Applications Engineer - Elk Grove Village, IL

Company Profile:

Yamazen Inc. is an importer and distributor of quality CNC manufacturing machinery, including machine tools and injection molding machines. We service manufacturers in the automotive, aerospace, construction equipment, medical, and I.T. industries. We have offices serving markets throughout the country and have experienced significant growth through territory and market expansion.

Opportunity:

The Applications Engineer is responsible for supporting Yamazen’s machine tool sales, customer applications, machine demonstrations, training, turnkey projects, and post-sale technical support. This position serves as a technical bridge between customers, Sales, Service, Engineering, OEM partners, and regional leadership to ensure Yamazen machine tools are properly applied, demonstrated, installed, and supported.

The Applications Engineer is expected to use strong CNC machining, programming, tooling, work holding, and process-development knowledge to help customers evaluate and successfully implement Yamazen-supported equipment. This role requires hands-on technical ability, customer-facing professionalism, strong communication skills, and the ability to troubleshoot real-world manufacturing challenges.

The Applications Engineer supports customer success by helping define machine feasibility, develop machining processes, execute demonstrations and test cuts, provide customer training, and assist with application-related issues before and after the sale.

Main tasks and responsibilities:

• Support machine tool sales by providing technical input during customer meetings, application reviews, machine demonstrations, and project discussions.
• Review customer parts, prints, tolerances, materials, cycle-time expectations, and production requirements to help determine machine feasibility and application risk.
• Program, set up, and operate CNC machining centers, turning centers, and related equipment.
• Develop CNC programs, machining processes, tooling strategies, fixture concepts, work holding recommendations, and cycle-time estimates.
• Prepare and execute customer demonstrations, test cuts, proof-of-concept projects, machine evaluations, and showroom applications.
• Support machine runoffs, customer acceptance activities, turnkey projects, and customer training events.
• Provide customer training on machine operation, CNC programming, probing, tooling, work holding, setup practices, and general machining best practices.
• Assist customers with post-sale applications support, including process troubleshooting, tooling recommendations, programming assistance, part-quality concerns, surface-finish issues, tolerance challenges, and productivity improvements.
• Work with Sales to review customer requirements and help identify proper machine configurations, options, accessories, tooling needs, and application limitations.
• Coordinate with Service personnel during machine installations, startups, troubleshooting visits, and customer support activities as needed.
• Assist with the selection and validation of tooling, fixtures, probes, rotary tables, coolant systems, automation interfaces, and other machine accessories.
• Support turnkey and engineered projects by assisting with process development, runoff preparation, documentation, customer communication, and follow-up support.
• Document proven processes, lessons learned, application notes, setup information, and recommended best practices for internal use.
• Maintain accurate records of customer visits, training activities, test cuts, project status, technical recommendations, and open action items.
• Communicate clearly with customers and internal teams regarding project scope, expectations, technical risks, required resources, timelines, and next steps.
• Represent Yamazen professionally during customer visits, trade shows, open houses, supplier events, technical demonstrations, and industry events.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and organized work area when working in Yamazen technical centers, customer facilities, or showroom environments.
• Follow all Yamazen procedures, customer-site safety requirements, and internal engineering standards.
• Support regional and national engineering initiatives as directed by management.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills and Qualifications:

• Strong CNC machining background with hands-on experience in setup, operation, programming, and process development.
• Proficiency with CNC machining centers and/or turning centers.
• CAM programming experience required; Mastercam experience preferred.
• Experience with multi-axis machining, 5-axis positioning, or full 5-axis programming preferred.
• Strong understanding of cutting tools, toolholders, work holding, fixtures, speeds and feeds, and machining strategy.
• Ability to read and interpret part prints, GD&T callouts, setup sheets, inspection reports, and technical documentation.
• Ability to troubleshoot machining issues related to tooling, programming, work holding, part movement, surface finish, chatter, tolerance, cycle time, and part quality.
• Experience with probing systems, tool measurement, part inspection, and machine setup best practices preferred.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and practical problem-solving ability.
• Ability to communicate technical information clearly and professionally to customers, Sales, Service, Engineering, and management.
• Strong organization, prioritization, and time-management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, customer requests, and deadlines under schedule pressure.
• Ability to work independently while supporting a regional and national engineering team.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Professional customer-facing presence and ability to represent Yamazen in a technical sales and support environment.
• Technical degree, apprenticeship, journeyman background, or equivalent industry experience preferred.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation required.
• Availability to travel as required to support customer visits, machine demonstrations, installations, training, trade shows, and regional engineering needs.

Compensation and Benefits:

Range: $28.85 - $40.87 ($60,000-$85,000) plus potential opportunity for overtime.

The actual base pay for the position may be influenced by factors such as education, training skills, qualifications, competencies, years of experience, job-related knowledge, and scope of the role, and could be outside of the posted pay range.

In addition to base pay, Yamazen Inc. provides a competitive compensation package including salary and semi-annual bonus opportunities.  Employee benefits include COMPANY PAID medical, dental, vision, short- & long-term disability and life insurance within the first 60 days, 401K with company match, and more!

Time off:  Vacation / Personal sick days / Company paid holidays

Misc:  Mileage reimbursement, Company provided uniforms, Company phone & iPad, New car discount program, Employee Assistance Program.

No phone calls please.

Yamazen is an equal opportunity employment company. All applicants are considered regardless of age, race, sex, color, national origin, religion, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation or any other protected status.