EDM Application Engineer

Makino; Auburn Hills (MI); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Makino is seeking an EDM Applications Engineer to act as a technical expert for customers, sales teams, and internal stakeholders. You will develop, test, and implement EDM manufacturing solutions across Wire EDM, Sinker EDM, and Fast Hole processes.

The role combines hands-on machining, process development, programming, and proactive technical support to maximize productivity and quality for our customers’ EDM investments.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of EDM machining or applications engineering experience.
• Experience with Wire EDM, Sinker EDM, or Fast Hole EDM required.
• Strong CAD/CAM and CNC programming understanding.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical applications support during sales, customer visits and demonstrations.
• Develop machining strategies, cycle time estimates and process proposals.
• Create and troubleshoot NC programs and process documentation.
• Support turnkey and shared-key project execution through customer acceptance.
• Deliver customer training and post-sale technical support.

Skills

EDM machining expertise

Customer-facing communication

Problem solving

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing/Mechanical Engineering or related field

Tools

CAD/CAM systems

CNC programming

Tooling/fixturing knowledge

Job description

Makino is a world leader in metal-cutting and machining technology. As a leader in advanced manufacturing machine tool technology, Makino enables its customers to realize the highest level of quality with the fastest time to market. When companies make the parts that matter for automotive, aerospace, medical, die-mold and other industries worldwide, they make them with Makino.

Position Summary

The EDM Applications Engineer serves as a technical expert supporting customers, sales teams, and internal stakeholders by developing, testing, and implementing EDM manufacturing solutions. This role combines hands‑on machining expertise, process development, programming, and customer‑facing technical support to help customers maximize productivity, quality, and performance from their EDM technology investments. The ideal candidate will have experience with Wire EDM, Sinker EDM, and/or Fast Hole EDM processes, along with a strong understanding of tooling, automation, programming, and manufacturing best practices.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

Customer and Sales Support

• Provide technical applications support throughout the sales process, including customer visits, technical reviews, demonstrations, and solution development.
• Evaluate customer parts, drawings, and manufacturing requirements to determine optimal EDM processing methods.
• Develop machining strategies, cycle time estimates, tooling recommendations, and process proposals.
• Conduct machine demonstrations, test cuts, and proof‑of‑concept trials to validate solutions and support machine sales.
• Present technical findings and application recommendations to customers and internal teams.

Process Development and Programming

• Develop and optimize EDM machining processes for productivity, accuracy, surface finish, and reliability.
• Create, modify, and troubleshoot NC programs, machine parameters, and process documentation.
• Generate and edit CAD/CAM data to support customer applications and turnkey projects.
• Research and integrate automation, tooling, fixturing, and third‑party technologies into customer solutions.
• Perform process validation and document results for future use and standardization.

Project Execution

• Support turnkey and share‑key projects from concept through customer acceptance.
• Coordinate fixture design, process development, testing, and project timelines.
• Conduct run‑offs and final process validation prior to customer delivery.
• Deliver complete process documentation and technical reports.
• Customer Training and Technical Support
• Provide customer training on machine operation, process optimization, maintenance, and programming.
• Deliver post‑sale support including troubleshooting, process improvement, and production optimization.
• Work collaboratively with Service, Engineering, Product Management, and Sales teams to resolve technical challenges.
• Support field installations and customer startup activities.
• Continuous Improvement
• Investigate new technologies, EDM applications, automation solutions, and manufacturing methods.
• Participate in product testing, software validation, and process improvement initiatives.
• Provide technical feedback to engineering and product management teams to support future product development.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in manufacturing engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Technology, or related field preferred.
• Equivalent combination of education and hands‑on EDM manufacturing experience will be considered.
• 3+ years of EDM machining, applications engineering, manufacturing engineering, or related experience.
• Experience with Wire EDM, Sinker EDM, or Fast Hole EDM processes.
• Experience with CNC programming, CAD/CAM systems, and process development.
• Customer‑facing technical support or applications engineering experience preferred.
• Strong understanding of EDM machining principles and process optimization.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, GD&T, and complex part geometry.
• Experience with tooling, fixturing, automation systems, and manufacturing processes.
• Working knowledge of CAD/CAM software and CNC programming.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office applications.

We believe that the interests of our company and people are inseparable, and we are committed to developing a diverse team of creative and independent professionals. Employees enjoy a stable work environment from a company with years of success and growth in the machine tool industry.

Makino is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities