Greater Philadelphia Area | Hybrid
Lead the Technical Strategy Behind Complex Engineered SolutionsAre you passionate about solving complex engineering challenges while working directly with customers to develop innovative solutions?
We are seeking a Manager of Applications & Estimating to lead a critical customer-facing function within a growing engineered-to-order (ETO) manufacturing organization. This role sits at the intersection of Sales, Engineering, Manufacturing, and Project Management, helping shape technical solutions that drive revenue, profitability, and successful project execution.
This is more than a leadership role—it's an opportunity to influence how customer opportunities are evaluated, engineered, and delivered from concept through proposal.
What You'll DoAs Manager of Applications & Estimating, you'll lead a team responsible for developing customized engineered solutions while remaining hands-on with strategic opportunities.
You'll:
- Lead and develop the Applications & Estimating team.
- Partner directly with customers to understand operational challenges and develop engineered solutions.
- Prepare and oversee technical proposals, quotations, and project estimates.
- Evaluate technical and commercial risk before projects move into execution.
- Collaborate with Sales, Engineering, Manufacturing, and Project Management to deliver practical, profitable solutions.
- Drive continuous improvement in estimating accuracy, proposal quality, and departmental performance.
- Personally support complex applications engineering opportunities as business needs require.
We're seeking a technical leader who combines engineering expertise with commercial insight.
Qualified candidates will have:
- 7–10 years of experience in Applications Engineering, Estimating, Project Engineering, Technical Sales, or a related technical leadership role.
- Experience within engineered-to-order manufacturing, custom machinery, automation, packaging systems, material handling, or process equipment.
- Experience leading or mentoring technical teams.
- A proven ability to develop customer-focused engineered solutions.
- Strong estimating, proposal development, and commercial decision-making skills.
- Excellent communication and relationship-building abilities.
Experience supporting sanitary or highly regulated manufacturing environments is highly valued, including:
- Wash-down equipment
- Food or beverage processing
- Packaging automation
- Hygienic process equipment
- Other engineered systems requiring sanitary design principles
Candidates from other engineered-to-order industries with strong applications engineering experience are also encouraged to apply.
Why Join Us?You'll become part of a collaborative leadership team where engineering innovation and customer partnership drive business success. This role offers the opportunity to:
- Lead a high-impact technical function.
- Influence major customer opportunities from concept through award.
- Work on complex, custom-engineered systems.
- Develop and mentor a growing technical team.
- Drive improvements that directly impact customer satisfaction, revenue, and profitability.
Greater Philadelphia Area (Hybrid)
Periodic travel to customer sites and manufacturing facilities throughout North America is expected.
Ready to Learn More?If you're an engineering leader who enjoys solving complex customer challenges, building high-performing teams, and delivering practical engineered solutions, we'd welcome the opportunity to speak with you.
Apply today for a confidential conversation.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Skills Required
- 7-10 years of experience in Applications Engineering, Estimating, Project Engineering, Technical Sales, or a related technical leadership role
- Experience within engineered-to-order manufacturing, custom machinery, automation, packaging systems, material handling, or process equipment
- Experience leading or mentoring technical teams
- Ability to develop customer-focused engineered solutions
- Strong estimating, proposal development, and commercial decision-making skills
- Excellent communication and relationship-building abilities
- Experience supporting sanitary or highly regulated manufacturing environments
- Experience with wash-down equipment
- Experience with food or beverage processing
- Experience with packaging automation
- Experience with hygienic process equipment or engineered systems requiring sanitary design principles
What We Do
XpanseHR provides outsourced and fractional human resources support, HR advisory, compensation consulting, talent acquisition, and executive search services. The firm partners with organizations across sectors—including education, nonprofits, manufacturing, professional services, and mid-market businesses—to strengthen people strategies, improve workforce management, support compliance, and build high-performing teams. XpanseHR delivers practical, tailored HR guidance and operational support.








