Applications Engineer

Reed; Desborough; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 61,000; Full time

Job summary

Reed in Desborough, Northamptonshire, is seeking an Applications Engineer to develop bespoke 3D plant layouts using SolidWorks. You will translate customer requirements into practical, commercially viable engineering solutions from enquiry through concept development, coordinating with Sales, Projects and R&D.

The role demands strong CAD skills, experience in process flow and material handling, and the ability to collaborate across departments to deliver cost-effective proposals.

Qualifications

• Experience creating 3D layouts or system designs.
• Strong SolidWorks or equivalent CAD skills.
• Ability to interpret customer requirements and deliver bespoke solutions.
• Knowledge of process flow, material handling and automation in plant environments.
• Excellent verbal and written communication across departments.

Responsibilities

• Producing 3D plant and equipment layouts for customer proposals using SolidWorks.
• Integrating third-party equipment into overall system designs.
• Creating layouts that maximise space utilisation while maintaining accessibility for operation, maintenance, and cleaning.
• Working closely with the Sales team to develop innovative and cost-effective solutions.
• Producing flow diagrams and material flow visualisations to support customer proposals.
• Managing design changes throughout project development and identifying practical solutions to engineering challenges.
• Supporting the development of standardised 3D model libraries and engineering drawing resources.
• Assisting with technical content for sales and marketing activities.
• Attending customer sites when required to support project activities.

Skills

3D design

SolidWorks

Requirements understanding

Cross-functional collaboration

Budget awareness

Tools

SolidWorks

Visio

Job description

Applications Engineer

Location: Desborough, Northamptonshire (Full-Time, Onsite)
Salary: Up to £55,000 DOE
Full time Permanent

Are you a creative and commercially minded engineer with strong 3D design skills? Do you enjoy turning customer requirements into practical, visually impressive engineering solutions?

A growing and innovative engineering business is looking for an Applications Engineer to join its technical team. This is a highly varied role where you'll work closely with Sales, Engineering, Projects, and R&D to develop bespoke plant layouts and engineering solutions for customer projects. Information sourced from JD Applications Engineer.

The Role

As an Applications Engineer, you'll be responsible for creating engaging and technically sound 3D layouts using SolidWorks and related design tools. You'll work on bespoke projects from initial enquiry through to concept development, ensuring solutions are practical, commercially viable, and meet customer requirements.

Key responsibilities include:

• Producing 3D plant and equipment layouts for customer proposals using SolidWorks.
• Integrating third-party equipment into overall system designs.
• Creating layouts that maximise space utilisation while maintaining accessibility for operation, maintenance, and cleaning.
• Working closely with the Sales team to develop innovative and cost-effective solutions.
• Producing flow diagrams and material flow visualisations to support customer proposals.
• Managing design changes throughout project development and identifying practical solutions to engineering challenges.
• Supporting the development of standardised 3D model libraries and engineering drawing resources.
• Assisting with technical content for sales and marketing activities.
• Attending customer sites when required to support project activities.

What We're Looking For

• Experience creating 3D engineering layouts or system designs.
• Strong proficiency with SolidWorks or similar 3D CAD software.
• Ability to interpret customer requirements and develop bespoke engineering solutions.
• Understanding of process flow, material handling, manufacturing, automation, or industrial plant environments.
• Strong problem-solving skills and an ability to manage multiple design revisions.
• Commercial awareness and the ability to balance technical solutions with budget constraints.
• Excellent communication skills and the confidence to collaborate across multiple departments.

Desirable Experience

• Material handling systems.
• Process engineering or industrial equipment layouts.
• Automation, manufacturing, recycling, waste handling, or capital equipment industries.
• Flow diagram creation using Visio or similar software.
• Experience producing customer-facing technical proposals and presentations.