Hands-on Applications Engineering Manager

Gosnaphop; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 140,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Gosnaphop in Schaumburg, IL is seeking an Application Engineering Manager to lead the Applications Engineering Department and drive turnkey projects, machine validations, and customer demonstrations.

The role demands hands-on CNC machining leadership, strong manufacturing engineering background, and the ability to guide engineers while solving complex technical challenges. Expect ~10% travel and close collaboration with cross-functional teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or related field preferred; equivalent hands-on manufacturing experience will receive equal consideration.
• Minimum 8 years of progressive hands-on experience within CNC machining, manufacturing engineering, applications engineering, machine tool applications, or turnkey manufacturing.
• Previous hands-on experience as CNC Machinist, CNC Programmer, Manufacturing Engineer, Applications Engineer, or similar manufacturing position.
• Demonstrated experience leading technical teams while remaining actively involved in engineering activities.
• Extensive hands-on experience with CNC machine setup and programming, machine/process prove-out, tooling selection, workholding, fixture design, machining and process optimization.

Responsibilities

• Lead the daily operations of the Applications Engineering Department, coordinating engineering priorities, workloads, schedules, and technical resources.
• Ensure successful execution of customer demonstrations, turnkey projects, machine validations, training events, and engineering activities.
• Maintain Technical Center and showroom readiness, ensuring machines remain customer-ready.
• Lead execution of major demonstrations, open houses, customer events, and strategic engineering initiatives.
• Mentor, coach, and develop Applications Engineers while driving accountability, ownership, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
• Support customer visits, executive demonstrations, technical presentations, machine evaluations, and manufacturing assessments.
• Partner cross-functionally with Sales, Service, Operations, Facilities, Marketing, and Executive Leadership to ensure successful project execution.
• Develop and maintain relationships with strategic manufacturing technology partners.
• Establish engineering standards, best practices, processes, and technical documentation.
• Identify process improvements and remove technical or operational obstacles affecting engineering execution.
• Support recruiting, hiring, onboarding, and development of engineering personnel.
• Ensure continuity of engineering operations while supporting global initiatives and collaborating with international engineering teams.

Skills

CNC machining

Manufacturing engineering

Technical leadership

Mentoring

Customer engagement

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or related field

Tools

Fanuc controls

Siemens CNC controls

Mastercam

Siemens NX CAM

hyperMILL

ESPRIT

GibbsCAM

Job description

Gosnaphop in Schaumburg, IL is seeking an Application Engineering Manager to lead the Applications Engineering Department and drive turnkey projects, machine validations, and customer demonstrations.

The role demands hands-on CNC machining leadership, strong manufacturing engineering background, and the ability to guide engineers while solving complex technical challenges. Expect ~10% travel and close collaboration with cross-functional teams.