Pre-Sales Applications Engineer – Robotic Welding & Automated Systems

KLA Industries, Inc.; Waukesha (WI); On-site; USD 113,000 - 138,000; Full time

Job summary

KLA Industries, Inc. in Pewaukee, WI is seeking a Pre-Sales Applications Engineer specialized in robotic welding and automated systems.

You will evaluate customer prints, lead the technical feasibility assessments, and architect robotic cell concepts with FANUC or ABB, delivering high-margin proposals. This on-site, first-shift role requires 7+ years in welding automation, strong CAD skills, and ability to travel about 15% for customer engagements.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of welding automation experience in pre-sales or robotic systems integration.
• Solid understanding of GMAW/MIG and GTAW/TIG processes and how material selection impacts feasibility.
• CAD proficiency with AutoCAD, SolidWorks, or similar for cell layout reviews/drafts.
• Strong client-facing communication and presentation skills for interfacing with engineering teams and leadership.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical feasibility by reviewing parts, drawings, and specs to assess weld viability.
• Architect welding automation concepts including process selection and cell layouts per project budgets.
• Develop technical proposals with layouts, cycle-time estimates, labor hours, and BOMs.
• Coordinate weld sample evaluations, process trials, and feasibility testing to validate solutions.
• Travel to customer facilities (~15% domestic/international) to gather requirements and present solutions.
• Ensure welding processes comply with AWS D1.1, ASME IX and customer specs.

Skills

Robotic welding

Pre-Sales engineering

Welding automation

GMAW/MIG

GTAW/TIG

CAD proficiency

Education

Engineering degree (2-year technical or 4-year)

Bachelor's degree in Welding/Mechanical Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

SolidWorks

Job description

Pre-Sales Applications Engineer - Robotic Welding & Automated Systems

Up to $125,000/yr Pewaukee, WI Area 1st Shift / Mon-Fri Direct-Hire

• Pay & Incentives: Baseline starting salary up to $125,000/yr (scaling directly with pre-sales and welding automation depth) + 401(k) retirement match, full corporate health/dental/vision/life benefits, and annual performance merit reviews.
• Work Pattern/Schedule: Dedicated 1st Shift schedule (Monday - Friday) based 100% on-site at the Pewaukee facility, paired with light travel (~15% domestic/international) for technical discovery and proposal presentations.
• Environment & Company Profile: Direct-hire seat with a premier, family-owned custom automation integrator featuring cutting-edge R&D, long-tenured team culture, zero micromanagement, and custom high-value machinery builds.
• Core Technical Scope: Serve as primary pre-sales technical lead for robotic welding cells; evaluate customer prints for weld feasibility, conduct sample trials, specify power sources/tooling, architect cell concepts (FANUC/ABB), and develop technical proposal packages.
• Strict Requirements & Authorization: Requires 2-Year technical or 4-Year engineering degree, 7+ years of progressive experience in robotic welding, GMAW/GTAW metallurgy, and pre-sales applications/quoting, US work authorization (U.S. Citizen or Green Card holder), and a local Pewaukee commute (~45 mins).

If you are a creative welding automation specialist who loves cutting-edge technology and thrives on solving complex technical puzzles, this direct-hire seat with an industry-leading custom systems integrator offers an exceptional career path. We operate as a true extension of our customers' R&D departments—building custom, high-value automated systems that have never been created before.

Serving as the primary technical interface during the pre-sales and proposal phase, you will evaluate customer parts and prints, determine weld feasibility, architect robotic cells, and partner with sales and engineering to deliver high-margin, manufacturable automation proposals in an environment free of corporate red tape.

What You Will Be Doing (Daily Responsibilities)

• Lead Technical Feasibility: Serve as the main pre-sales technical point of contact, reviewing customer parts, engineering drawings, and specs to evaluate weld feasibility and application scope.
• Architect Welding Automation Concepts: Select and specify welding processes (GMAW, GTAW, robotic arc), power sources, tooling concepts, and robotic cell layouts (FANUC, ABB) tailored to project budgets.
• Develop Technical Proposals: Partner with Sales and Engineering to generate technical proposal content, including preliminary layouts, cycle time estimates, labor hours, and equipment BOMs.
• Conduct Process Trials & Testing: Coordinate weld sample evaluations, process trials, and feasibility testing to validate proposed automation solutions prior to customer contract.
• Customer Collaboration & Travel: Travel to customer facilities (~15% domestic/international) to gather technical requirements, lead design reviews, and present proposed automation solutions.
• Code & Compliance Oversight: Ensure proposed weld processes adhere to industry standards (AWS D1.1, ASME Section IX) and customer specs, including defense-adjacent application requirements.

What We Are Looking For (Requirements & Qualifications)

• Robotic Welding & Pre-Sales Experience: 7+ years of technical expertise in welding automation, pre-sales application engineering, or robotic systems integration.
• Process & Metallurgy Mastery: Solid understanding of GMAW/MIG, GTAW/TIG, and robotic arc welding processes, understanding how material selection and joint fit-up impact automation feasibility.
• Engineering CAD & Layout Literacy: Proficiency reviewing or drafting conceptual cell layouts using AutoCAD, SolidWorks, or similar 2D/3D design tools.
• Customer-Facing Communication: Professional presentation and communication skills to interface directly with client engineering teams and plant leadership.
• Location & Authorization: U.S. Citizenship or Green Card holder residing within a comfortable 45-minute daily driving radius of the Pewaukee, WI area.

Preferred Technical Assets (Bonus Skills)

• Educational Background: Bachelor's degree in Welding Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related technical discipline; or equivalent hands-on industry experience.
• Industry Certifications: AWS Certified Welding Engineer (CWEng), Certified Welding Inspector (CWI), or similar formal credentials.
• Robotics & Simulation Software: Experience with FANUC, ABB RobotStudio, or offline programming simulation platforms.