that combines engineering expertise with significant customer interaction.

Ideally You Will Also Have:

• Hands-on knowledge of MV power distribution equipment, including overhead/underground switches, reclosers, automation systems, cable accessories, and protection devices.
• Experience supporting utilities, EPC firms, industrial customers, or electrical infrastructure projects.
• Previous exposure to complex bids, engineered-to-order equipment, product demonstrations, or technical sales.

The Perks

• Technical + Commercial Exposure: Build expertise beyond pure engineering by working directly with customers, sales leadership, Product Management, and engineering teams.
• Global Reach: Support technology deployed across 100+ countries while collaborating with engineering and commercial teams around the world.
• Career Mobility: Develop the combination of technical, customer-facing, and commercial experience that can lead toward Product Management, Sales Engineering, Regional Sales, or technical leadership.
• Established Innovation: Join a privately held manufacturer with 120+ years in the power industry and 400+ patents behind its technology.
• Industry Tailwinds: Work directly in the middle of the massive investment occurring across grid modernization, electrification, utility infrastructure, renewables, and data center power demand.