Application Engineer

Sterling Engineering; Vernon Hills (IL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k)

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Job summary

Sterling Engineering in Vernon Hills, IL is seeking an Applications Engineer to learn customer applications, develop technical solutions, and gain hands-on exposure to demonstrations, testing, process improvement, and customer projects.

You will work with experienced sales and engineering teams to understand customer needs, support RFIs/RFPs, and help prepare technical proposals while focusing on automation equipment and manufacturing processes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Engineering Technology, or a related field preferred.

Responsibilities

• Understand customer needs and recommend technical solutions
• Participate in customer meetings and site visits
• Learn how manufacturing equipment is evaluated for customer applications
• Assist with equipment testing and proof-of-concept projects
• Perform cycle time analysis and basic capacity planning
• Gain hands-on experience with automated manufacturing equipment
• Support technical proposals, project documentation, and statements of work
• Communicate with customers and internal teams throughout projects
• Assist with RFIs and RFPs
• Participate in trade shows and customer workshops
• Continue expanding knowledge of automation and assembly technologies

Skills

Customer communication

Problem solving

Time management

Mechanical aptitude

Electrical aptitude

MS Excel

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Engineering Technology or related field

Job description

No C2C or 3rd Party Candidates will be Considered.

Sterling Engineering is partnering with a growing manufacturing organization to hire an Applications Engineer in Vernon Hills, IL. This is a great opportunity for an early-career engineer who wants to build both technical and customer-facing experience while working with advanced manufacturing and automation equipment.

You’ll work alongside experienced sales and engineering teams to learn customer applications, help develop technical solutions, and gain hands-on exposure to equipment demonstrations, testing, process improvement, and customer projects.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, 401(k), paid time off, paid holidays, and additional company-sponsored benefits.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Work with experienced sales and engineering team members to understand customer needs and recommend technical solutions
• Participate in customer meetings, site visits, equipment demonstrations, and application reviews
• Learn how manufacturing equipment and processes are evaluated for different customer applications
• Assist with equipment testing, proof-of-concept projects, and customer acceptance testing
• Perform cycle time analysis and basic capacity planning
• Gain hands-on experience with electronic assembly and automated manufacturing equipment
• Help prepare technical proposals, project documentation, and statements of work
• Communicate with customers and internal sales, engineering, and service teams throughout projects
• Help answer customer technical questions and support RFIs and RFPs
• Participate in trade shows, customer workshops, training sessions, and company events
• Continue developing your knowledge of automation, manufacturing equipment, and electronic assembly technologies

What We’re Looking For

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Engineering Technology, or a related field preferred
• Recent graduates and early-career engineers are encouraged to apply
• Internship, co-op, project, manufacturing, technical sales, or customer-facing engineering experience is a plus
• Strong mechanical or electrical aptitude and an interest in manufacturing and automation
• Comfortable communicating with customers and explaining technical information
• Curious, willing to learn, and comfortable asking questions
• Strong problem-solving and organizational skills
• Ability to manage multiple assignments and priorities
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office, including Excel