Global Portfolio Application Engineer - Coated Abrasives

3M; Minnesota; On-site; USD 146,000 - 178,000; Full time

Job summary

3M seeks a Global Portfolio Application Engineer for Coated Abrasives at the Maplewood, MN site. You will lead global commercialization, coordinate field trials, and develop training materials for launches, partnering with cross-functional teams to deliver customer-focused solutions.

You will apply coating and abrasive knowledge to drive product development, support market expansion, and contribute to digital tool adoption while traveling up to 25% domestically or internationally.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Material Science completed before start.
• Five years providing technical support in an application engineering role in diverse sectors.
• Experience with new product development and cross-functional teamwork.
• Familiarity with coated abrasive belt products and industrial applications.
• Strong analytical and data-validation skills.
• Hands-on construction experience using industrial abrasives.

Responsibilities

• Lead global commercialization projects within ASD and coordinate VOC.
• Develop launch training materials and execute product launches.
• Collaborate with area leads for global input and feedback.
• Deliver application and abrasive knowledge transfer to customers.
• Contribute to new solution development with cross-functional teams.
• Advise on standards through regulatory and industry bodies; support digital AE tools.

Skills

Technical support

Application engineering

Global collaboration

Coated abrasive knowledge

Analytical skills

Fabrication experience

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Material Science

Job description

Job Description

Global Portfolio Application Engineer - Coated Abrasives

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 variety 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 a Global Application Engineer supporting Abrasive Systems Division and the Coated Abrasive Belt portfolio, you will lead efforts to drive growth through new product commercialization, new application development, and customer collaboration. Leverages 3M to drive higher impact Customer Inspired Innovation (CII) programs through increased product specialization that complements application expertise. Builds compelling value propositions for effective commercialization. Provides global coordination of field trials with lead customers and evaluating global competition practices. Replicates and develops high impact product/market applications with a focus on new application development and efficient replication leveraging e-tools. Uses expertise and credibility to shape industry standards, practices, and regulations; harnesses insights from market and customer process expertise. Delivers customer and market focused training through e-media.

• AE Lead and Core team member on ASD global commercialization projects, coordinating global input in development of VOC and customer requirements definition, Internal and external field test validation, Development of launch training materials and execution of launch training.
• Coordinate above activities with Area Lead AE’s to provide global perspective and consolidate feedback for NPI commercialization projects.
• Leverage expertise to deliver application and abrasive knowledge transfer through customer aligned application development and portfolio marketing support.
• Providing insights on customer needs as a member of 3M product development teams, collaborating on new solution development.
• Leverage customer process expertise to drive growth through global key accounts, strategic area accounts and relevant OEM's and influence relevant standards through regulatory, industrial or customer bodies.
• Drive development and use of digital AE tools.

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 Engineering or Material Science discipline (completed and verified prior to start)
• Five (5) years of experience providing technical support to customers in an application engineering role, in a private, public, government, or military environment.

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

• Experience in new product development processes and related application engineering functions.
• Experience leading and collaborating with Global and Cross functional teams.
• Experience, running, testing, evaluating coated abrasive belt products used in metalworking or industrial applications.
• Proven analytical skills to consolidate, compare and validate qualitative and quantitative data.
• Hands-on construction and fabrication experience, particularly utilizing industrial abrasives

Work location

This role follows an on-site working model, requiring the employee to work at least four days a week at the 3M Center in Maplewood, MN

Travel

May include up to 25% domestic and international

Relocation Assistance

No

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. Applicable to US Applicants Only:The expected compensation range for this position is $145,676 - $178,049, 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 08/31/2026 To 09/30/2026 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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