Applications Engineer

Connect-Force; Canton Charter Township (MI); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Connect-Force seeks an Applications Engineer to join our Michigan operation. You will work with customers and internal teams to translate manufacturing challenges into technically feasible and commercially competitive equipment and process solutions.

The role involves reviewing RFQs, developing technical proposals, estimating costs, and coordinating with engineering, sales, and project teams through proposal to execution. On-site manufacturing environment experience is preferred.

Qualifications

• Review customer RFQs, technical specifications, drawings, and manufacturing requirements.
• Evaluate customer applications and determine appropriate equipment, processes, and technical solutions.
• Develop technical concepts and preliminary equipment/process solutions based on customer requirements.
• Prepare detailed technical proposals, quotations, cost estimates, and supporting documentation.
• Work with engineering and manufacturing teams to determine project scope, equipment requirements, labor, materials, and estimated costs.
• Assist with equipment and process selection for highly engineered manufacturing applications.
• Communicate directly with customers to clarify specifications, timelines, and technical expectations.
• Partner with sales to ensure proposed solutions address customer manufacturing needs.
• Review drawings, layouts, cycle-time requirements, specifications, and other technical documentation.
• Identify potential technical or commercial risks during the proposal stage.
• Support proposal presentations and technical discussions with customers.
• Coordinate with internal engineering, project management, purchasing, manufacturing, and service teams as projects move from proposal to execution.
• Maintain accurate proposal documentation, revisions, costing information, and customer requirements.
• Provide technical support throughout the sales and project-development process.

Responsibilities

• Review customer RFQs, technical specs, drawings, and manufacturing requirements.
• Evaluate applications and determine appropriate equipment, processes, and technical solutions.
• Develop technical concepts and preliminary equipment/process solutions based on customer requirements.
• Prepare detailed technical proposals, quotations, cost estimates, and supporting documentation.
• Coordinate with engineering and manufacturing teams to define project scope, equipment needs, labor, materials, and costs.
• Assist with equipment and process selection for highly engineered manufacturing applications.
• Communicate with customers to clarify specifications, timelines, and expectations.

Skills

RFQ review

Technical proposal development

Customer interaction

Cross-functional collaboration

Reading and interpreting drawings

Cost estimation

Project coordination

Technical communication

Manufacturing knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering

Related technical discipline

Job description

Applications Engineer – Confidential Opportunity

Location: Farmington Hills, MI
Job Type: Full-Time | On-Site
Industry: Industrial Machinery / Advanced Manufacturing

The Opportunity

Our client, an established global manufacturer of highly engineered industrial equipment and manufacturing solutions, is seeking an Applications Engineer to join its Michigan operation.

This position is an excellent opportunity for an engineer who enjoys combining technical problem-solving, manufacturing knowledge, customer interaction, and proposal development.

The Applications Engineer will work closely with customers, engineering, sales, manufacturing, and project teams to understand technical requirements and develop the right equipment and process solutions.

This is a highly visible position within the organization with the opportunity to become an important technical resource for both customers and internal teams.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Review customer RFQs, technical specifications, drawings, and manufacturing requirements.

• Evaluate customer applications and determine appropriate equipment, processes, and technical solutions.

• Develop technical concepts and preliminary equipment/process solutions based on customer requirements.

• Prepare detailed technical proposals, quotations, cost estimates, and supporting documentation.

• Work with engineering and manufacturing teams to determine project scope, equipment requirements, labor, materials, and estimated costs.

• Assist with equipment and process selection for highly engineered manufacturing applications.

• Communicate directly with customers to clarify specifications, requirements, timelines, and technical expectations.

• Partner with sales to ensure proposed solutions accurately address the customer's manufacturing needs.

• Review drawings, layouts, cycle-time requirements, specifications, and other technical documentation.

• Identify potential technical or commercial risks during the proposal stage.

• Support proposal presentations and technical discussions with customers.

• Coordinate with internal engineering, project management, purchasing, manufacturing, and service teams as projects move from proposal to execution.

• Maintain accurate proposal documentation, revisions, costing information, and customer requirements.

• Provide technical support throughout the sales and project-development process.

What We're Looking For

The ideal candidate has a strong technical foundation and is comfortable working between engineering, manufacturing, customers, and sales.

Candidates should be able to take a customer's manufacturing challenge and help turn it into a practical, technically sound solution.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical discipline preferred.

• Previous experience as an Applications Engineer, Proposal Engineer, Manufacturing Engineer, Project Engineer, Estimating Engineer, or similar technical position.

• Experience within industrial machinery, machine tools, automation, manufacturing equipment, special machines, or engineered-to-order equipment is highly desirable.

• Ability to read and interpret technical drawings, specifications, and customer RFQs.

• Experience developing technical proposals, quotations, estimates, or project scopes.

• Understanding of manufacturing processes, equipment, tooling, automation, and/or mechanical systems.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.

• Comfortable communicating directly with customers regarding technical requirements.

• Ability to work cross-functionally with engineering, sales, manufacturing, purchasing, and project management.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

• Ability to manage multiple proposals and priorities simultaneously.

The Right Person

We're looking for someone who enjoys figuring out how to make something work.

You may currently be an Applications Engineer, but you could also be a Proposal Engineer, Manufacturing Engineer, Project Engineer, Estimator, or technically minded engineer who has experience developing solutions for customers.

The strongest candidate will be able to understand a customer's requirements, ask the right technical questions, collaborate with internal engineering teams, and ultimately help develop a solution that is both technically feasible and commercially competitive.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

This position offers exposure to sophisticated manufacturing technology, complex engineering challenges, and major industrial customers.

You’ll have the opportunity to work across multiple areas of the business rather than being limited to one engineering function. The role provides exposure to the entire front end of the project lifecycle — from the initial customer request and technical concept through proposal development and project handoff.

For an engineer who enjoys a combination of technical engineering, customer interaction, problem-solving, estimating, and business development, this is an opportunity to build a highly valuable and versatile skill set.

All inquiries, conversations, and applications will be handled confidentially.