Applications Specialist

Innovative Automation Inc.

Barrie

On-site

CAD 65,000 - 95,000

Full time

14 days+

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Benefits offered by this job

Employer Matched RRSP

Flex-time Policy

Extended Healthcare

Health Spending Account

Employee Events

Educational Assistance Programs

Professional Dues Reimbursement

Costco Membership Reimbursement

Safety Boots and Safety Glasses Allow

Job summary

Innovative Automation Inc. in Barrie, Ontario, is seeking an Applications Specialist to develop automated manufacturing concepts and process layouts for RFQs. You will create concepts using SolidWorks, AutoCAD, and Excel, and quote with suppliers while partnering with Sales Account Managers.

The role requires 3–5 years in manufacturing or automation, a Mechanical Engineering degree, and strong communication skills. Some travel may be required.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent.
3–5 years of work experience in manufacturing or automation.
Strong written and verbal communication with a customer-first mindset.
Proficiency with SolidWorks, AutoCAD, and MS Office (Excel/PowerPoint).
Willingness to travel domestically and internationally as needed.

Responsibilities

Review RFQs, define scope, and identify technical risks.
Develop competitive automation concepts and layouts.
Validate concepts with cross-functional teams and suppliers.
Prepare costing, pricing, and customer proposals.
Present concepts to customers and support project handoff.
Communicate status, risks, and corrective actions throughout projects.
Support life science and GAMP-aligned proposals where applicable.
Ensure compliance with safety and quality standards.

Skills

Communication

Teamwork

Problem solving

Time management

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

AutoCAD

MS Office

Job description

About Innovative Automation Inc.:

Located in Barrie, Ontario, Innovative Automation designs and builds custom automation solutions for leading manufacturers around the world. Our primary focus being the automotive and life science’s industries. We’re a team that takes pride in doing great work, solving interesting problems, and helping customers improve the way they manufacture.

Our culture is built on teamwork, respect, safety, and community. We invest in our people through training, growth opportunities, and a workplace where employees can feel supported and appreciated. We also like to have fun, with team events, fundraisers, golf tournaments, holiday celebrations, and other ways to connect outside of the day-to-day work.

What we offer:

Employer Matched RRSP (Registered Retirement Savings Program)

Flex-time Policy (flexible start and end times)

Extended Healthcare, Dental, Vision, Paramedical, EFAP Benefits

Healthcare Spending Account

Employee Events

Educational Assistance Programs

Professional Dues Reimbursement

Costco Membership Reimbursement

Safety Boots and Safety Glasses Allowance

General Purpose of the Job:

Applications Specialist develops automated manufacturing equipment concepts and process layouts in response to customer RFQs. This includes preparing automation concepts, sequence timing charts, and supporting documentation using tools such as SolidWorks, AutoCAD, and Microsoft Excel.

Applications Specialists develop and quote their own concepts by referencing internal systems, applying lessons from previous projects, and working with suppliers to estimate costs for major capital equipment. They work closely with Sales Account Manager as the primary internal contact while also supporting customers directly as a technical resource.

The role includes preparing customer-facing documents and presentations for internal and external use, including concept presentations delivered in Microsoft PowerPoint. Clear communication, professional customer interaction, and relationship-building skills are important to success in this position.

This position requires managing multiple projects at once, typically 9 to 15 active quotations, with turnaround times that can be as short as two weeks. It is well suited to someone who is organized, technically capable, and comfortable working in a fast-paced environment.

This intermediate-level role is intended for an applicant who can manage moderately complex quoting work with direction when required, while taking ownership of assigned concepts, communication, and deliverables. This is for an existing vacancy.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

RFQ Review and Scope Definition: Analyze customer RFQs, specifications, quotations, and supporting documentation to define scope, requirements, and technical risks.

Concept Development: Develop competitive automation concepts with minimal supervision, including cell layouts, process layouts, mechanical concepts, and sequence timing charts using tools such as SolidWorks, AutoCAD, and Visual Components.

Technical Validation: Validate process concepts with cross-functional teams, including Design, Controls, and Manufacturing.

Costing and Proposal Support: Prepare cycle time charts, pricing spreadsheets, supplier quotation requests, and customer proposals using costing tools and historical job data.

Customer Review and Technical Support: Review technical proposals with customers to confirm scope, timing, and pricing.

Risk Management: Support technical confirmation of design concepts and risk mitigation strategies with customers and internal stakeholders.

Project Handoff and Execution Support: Lead knowledge transfer from sales/applications to design teams at project kickoff, participate in design reviews, and support Project Managers throughout the design lifecycle, including ECN quoting activities.

Communication and Continuous Improvement: Communicate project status, risks, corrective actions, and solutions, while reviewing completed projects to capture lessons learned and support continuous improvement.

Life Science and GAMP Support: Support business development efforts in the life science sector and contribute to IAI’s ongoing efforts to align proposals, concepts, and project approaches with applicable GAMP compliance expectations.

Quality, Safety, and Professional Conduct: Ensure compliance with company quality standards, safety practices, and procedures, represent the company professionally, and complete other duties as assigned. Occasional domestic and international travel may be required.

Soft Skills:

Adaptability: Demonstrates the ability to adjust to changing priorities, customer requirements, and project conditions while maintaining ownership of assigned work.

Communication: Communicates technical concepts clearly to internal teams, suppliers, and customers, while adapting communication style to suit the audience and situation.

Teamwork: Collaborates effectively across sales, mechanical, electrical, controls, manufacturing, and project teams to develop practical automation solutions.