Applications Engineer – CNC Machine Tools & Automation
Location: Cochranton, Pennsylvania
Department: Applications Engineering
Reports To: Applications Engineering Manager
Employment Type: Full-Time
Direct Reports: None
Travel: Up to 30% on site at customer locations
About JBM Technologies
JBM Technologies partners with manufacturers to improve productivity, efficiency, and profitability through high-performance CNC machine tools, automation, robotics, and custom-engineered manufacturing solutions.
Our mission is to transform our customers’ manufacturing processes by partnering with them to develop engineered solutions around the highest-performing equipment in the industry.
Our core values guide how we work and how we hire: collaboration, innovation, solutions-oriented thinking, wisdom, integrity, and perseverance.
Position Summary
JBM Technologies is seeking an experienced, hands-on Applications Engineer to support our sales, service, and customers throughout the CNC machine-tool buying and implementation process.
This is a customer-facing, hands-on applications engineering role within the CNC manufacturing industry. The successful candidate will use their knowledge of CNC machining, programming, manufacturing processes, tooling, workholding, automation, and machine tools to develop practical solutions to complex manufacturing challenges.
You will work closely with our Sales Team to evaluate customer applications, develop machining processes, conduct time and feasibility studies, create turnkey solutions, and provide technical recommendations. You will also support machine installations, customer training, demonstrations, and post-installation troubleshooting.
This is not an entry-level engineering position. Candidates should have hands-on experience with CNC machining, CNC programming, manufacturing processes, or machine-tool applications.
Key Responsibilities Applications & Process Engineering
- Develop engineered solutions for CNC machining applications, turnkeys, robotics, automation, workholding, tooling, and machine options.
- Analyze customer manufacturing processes and identify opportunities to improve productivity, efficiency, quality, and return on investment.
- Conduct machining feasibility studies, process evaluations, cycle-time studies, and capability studies.
- Develop manufacturing processes and recommend appropriate machines, tooling, workholding, cutting tools, automation, and accessories.
- Create engineering estimates for machine options, tooling, materials, programming, labor, and other turnkey requirements.
- Develop and document process plans and technical solutions.
- Assist with custom CNC programming and process development.
- Evaluate and troubleshoot machining, programming, tooling, and process-related issues.
Sales Support
- Work directly with the Sales Team to develop technical solutions for customer applications.
- Participate in customer visits, application reviews, technical presentations, and machine demonstrations.
- Translate customer manufacturing challenges into practical, cost-effective engineering solutions.
- Provide technical information and recommendations to customers, sales representatives, vendors, and internal teams.
- Assist in preparing turnkey proposals and return-on-investment recommendations.
- Support trade shows, open houses, demonstrations, and industry events.
Installation, Training & Customer Support
- Assist the Service Team with machine, option, accessory, automation, and tooling installations.
- Assist customers with machine setup, programming, operation, and process implementation.
- Deliver customer training on CNC machine setup, programming, operation, and applications.
- Provide phone and email support for customer application and technical questions.
- Assist in troubleshoot customer issues and coordinate with Service, Sales, and manufacturers when additional support is required.
- Provide post-installation support to ensure successful implementation and customer satisfaction.
Technical Development
- Maintain current knowledge of JBM's machine-tool brands, CNC controls, machining processes, cutting applications, workholding, tool holders, cutting tools, robotics, and automation.
- Continuously develop knowledge of new machine technologies, CNC controls, software, tooling, and manufacturing processes.
- Develop, perform, and present machine demonstrations for customers, trade shows, and industry events.
- Represent JBM professionally when working with customers, vendors, manufacturers, and industry professionals.
Required Qualifications
Candidates must meet the following minimum requirements:
- 3+ years of hands-on experience in CNC machining, CNC programming, manufacturing, machine-tool applications, or a closely related field.
- Working knowledge of CNC machining processes and manufacturing fundamentals.
- Ability to read and interpret mechanical drawings and manufacturing documentation.
- Experience with CNC programming and/or CAM programming software.
- Ability to troubleshoot machining and manufacturing process issues.
- Ability to communicate technical information clearly to customers, salespeople, machinists, service technicians, and vendors.
- Strong mechanical aptitude and problem-solving ability.
- Comfortable working hands-on around CNC machinery.
- Basic understanding of electrical/electronic, mechanical, hydraulic, and/or pneumatic systems used in CNC machinery and automation.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and general computer applications.
- Ability to travel to customer facilities, JBM locations, trade shows, and industry events up to approximately 30% of the time.
- Valid driver's license and ability to travel as required.
Preferred Qualifications
The following experience is highly desirable but not required:
- Previous Applications Engineer experience in the CNC machine-tool or manufacturing industry.
- Experience working for a CNC machine-tool builder, distributor, or dealer.
- 5+ years of CNC machining or manufacturing experience.
- Experience with CNC turning, milling, or multi-axis machining.
- Experience with CAM software and advanced CNC programming.
- Experience with CAD software.
- Experience with robotics, automation, or material handling systems.
- Experience developing turnkey machining solutions.
- Experience with cutting tools, workholding, tool holders, and machining optimization.
- Experience with CNC controls such as Fanuc, Mitsubishi, Siemens, or other industrial CNC controls.
- Trade school, technical school, engineering technology, or engineering education.
What We're Looking For
The right person for this position is more than someone who can use CAD or write CNC code. We're looking for someone who understands manufacturing and knows how to solve problems.
You should be comfortable walking onto a customer's shop floor, looking at a part and its current process, asking the right questions, identifying inefficiencies, and developing a better solution.
You should be equally comfortable:
- Standing at a CNC machine during a cutting demonstration.
- Reviewing a customer's process with a machinist.
- Developing a cycle-time estimate in the office.
- Troubleshooting a CNC application over the phone.
- Presenting a technical solution to a customer.
- Working alongside a service technician during an installation.
- Learning a new CNC control, machine, software, or automation system.
We're looking for someone who is curious, mechanically minded, technically capable, organized, adaptable, and willing to continuously learn.
Core Competencies
- Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
- Excellent verbal and written communication.
- Project and time management skills.
- Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities.
- Strong organizational skills.
- Mechanical aptitude.
- Attention to detail.
- Ability to work independently while contributing to a collaborative team.
- Adaptability and willingness to learn new technologies.
- Ability to develop, hone, and master new technical skills.
- Professional customer-service mindset.
- Ability to remain calm and solutions-oriented when troubleshooting problems.
Physical & Travel Requirements
This position requires both office-based engineering work and hands-on work in manufacturing environments.
- Ability to spend prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
- Ability to spend prolonged periods standing and working at CNC machinery.
- During machine installations and troubleshooting, the employee may be required to kneel, squat, bend, crawl, lay down, or maneuver inside a machine.
- Ability to safely work in a manufacturing environment around CNC machinery, cutting tools, chips, coolants, and industrial equipment.
- Travel to customer facilities, other JBM locations, manufacturers, trade shows, and industry events may be required, up to approximately 30% of the time.
Why Join JBM Technologies?
At JBM, you won't be sitting behind a desk designing the same product every day. You'll work directly with manufacturers to solve real-world production challenges and see your solutions come to life on the shop floor.
You'll have the opportunity to work with CNC machine tools, advanced machining processes, robotics, automation, tooling, controls, and turnkey manufacturing solutions while working alongside an experienced team of sales, service, and applications professionals.
If you enjoy manufacturing, solving problems, working with customers, and learning new technology, this is an opportunity to build a long-term career in advanced manufacturing.
If you have hands-on CNC or manufacturing experience and are ready to take the next step into a technical, customer-facing applications role, we'd like to hear from you.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: From $65,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Experience:
- Engineering Design: 3 years (Preferred)
- CNC Machinery: 5 years (Preferred)
- CAD/CAM Software: 3 years (Preferred)
Work Location: In person
