Hands-On CNC Applications Engineering Leader

Addison Group; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k)

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life Insurance

Short-term disability

Paid vacation and holidays

Employee referral program

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Addison Group represents a leading global manufacturer of CNC machine tools hiring an Application Engineering Manager for its Chicago-area Technical Center in Schaumburg, IL. This hands-on leadership role oversees the Applications Engineering team and ensures delivery of demonstrations, turnkey projects, and machine validations.

The ideal candidate blends CNC machining depth with team leadership, customer-facing communication, and a drive for continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred; equivalent hands-on manufacturing experience considered.
• Minimum 8 years’ progressive hands-on experience in CNC machining, manufacturing or turnkey projects.
• Hands-on experience as CNC machinist/programmer or applications engineer is required.
• Demonstrated ability to lead technical teams while staying engaged in engineering activities.
• Expert knowledge of CNC setup, programming, tooling, workholding, and process optimization.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily operations of the Applications Engineering Department, prioritizing workloads and resources.
• Ensure successful customer demonstrations, turnkey projects, and machine validations.
• Maintain showroom readiness and customer-ready machines.
• Direct major demonstrations, events, and strategic engineering initiatives.
• Mentor and develop Applications Engineers, promoting accountability and teamwork.
• Support customer visits, executive demonstrations, and technical presentations.
• Collaborate with Sales, Service, Operations, Facilities, Marketing, and leadership.
• Build relationships with strategic manufacturing technology partners.
• Establish standards, processes, and documentation; drive continuous improvement.
• Assist recruiting, onboarding, and development of engineering staff.

Skills

CNC machining

Leadership

Project management

Customer facing

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical/Manufacturing Engineering

Tools

Fanuc controls

Siemens controls

Mastercam

Siemens NX CAM

hyperMILL

ESPIRIT

GibbsCAM

Job description

Addison Group represents a leading global manufacturer of CNC machine tools hiring an Application Engineering Manager for its Chicago-area Technical Center in Schaumburg, IL. This hands-on leadership role oversees the Applications Engineering team and ensures delivery of demonstrations, turnkey projects, and machine validations.

The ideal candidate blends CNC machining depth with team leadership, customer-facing communication, and a drive for continuous improvement.