Applications Specialist

WARDJET Waterjet; Akron (OH); On-site; USD 70,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

WARDJet is seeking a hands-on Applications Specialist for on-site work in the United States, focusing on waterjet cutting systems. You will develop and demonstrate cutting applications, run material trials, program and operate systems, and deliver customer training.

You will work with Sales, Engineering, and Product Development to optimize parameters, review materials and tolerances, and ensure productive machine setups for diverse applications.

Qualifications

• Associate's or bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology, Manufacturing Engineering Technology, CNC Manufacturing, Machining, Electrical/Electronic Controls, or a related technical field preferred.
• 3+ years of experience with industrial machinery and CNC equipment.
• Direct experience with waterjet cutting equipment strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Follow safety procedures and maintain a clean work environment.
• Set up, program, operate, and demonstrate waterjet cutting systems.
• Perform material trials, test cuts, and time studies to optimize processes.
• Develop and optimize waterjet cutting parameters including pressure, abrasive flow, feed rates, and pierce strategies.
• Review materials, drawings, tolerances, and production requirements to determine effective cutting solutions.
• Create and optimize CAD/CAM programs using IGEMS, WARDCAM, or other platforms.

Skills

CNC programming concepts

CAD/CAM workflows

Mechanical aptitude

Troubleshooting

Customer training

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's/Associate degree in Mechanical/Manufacturing/related field

Tools

IGEMS

WARDCAM

CNC routers

Job description

AXYZ and WARDJet are leading manufacturers of advanced CNC cutting systems serving customers across a wide range of industries and applications. WARDJet specializes in high-performance waterjet cutting systems engineered for precision, flexibility, and demanding production environments. Together with AXYZ CNC router and knife cutting systems, our technology portfolio provides customers with versatile cutting solutions for metals, composites, plastics, stone, glass, wood, and many other materials.

With Application Development Centers and technical teams supporting customers throughout North America and internationally, we provide hands‑on machine demonstrations, application testing, customer training, process development, and ongoing technical support. Our focus is on helping customers maximize the performance of their equipment through reliable machinery, strong applications expertise, and exceptional after-sales support.

Role Description

We are seeking a full-time, on‑site Applications Specialist based in the United States, with a primary focus on WARDJet waterjet cutting systems.

The Applications Specialist will serve as a technical resource for customers, Sales, Technical Support, Engineering, and Product Development. This individual will develop and demonstrate waterjet cutting applications, conduct customer material trials and time studies, program and operate WARDJet systems, troubleshoot cutting applications, and deliver hands‑on customer training.

The ideal candidate has strong mechanical and CNC aptitude and enjoys combining technical problem‑solving with customer interaction. This role requires the ability to understand a customer's application and determine the appropriate machine setup, programming strategy, cutting parameters, tooling, and operating practices to achieve the desired result.

While the primary focus of the role will be WARDJet waterjet technology, the Applications Specialist may also support AXYZ CNC router and knife cutting systems as required.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Follow all company safety procedures and maintain a clean, organized, and safe work environment.
• Set up, program, operate, and demonstrate WARDJet waterjet cutting systems.
• Perform customer material trials, test cuts, cut‑quality evaluations, and production time studies.
• Develop and optimize waterjet cutting parameters, including pressure, abrasive flow, feed rates, pierce strategies, cut quality, and toolpath strategies.
• Review customer materials, drawings, tolerances, production requirements, and applications to determine effective cutting solutions.
• Create and optimize CAD/CAM programs using waterjet programming software such as IGEMS, WARDCAM, or other applicable platforms.
• Document test‑cut parameters, machine settings, CAD/CAM files, cycle times, results, and recommendations.
• Conduct in‑person and virtual equipment and software demonstrations for prospective and existing customers.
• Support the Sales team with technical application reviews, machine demonstrations, test cuts, sample parts, time studies, and other customer requirements.
• Help customers understand machine capabilities, expected productivity, operating considerations, and application requirements.
• Deliver advanced hands‑on training for machine operators, programmers, engineers, maintenance personnel, and other customer personnel.
• Provide training on machine operation, CAD/CAM software, programming, cutting processes, routine maintenance, and application best practices.
• Work with customers before machine installation to understand their applications and develop effective onboarding and training plans.
• Support newly installed systems by helping customers establish appropriate cutting programs, processes, and operating procedures.
• Troubleshoot waterjet cutting, programming, application, and process‑related issues.
• Provide remote application assistance and technical guidance to customers when required.
• Support the Technical Support team with application‑related customer issues and training.
• Serve as an internal subject matter resource for WARDJet waterjet technology and cutting applications.
• Support AXYZ CNC router and knife cutting demonstrations, applications, programming, and customer training as required.
• Train and support Sales personnel on WARDJet and AXYZ machine capabilities, software, applications, and manufacturing processes.
• Identify opportunities to improve cutting performance, cycle times, consumable life, cut quality, and overall machine productivity.
• Evaluate cutting heads, abrasives, consumables, tooling, software, and other technologies that may improve customer applications.
• Assist Engineering and Product Development with machine testing, software testing, application development, new product validation, and machine upgrades.
• Provide feedback to Engineering and software development teams regarding machine performance, usability, customer requirements, and potential product improvements.
• Assist in developing and maintaining training manuals, application guides, standard operating procedures, technical documentation, and instructional videos.
• Assist with the creation of demonstration parts and samples for Sales and Marketing initiatives.
• Maintain demonstration machines in a clean, professional, and customer‑ready condition.
• Participate in customer events, trade shows, open houses, product demonstrations, and training events as required.
• Maintain accurate records of customer demonstrations, training sessions, test results, and application findings.
• Communicate technical concerns clearly and elevate issues to the appropriate internal teams when necessary.
• Coordinate customer trials, demonstrations, and training activities with Sales and other internal departments.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Associate's or bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology, Manufacturing Engineering Technology, CNC Manufacturing, Machining, Electrical/Electronic Controls, or a related technical field preferred.
• 3+ years of experience working with industrial machinery, CNC equipment, machining, fabrication, or advanced manufacturing.
• Direct experience with waterjet cutting equipment is strongly preferred.
• Experience programming, setting up, operating, or troubleshooting CNC machinery is strongly preferred.
• Strong understanding of CNC programming concepts, CAD/CAM workflows, machine setup, and manufacturing processes.
• Experience with waterjet CAD/CAM software such as IGEMS or WARDCAM is a strong plus.
• Experience with CNC routers, machining centers, tooling, or other automated cutting equipment is a plus.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, CAD files, dimensions, tolerances, and manufacturing specifications.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and hands‑on troubleshooting skills.
• Ability to analyze cutting results and adjust machine parameters to improve quality and productivity.
• Experience delivering hands‑on technical training or instruction in a customer‑facing environment is preferred.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to explain complex technical concepts in practical, understandable terms.
• Comfortable working directly with machine operators, engineers, manufacturing managers, business owners, and sales professionals.
• Comfortable presenting machine and software demonstrations both in person and virtually.
• Experience developing technical documentation, training materials, instructional videos, or similar content is a plus.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills with an interest in improving manufacturing processes.
• Proactive, customer‑focused, organized, and detail‑oriented with strong follow‑through.
• Ability to manage multiple customer applications, demonstrations, and projects simultaneously.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and meet customer and project deadlines.
• Ability to make sound independent decisions and handle challenging customer situations professionally.
• Positive attitude with a strong willingness to learn new manufacturing technologies, software, and applications.

Additional Requirements

• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States.
• Valid U.S. driver's license and ability to travel to customer locations as required.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally, including travel to Canada and the United Kingdom, as required.
• Must possess or be able to obtain a valid passport for international travel.
• Flexibility in working hours may occasionally be required to accommodate customer demonstrations, material trials, training, installations, and events.
• Ability to lift a minimum of 60 pounds.
• Ability to safely work around industrial machinery and manufacturing equipment.
• Ability to stand for extended periods while operating, demonstrating, or training on equipment.
• Ability to use a computer for extended periods for CAD/CAM programming, documentation, and customer support.
• Must be willing and able to comply with all company safety policies, procedures, and applicable regulations.