Application Engineer – Adhesive Dispensing and Processing

3M Company; Maplewood (MN); On-site; USD 99,000 - 121,000; Full time

Job summary

3M Company in Maplewood, MN is seeking an Adhesive Dispensing and Processing Application Engineer to advance adhesive dispensing technologies in our Industrial Adhesives and Tapes Division. You will lead development and optimization of dispensing processes for new product introductions, and translate requirements into scalable solutions.

The role requires hands-on experience with dispensing equipment, rheology concepts, and collaboration across product development, manufacturing and quality

Qualifications

• Requires a bachelor’s degree in science or engineering (completed and verified).
• Minimum 1 year in process development, application engineering, precision dispensing, automation, or related fields.

Responsibilities

• Developing and optimizing adhesive dispensing processes for new product introductions from concept to production launch.
• Designing and executing application trials, feasibility studies, and proof-of-concept evaluations.
• Establishing and documenting engineering process parameters for adhesive dispense applications.

Skills

Process development

Application engineering

Dispensing

Robotics/automation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in science or engineering

Tools

Dispensing equipment systems

Valves/pumps/nozzles

Robotic dispense platforms

Job description

Job Description:

Adhesive Dispensing and Processing Application Engineer

Collaborate with Innovative 3Mers Around the World

Choosing where to start and grow your career has a major impact on your professional and personal life, so it’s equally important you know that the company that you choose to work at, and its leaders, will support and guide you. With a diversity of people, global locations, technologies and products, 3M is a place where you can collaborate with other curious, creative 3Mers.

This position provides an opportunity to transition from other private, public, government or military experience to a 3M career.

The Impact You’ll Make in this Role

As an Advanced Application Engineer for 3M’s Industrial Adhesives and Tapes Division global Adhesives and Electronics Bonding businesses, you will have the opportunity to tap into your curiosity and collaborate with some of the most innovative and diverse people around the world. Here, you will make an impact by:

• Developing and optimizing adhesive dispensing processes for New Product Introduction programs from concept development through production launch.
• Designing and executing application trials, feasibility studies, and proof-of-concept evaluations to assess adhesive materials, dispensing methods, equipment configurations, and process performance.
• Establishing and documenting engineering process parameters for adhesive dispense applications, including flow rate, bead geometry, shot size, placement accuracy, cure conditions, environmental controls, and manufacturing process windows.
• Applying engineering knowledge of rheology, viscosity, thixotropy, cure behavior, and material flow characteristics to improve dispense performance, process robustness, product quality, and manufacturability.
• Collaborating with product development, manufacturing, quality, automation, and customer-facing teams to translate application requirements into scalable adhesive dispensing solutions and technical recommendations.

Your Skills and Expertise

To set you up for success in this role from day one, 3M requires (at a minimum) the following qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in science or engineering (completed and verified prior to start) from an accredited institution.
• One (1) year experience in process development, application engineering, precision dispensing, fluid handling systems, automation, robotics, electronics manufacturing, or manufacturing process optimization in a private, public, government or military environment.

Additional qualifications that could help you succeed even further in this role include:

• Experience working with adhesives, sealants, coatings, encapsulants, or similar fluid materials in application development, manufacturing, or product development environments.
• Technical understanding of how rheology, viscosity, thixotropy, cure behavior, and material flow characteristics influence dispensing performance and final application quality.
• Experience developing, validating, or optimizing process parameters, process windows, equipment settings, or manufacturing recommendations.
• Experience with dispensing equipment and systems, including valves, pumps, nozzles, controllers, robotic dispense platforms, automated dispensing systems, or related manufacturing equipment.
• Familiarity with cure mechanisms including UV cure, thermal cure, moisture cure, two-part mixing, or room-temperature cure adhesive systems.

Work location:

• This role follows an on-site working model, requiring the employee to work at least four days a week in Maplewood, MN

Travel: May include up to 20% domestic/international

Relocation Assistance: May be authorized

Must be legally authorized to work in country of employment without sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H1B status).

Supporting Your Well-being

3M offers many programs to help you live your best life — both physically and financially. To ensure competitive pay and benefits, 3M regularly benchmarks with other companies that are comparable in size and scope.

Applicable to US Applicants Only: The expected compensation range for this position is $98,964 – $120,957, which includes base pay plus variable incentive pay, if eligible. This range represents a good faith estimate for this position. The specific compensation offered to a candidate may vary based on factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s relevant knowledge, training, skills, work location, and/or experience. In addition, this position may be eligible for a range of benefits (e.g., Medical, Dental & Vision, Health Savings Accounts, Health Care & Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts, Disability Benefits, Life Insurance, Voluntary Benefits, Paid Absences and Retirement Benefits, etc.). Additional information is available at: https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/careers-us/working-at-3m/benefits/

Responsibilities of this position include that corporate policies, procedures and security standards are complied with while performing assigned duties.

Safety is a core value at 3M. All employees are expected to contribute to a strong Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) culture by following safety policies, identifying hazards, and engaging in continuous improvement.

3M does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.