Senior Applications Engineer - Automation Concept and Estimating

ATC Automation; Cookeville (TN); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

HSA

FSA

401(k)

Life insurance

Paid time off

Professional development

Career growth

Remote flexibility

Job summary

ATC Automation is seeking a Senior Applications Engineer – Automation Concept & Estimating to join our growing team in the United States. You’ll help transform customer challenges into practical automation concepts and accurate estimates for custom equipment.

You will collaborate across engineering, estimating, sales, and leadership, balancing technical feasibility, cost, and delivery timelines, with travel as needed. Remote flexibility may be available for highly experienced candidates.

Qualifications

• 7+ years in custom automation or related manufacturing.
• Experience developing automation concepts and/or quotations.
• Strong understanding of machine design and automated manufacturing processes.
• Ability to interpret drawings, GD&T, production requirements, and technical documentation.
• Advanced proficiency with SolidWorks or similar 3D CAD software.
• Strong proficiency with Microsoft Excel and other Office applications.
• Working knowledge of mechanical, pneumatic, electrical, and controls systems used in automated equipment.
• Ability to understand manufacturing processes including machining, fabrication, welding, assembly, and purchased components.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
• Ability to communicate technical information clearly to customers, sales teams, engineers, and leadership.
• Ability to manage multiple quotations and priorities while meeting deadlines.
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel periodically.

Responsibilities

• Review customer drawings, specifications, production requirements, tolerances, cycle-time expectations, and manufacturing processes to determine project feasibility.
• Develop conceptual automation solutions for custom assembly machines, manufacturing systems, tooling, test equipment, and special machinery.
• Create preliminary machine layouts, tooling concepts, process flows, and 3D conceptual designs using SolidWorks and other engineering tools.
• Determine the appropriate combination of mechanical, pneumatic, electrical, controls, robotics, vision, and other automation technologies for proposed solutions.
• Develop accurate project cost estimates for custom automation equipment, including purchased components, fabricated components, machining, assembly, controls, engineering, and other project costs.
• Develop estimated operator task times, machine cycle times, and process requirements to support proposed automation concepts.
• Work with suppliers, engineering teams, manufacturing personnel, and internal subject matter experts to validate concepts and costs.
• Research automation technologies, components, manufacturing processes, and equipment to identify practical and cost-effective solutions.
• Prepare detailed technical proposals, quotations, concept presentations, and supporting documentation.
• Create 3D renderings, layouts, visuals, and other materials that clearly communicate proposed solutions to customers.
• Collaborate with Sales, Engineering, Project Management, and company leadership throughout the quotation process.
• Participate in customer meetings and presentations to explain technical concepts, project assumptions, capabilities, and proposed solutions.
• Evaluate alternative concepts and make recommendations based on technical feasibility, cost, manufacturability, cycle time, and customer requirements.
• Maintain quotation schedules and priorities to meet customer deadlines and sales objectives.
• Travel periodically for customer meetings, site visits, and other business needs.

Skills

Automation concepts

Estimating

Machine design

GD&T

Communication

Quotations management

Travel ability

Driver's license

Multi-quotation handling

Tools

SolidWorks

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Build the Concept, Develop the Solution, Win the Project with ATC Automation!

ATC Automation is seeking an experienced Senior Applications Engineer – Automation Concept & Estimating to join our growing team.

This is a unique opportunity for an engineer or automation professional who enjoys working in the early stages of custom automation projects-taking a customer's manufacturing challenge, developing an equipment concept, determining the best technical approach, and building an accurate estimate and proposal.

You will work at the intersection of engineering, estimating, sales, and customer requirements, helping transform an idea or customer specification into a practical, cost-effective automation solution.

If you have experience with custom automation, special machinery, machine design, applications engineering, estimating, quoting, or proposal development, we want to hear from you.

About ATC Automation

Since 1977, ATC Automation has been a trusted leader in designing and building custom automation solutions. From concept to commissioning, we partner with some of the world's top brands to deliver precision-engineered machinery that improves efficiency, reliability, and performance. Our expertise spans industries that shape the way we live and move-Life Sciences, Transportation, Consumer Products, and General Industry.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary and compensation package.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Health Savings Account (HSA).
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA).
• 401(k).
• Life insurance.
• Paid Time Off.
• Professional development and technical training.
• Opportunities for career growth and advancement.
• Collaborative engineering and manufacturing environment.
• Opportunity to work on unique, custom-designed automation systems.
• Exposure to a wide range of industries and automation technologies.
• Remote flexibility may be available for highly experienced candidates.

What You'll Do

• Review customer drawings, specifications, production requirements, tolerances, cycle-time expectations, and manufacturing processes to determine project feasibility.
• Develop conceptual automation solutions for custom assembly machines, manufacturing systems, tooling, test equipment, and special machinery.
• Create preliminary machine layouts, tooling concepts, process flows, and 3D conceptual designs using SolidWorks and other engineering tools.
• Determine the appropriate combination of mechanical, pneumatic, electrical, controls, robotics, vision, and other automation technologies for proposed solutions.
• Develop accurate project cost estimates for custom automation equipment, including purchased components, fabricated components, machining, assembly, controls, engineering, and other project costs.
• Develop estimated operator task times, machine cycle times, and process requirements to support proposed automation concepts.
• Work with suppliers, engineering teams, manufacturing personnel, and internal subject matter experts to validate concepts and costs.
• Research automation technologies, components, manufacturing processes, and equipment to identify practical and cost-effective solutions.
• Prepare detailed technical proposals, quotations, concept presentations, and supporting documentation.
• Create 3D renderings, layouts, visuals, and other materials that clearly communicate proposed solutions to customers.
• Collaborate with Sales, Engineering, Project Management, and company leadership throughout the quotation process.
• Participate in customer meetings and presentations to explain technical concepts, project assumptions, capabilities, and proposed solutions.
• Evaluate alternative concepts and make recommendations based on technical feasibility, cost, manufacturability, cycle time, and customer requirements.
• Maintain quotation schedules and priorities to meet customer deadlines and sales objectives.
• Travel periodically for customer meetings, site visits, and other business needs.

What We're Looking For

We are looking for someone who understands that successful automation projects start with a strong concept and an accurate estimate. The ideal candidate has experience developing concepts and estimates for custom automation, special machinery, automated assembly equipment, manufacturing systems, or similar engineered-to-order equipment.

Required Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in custom automation, special machinery, machine building, applications engineering, estimating, or a related manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated experience developing automation concepts and/or quotations/estimates.
• Strong understanding of machine design and automated manufacturing processes.
• Ability to interpret customer drawings, specifications, GD&T, production requirements, and technical documentation.
• Advanced proficiency with SolidWorks or similar 3D CAD software.
• Strong proficiency with Microsoft Excel and other Microsoft Office applications.
• Working knowledge of mechanical, pneumatic, electrical, and controls systems used in automated equipment.
• Ability to understand manufacturing processes, including machining, fabrication, welding, assembly, and purchased components.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with excellent attention to detail.
• Ability to communicate technical information clearly to customers, sales teams, engineers, and leadership.
• Ability to manage multiple quotations and priorities while meeting deadlines.
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel periodically.

Preferred Experience

• Custom automation estimating or quoting.
• Applications engineering.
• Special machine design.
• Automated assembly equipment.
• Manufacturing process development.
• Machine concept development.
• Proposal engineering.
• Automation sales support.
• Cost estimating for engineered-to-order equipment.
• Robotics and robotic automation.
• Vision inspection systems.
• Automated testing.
• Pneumatic and servo-driven systems.
• PLC-controlled machinery.
• Medical device or life science automation.
• Automotive or transportation automation.
• Consumer products or packaging automation.

What Makes This Role Different

This isn't a position where you'll spend your day working on the same machine or repeating the same design. At ATC Automation, you'll work on custom-engineered automation projects, each with different customer requirements, manufacturing challenges, processes, and technical considerations.

You will be involved from the beginning-helping answer questions such as:

What should we build? How should the process work? Can we automate it? What technology should we use? How much will it cost? Can we build it within the customer's requirements?

You then help turn those answers into a concept, estimate, and proposal that can ultimately become a completed automation system.

Ready to Build What's Next?

If you're an Applications Engineer, Estimating Engineer, Proposal Engineer, Automation Engineer, Mechanical Engineer, or automation professional who enjoys turning customer requirements into practical equipment concepts and accurate project estimates, we'd like to hear from you.

Bring your automation experience to ATC Automation and help design the machines that make tomorrow's manufacturing possible.

Disclaimer

This job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not intended to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this position. This job description is subject to change but will remain in effect until superseded or canceled in writing by Human Resources.

ATC Automation is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, veteran status, and other protected status as required by applicable law.

ATC Automation is the Automation segment of TASI Group. The TASI Group of Companies is comprised of four technologically advanced Strategic Business Segments commonly linked by a disciplined focus on Product Integrity, Package Integrity, and Automation. Each TASI company delivers world-class products and services, focusing on our global customer needs in diverse market segments. TASI has served several thousand global customers over the years and enjoys a very high rate of repeat customers, many of which are Blue Chip Global Companies. Major Markets include: Automotive, Medical Devices, Life Science, Pharmaceutical, Packaging, Oil & Gas, Food & Beverage, Consumer Goods and General Industrial Equipment.