Application Engineer

Nidec Automation; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Nidec Automation is seeking an Application Engineer II to act as a technical partner for customers developing next-generation motion control and robotic systems. You will collaborate with sales and product teams to design, validate, and optimize drive systems for real-world industrial applications.

The role emphasizes hands-on problem solving, system integration, and deployment support across the project lifecycle, including commissioning and field troubleshooting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in a related engineering field.
• 2+ years combined hands-on engineering and customer-facing experience.
• Experience in application engineering, motion control, robotics, or related automation roles.
• Strong knowledge of motion control systems, motor drives, servo systems, and automation technologies.
• Hands-on experience with EtherCAT, CANopen, PROFINET, and EtherNet/IP.
• Experience with system integration, commissioning, troubleshooting, and performance optimization.
• Ability to clearly communicate technical concepts to customers, engineers, and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Provide advanced technical support for ultra-low voltage drives, brushless AC servomotors, and motion control systems.
• Design and validate motion control architectures tailored to customer requirements.
• Support system integration with PLC platforms, industrial networks, and ROS-based robotic systems.
• Conduct application validation and performance testing to meet specifications.
• Lead technical aspects of customer projects from requirements to deployment and commissioning.
• Participate in customer meetings, technical reviews, demonstrations, and solution evaluations.
• Support customers during installation, startup, optimization, and long-term operation of systems.

Skills

Motion control

Servo systems

Industrial automation

EtherCAT

CANopen

PROFINET

EtherNet/IP

ROS

PLC programming

Technical communication

Customer-facing

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Automation Engineering

Two-year technical degree + hands-on experience

Tools

SolidWorks

Job description

Drive Innovation in Motion Control, Robotics, and Industrial Automation

Are you passionate about solving complex engineering challenges and working directly with customers to bring cutting-edge automation solutions to life? We are seeking an Application Engineer II to serve as a key technical partner for customers developing next-generation motion control and robotic systems.

In this highly customer-focused role, you will support new business opportunities, accelerate customer time-to-market, and ensure successful deployment of advanced motion control solutions. You will collaborate with customers, sales teams, and product development groups to design, integrate, validate, commission, and optimize drive systems used in real-world industrial applications.

This is an exciting opportunity for an engineer who enjoys combining technical expertise, problem-solving, and customer engagement to create innovative automation solutions.

What You'll Do

Technical Leadership & Customer Support

• Provide advanced technical support for ultra-low voltage drives, brushless AC servomotors, and motion control systems.
• Troubleshoot complex application issues and recommend solutions that improve system performance, reliability, and efficiency.
• Serve as a primary technical point of contact for customers throughout the product lifecycle.

System Design & Integration

• Design and validate motion control architectures tailored to customer requirements.
• Support system integration with PLC platforms, industrial networks, and ROS-based robotic systems.
• Conduct application validation and performance testing to ensure solutions meet customer expectations and technical specifications.
• Lead technical aspects of customer projects from requirements gathering through deployment and commissioning.
• Participate in customer meetings, technical reviews, demonstrations, and solution evaluations.
• Support customers during installation, startup, optimization, and long-term operation of systems.

Sales & Business Development Support

• Partner with Sales teams to support New Business Opportunities (NBOs).
• Assist with technical evaluations, product selection, solution development, and customer presentations.
• Help accelerate customer development cycles by simplifying solution selection and streamlining integration efforts.

Product & Market Development

• Collaborate with Product Development to provide feedback on product performance, usability, and future enhancements.
• Monitor industry trends, emerging technologies, and competitive solutions within motion control, robotics, and industrial automation.
• Contribute to application lab development, prototyping activities, system demonstrations, and customer testing initiatives.

Documentation & Training

• Create technical documentation, application notes, training materials, and best-practice guides.
• Support internal and customer-facing technical training programs.
• Document testing results and provide clear technical recommendations to customers and internal stakeholders.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Automation Engineering, or a related technical field.
• A minimum 2-year technical degree combined with strong hands-on industry experience will also be considered.
• Experience in application engineering, motion control, robotics, industrial automation, or related customer-facing technical roles.
• Strong knowledge of motion control systems, motor drives, servo systems, and automation technologies.
• Hands-on experience with industrial communication protocols, including:
• EtherCAT
• CANopen
• PROFINET
• EtherNet/IP
• Experience with system integration, commissioning, troubleshooting, and performance optimization.
• Ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly to customers, engineers, and business stakeholders.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving abilities.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, customer-focused environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with PLC programming and industrial control systems.
• Knowledge of ROS (Robot Operating System) and robotic applications.
• Experience supporting technical evaluations and new business development initiatives.
• Familiarity with 3D CAD tools such as SolidWorks or similar design platforms.
• Experience creating technical documentation, application notes, and engineering training materials.
• Background in industrial automation, autonomous systems, AGVs/AMRs, robotics, or advanced manufacturing environments.

Travel Requirements

• Domestic and international travel up to 10%.

This position is not eligible for employment-based visa sponsorship now or in the future. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for current or future sponsorship.