Customer-Facing Manufacturing & Applications Engineer (Remote)

Position Overview

Customer-Facing Manufacturing & Applications Engineer (Remote)

We are seeking a highly motivated, customer-facing Engineer to support global growth initiatives by evaluating new business opportunities, interfacing directly with customers, and determining optimal global manufacturing strategies. This role serves as a technical liaison between customers, internal engineering teams, and global manufacturing sites, ensuring successful product introduction, manufacturability, and execution under demanding timelines. The ideal candidate is outgoing, technically strong, commercially aware, and comfortable operating in ambiguous, fast-paced environments. Although this position is remote, it requires regular global travel to manufacturing sites, customer locations, vendors, and raw material suppliers, with periodic work at our Milwaukee, WI–based R&D laboratory as needed. This high-visibility role offers direct customer interaction and the opportunity to influence global manufacturing decisions while working closely with senior leadership in a spring and stamping–based manufacturing environment.

Location: Remote (North America preferred). Travel: 25–50% (Global)

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as a primary technical interface with customers, supporting new business development and ongoing customer relationships.
• Evaluate new product opportunities and determine the best-fit global manufacturing site based on capability, capacity, cost, and risk.
• Provide design-for-manufacturability (DFM/DFA) input during quotation and development phases.
• Lead or support new product introductions (NPI) in collaboration with global manufacturing teams.
• Drive the implementation of new manufacturing processes, working closely with internal teams, equipment suppliers, and raw material vendors.
• Support process development, validation, and scale-up activities across multiple global sites.
• Apply CAD (SolidWorks preferred) to support product development, concept reviews, and manufacturing transitions.
• Utilize additive manufacturing and emerging technologies to accelerate prototyping and development cycles.
• Identify and support opportunities for AI and digital tools in manufacturing, process optimization, and decision-making.
• Prepare and deliver technical presentations, cost analyses, and recommendations to internal stakeholders and customers.
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously while meeting aggressive deadlines and customer expectations.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Materials Engineering, or a related engineering discipline (Master’s degree preferred).
• 5–8 years of relevant engineering experience in manufacturing, applications engineering, product development, or customer-facing technical roles.
• Strong proficiency in CAD software (SolidWorks strongly preferred).
• Solid understanding of manufacturing processes, tooling, materials, and industrial production environments.
• Experience supporting global manufacturing operations and cross-functional teams.
• Demonstrated ability to evaluate technical and commercial tradeoffs and make sound recommendations.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word) for analysis and executive-level communication.
• Familiarity with additive manufacturing technologies and modern digital manufacturing tools.
• Strong written and verbal communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to travel internationally 25–50%.

Preferred Qualifications

• Hands-on or application-level experience in spring manufacturing, including compression, extension, torsion, and/or formed wire products.
• Experience with metal stamping and forming processes, including progressive dies, tooling concepts, and high-volume production.
• Working knowledge of spring materials, heat treatment, surface finishing, and fatigue performance considerations.
• Experience supporting customer design reviews, technical problem solving, and cost reduction initiatives related to springs and stamped components.
• Familiarity with tight-tolerance, high-reliability components used in automotive, industrial, medical, or similar markets.

Benefits & Perks

• Salary: Competitive salary and performance-based bonuses.
• Benefits: Comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Opportunities for professional growth and development.
• Collaborative and supportive work environment.