Job Description

About the Role

Pinnacle Partners is recruiting for an Applications Engineer in Indianapolis, IN. This position focuses on CNC programming, machining applications, customer demonstrations, and developing turnkey manufacturing solutions. The ideal candidate will have strong CAM and CNC programming experience, with the ability to take a customer part from an engineering print or 3D model through programming, tooling selection, machining, and final demonstration.

This role combines hands-on machining expertise, technical problem-solving, and customer interaction, with travel generally capped at 25%.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop accurate machining and cycle-time estimates using customer prints, engineering drawings, and 3D solid models.

• Program CNC machines to manufacture customer parts using appropriate speeds, feeds, tooling, and toolpaths.

• Develop and execute cutting demonstrations showcasing 3-axis and 5-axis milling machines and multi-axis lathes.

• Determine appropriate tooling, workholding, fixturing, and machining processes for customer applications.

• Evaluate customer parts and manufacturing requirements to determine the best machine, tooling, and processes to produce the finished product.

• Run customer parts on CNC machines to validate programming, machining processes, and production capabilities.

• Conduct time studies to evaluate machining cycle times, efficiency, and overall machine performance.

• Travel to customer facilities to perform machine runoffs and demonstrate the equipment's ability to manufacture customer parts.

• Conduct CNC milling and lathe programming and operator training classes.

• Provide technical support to customers, including troubleshooting machining applications, programming challenges, and operational issues.

• Collaborate with Sales, Marketing, and Service teams to provide technical expertise and application solutions.

• Assist customers with optimizing machining processes, improving efficiency, and maximizing machine performance.

• Utilize advanced knowledge of CNC machine functionality, performance, programming, and operating systems to support customer applications.

• Manage multiple customer projects simultaneously, coordinating programming, machining demonstrations, and project timelines.

• Support turnkey projects by developing complete manufacturing solutions, from initial part review and machine selection through programming and final implementation.

• Provide technical expertise throughout the pre-sales process to demonstrate how CNC equipment can meet customer manufacturing requirements.

Requirements:

• Two- or four-year degree in a STEM-related field, preferably related to machining, manufacturing, or engineering, or equivalent relevant experience.

• Strong CNC programming experience, including the ability to take an engineering print or 3D model and program a machine to manufacture the part.

• Extensive CAM experience with the ability to independently develop programs and toolpaths.

• Understanding of machining speeds, feeds, tooling selection, workholding, and fixturing requirements.

• Experience with 3D modeling or 2D/3D CAM programming.

• Proven CNC machine tool applications experience involving 3-axis and 5-axis mills and multi-axis lathes.

• Ability to perform machining time studies and evaluate cycle times.

• Strong mechanical aptitude and technical problem-solving skills.

• Ability to evaluate customer manufacturing requirements and develop practical machining solutions.

• Strong communication and customer service skills, with the ability to explain technical processes and demonstrate equipment capabilities.

• Ability to manage multiple projects and competing priorities.

• Willingness and ability to travel up to 25%, including occasional overnight stays.

• Ability to work independently at customer facilities and conduct machine demonstrations and runoffs.

Preferred:

• Experience developing turnkey manufacturing solutions, from initial part review and machine selection through programming and final production.

• Previous experience selecting tooling, workholding, and fixturing for complex machining applications.

• Background as a CNC Operator, CNC Setup Technician, CNC Programmer, or Applications Engineer.

• Experience providing technical support directly to end-user customers.

• Familiarity with multiple CAM software platforms.

• Experience with 3D printing, additive manufacturing, or other engineering-related hobbies and projects.

• Strong interest in machining, manufacturing technology, and hands-on technical problem-solving.

• Bilingual in Spanish.

• Experience supporting customer applications involving complex parts and machining requirements.

Benefits Overview:

• Annual base salary ranging from approximately $60,000–$90,000.

• Annual bonus potential.

• Comprehensive benefits package.

• Additional week of time off typically built into the holiday schedule due to the Christmas/New Year's shutdown.

• Limited travel, generally capped at 25%, with efforts to keep employees home on weekends.

• Shared company vehicle, company credit card, and travel expense reimbursement through Concur for applicable travel.

• Travel time is paid.

• Standard first-shift schedule, generally 7:00 AM–4:00 PM or 8:00 AM–5:00 PM.

• On-the-job training and development alongside an experienced applications engineering team.

• Collaborative corporate office environment featuring an onsite gym and open-concept workspace.

• Opportunity to work with advanced CNC machine tools and a variety of complex customer machining applications.

• Opportunity to develop complete manufacturing solutions and directly influence customer productivity and manufacturing capabilities.

Explore More Engineering Opportunities

This role falls within our Engineering/Manufacturing division, where we specialize in placing professionals in areas such as:

• Quality Engineering and Quality Assurance

• Mechanical/Electrical Engineering

• Manufacturing/Process Engineering

• CNC Machining and Programming

• Field Service Engineering

• Technical Support and Parts Management

• Controls and Automation Engineering

• Project Engineering

• Operations / Plant Engineering

Explore additional Engineering roles and learn more about how we support Engineering professionals:

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