Head of Applications Engineering & Estimating

Invio Automation

Hudson (OH)

On-site

USD 120,000 - 180,000

Full time

14 days+

Get more replies from employers

Send a job-specific resume in minutes.

Job summary

Invio Automation is seeking an experienced Manager of Applications & Estimating to lead the technical evaluation, solution development, and estimating for custom automation opportunities. This leader will oversee a team of Applications Engineers and Estimators translating customer requirements into cost-effective automation solutions aligning with business goals.

The role requires deep experience in custom automation or special machine building, lifecycle understanding, and ability to balance

Qualifications

7+ years in custom automation, special machine building, or industrial automation.
3+ years leading engineering, applications, estimating, or technical sales teams.
Strong understanding of automated manufacturing systems, robotics, vision systems, controls, and motion systems.
Experience developing technical proposals and cost estimates for complex capital equipment.
Strong business acumen balancing customer needs, technical requirements, risk, and profitability.
Excellent leadership, communication, and presentation skills.
Willingness to travel between Webster, NY and Hudson, NH as needed.

Responsibilities

Lead, coach, and develop the Applications Engineering and Estimating teams across multiple locations.
Establish standardized estimating processes, proposal development practices, and quotation quality standards.
Partner with Sales to qualify opportunities, assess technical and commercial risk, and prioritize proposal efforts aligned with business objectives.
Oversee technical reviews and interpretation of customer RFQs, specifications, compliance requirements, and Statements of Work.
Manage the development of automation concepts, machine architectures, cycle time analyses, and manufacturing solutions.
Ensure accurate labor, material, purchased equipment, and risk assessments are incorporated into project estimates.
Drive consistency in proposal quality, costing methodology, and profitability across all business units.
Lead technical, commercial, and proposal review meetings to ensure estimates, risks, and customer solutions are aligned prior to proposal submission.
Partner with Sales during customer discovery meetings, technical presentations, and solution reviews.
Collaborate with Engineering, Operations, Purchasing, and Project Management to validate technical assumptions and resource requirements.
Review proposal margins, project risks, and commercial assumptions prior to customer submission.
Ensure a seamless transfer of technical, commercial, and customer requirements from Sales and Applications to Project Management and Engineering following project award.
Promote the use of standardized designs, estimating methodologies, and reusable engineering solutions to improve consistency, efficiency, and profitability.
Serve as a safety leader by modeling safe behaviors, reinforcing safety expectations, and fostering a culture of continuous safety improvement.
Continuously improve estimating tools, databases, labor standards, and cost models.
Analyze win/loss data and estimate accuracy to improve forecasting and quoting performance.
Drive continuous improvement by incorporating lessons learned from completed projects into estimating practices, proposal development, and engineering standards.
Support strategic initiatives that expand Invio's capabilities within medical device, life sciences, industrial automation, and other targeted markets.
Foster collaboration between the Webster and Hudson locations to leverage technical expertise and standardize best practices.