Application Engineering Manager - Aerospace & Defense

3M; Minnesota; On-site; USD 188,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental & Vision

Health Savings Accounts

Health Care & Dependent Care Flexible

Disability Benefits

Life Insurance

Voluntary Benefits

Paid Absences and Retirement Benefits

Job summary

3M is seeking an Application Engineering Manager for Aerospace & Defense to lead a global team of application engineers and translate customer needs into innovative, high-performance solutions. The role focuses on cross‑functional collaboration, strong technical leadership, and delivering value to key accounts in a fast-paced environment.

Based at the Maplewood, MN site with on‑site work requirements, you will drive product development, mentorship, and strategic initiatives while maintaining a

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a science or engineering discipline (completed and verified prior to start).
• Five (5) years of product development, new product commercialization, application engineering, or management of a team in these roles.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a global team of Application Engineers supporting Aerospace & Defense accounts and growth initiatives.
• Translate customer needs and market insights into differentiated 3M solutions.
• Strengthen technical relationships across customer organizations.
• Support the team in delivering the technical components of product spec-in.
• Manage prioritized projects and lead initiatives that accelerate customer value and/or improve internal operations.
• Collaborate with internal teams on technology, product, and capability development.
• Mentor and develop Application Engineers while ensuring customer satisfaction and business results.

Skills

People management

Aerospace knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in science or engineering

Job description

Job Description

Application Engineering Manager – Aerospace & Defense

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 wide vraiety 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

• Leading and developing a global team of Application Engineers supporting key Aerospace & Defense accounts and growth initiatives
• Fostering a customer‑centric approach to translating customer needs, market insights, and emerging trends into differentiated 3M solutions
• Building and strengthening technical relationships across customer organizations
• Supporting the team in delivering the technical components of product spec‑in
• Managing prioritized projects and leading initiatives that accelerate customer value and/or improve internal operations
• Collaborating internally with Vertical, Platform, TEGL, and CRL teams on technology, product, and capability development
• Mentoring and developing Application Engineers while driving accountability for customer satisfaction, technical excellence, and business results

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 a science or engineering discipline (completed and verified prior to start)
• Five (5) years of product development, new product commercialization, application engineering, or management of a team in these roles – translating customer needs into technical product performance criteria in a private, public, government or military environment

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

• Ten (10) years of product development, commercialization, application engineering, or other similar role – or management of a team in these roles – translating customer needs into technical product performance criteria in a private, public, government or military environment
• Comprehensive knowledge of aerospace industry materials, technologies, processes, and specifications
• Technical management experience, and more specifically, experience leading a team of application engineers
• Demonstrated ability to navigate complex problems and identify innovative solutionsProject management experience

Work location

• This role has on‑site working model, with the employee working at least four days a week in the office at 3M Center, located in Maplewood, MN.

Travel

May include up to 15% 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.

Compensation

Applicable to US Applicants Only: The expected compensation range for this position is $188,251 - $230,084, 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.

• Medical
• Dental & Vision
• Health Savings Accounts
• Health Care & Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Disability Benefits
• Life Insurance
• Voluntary Benefits
• Paid Absences and Retirement Benefits

Additional information is available at: https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/careers-us/working-at-3m/benefits/.

Posting Date Range

Good Faith Posting Date Range 09/29/2026 To 10/29/2026 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

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

Safety

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/

Equal Opportunity

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.