Application Engineer - Adhesive Dispensing and Processing

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

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Travel up to 20%

Job summary

3M in Maplewood, MN is seeking an Advanced Application Engineer to develop and optimize adhesive dispensing processes for new product introductions from concept through production launch. You will design trials, document process parameters, and collaborate with product development, manufacturing, quality, and automation teams to deliver scalable solutions.

The role requires a bachelor’s degree in science or engineering and at least one year in process development or similar fields; experience

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in science or engineering from an accredited institution.
• 1 year of process development, application engineering, or related experience.

Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize adhesive dispensing processes for new product introductions from concept to production.
• Design and execute trials, feasibility studies, and concept evaluations to assess materials and methods.
• Document engineering parameters for dispense applications (flow rate, bead geometry, cure conditions, enviro controls).
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate requirements into scalable dispensing solutions.

Skills

Process development

Application engineering

Automation

Robotics

Manufacturing process optimization

Dispensing systems

Education

Bachelor's degree in science or engineering

Tools

Valves

Pumps

Nozzles

Controllers

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. Chat with Max For assistance with searching through our current job openings or for more information about all things 3M, visit Max, our virtual recruiting assistant on 3M.com/careers.

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/. Good Faith Posting Date Range 10/29/2026 To 11/28/2026 Or until filled All US-based 3M full time employees will need to sign an employee agreement as a condition of employment with 3M. This agreement lays out key terms on using 3M Confidential Information and Trade Secrets. It also has provisions discussing conflicts of interest and how inventions are assigned. Employees that are Job Grade 7 or equivalent and above may also have obligations to not compete against 3M or solicit its employees or customers, both during their employment, and for a period after they leave 3M. Learn more about 3M’s creative solutions to the world’s problems at www.3M.com or on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn @3M.

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.

Pay & Benefits Overview: https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/careers-us/working-at-3m/benefits/ 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.

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At 3M we apply science in collaborative ways to improve lives daily as our employees connect with customers all around the world. Learn more about 3M's creative solutions to global challenges at www.3M.com or on Twitter @3M or @3MNews.