Applications Engineer
Protolabs
Applications Engineer
Protolabs
Online-quoted digital manufacturing for prototyping
Salary Range: 71300 to 95000 (Currency: USD) (Pay period: per-year-salary)
The Applications Engineer plays a pivotal role in helping customers bring innovative products to life by evaluating manufacturing opportunities across CNC machining, 3D printing, injection molding, and sheet metal fabrication. Acting as a trusted technical advisor, this role reviews customer drawings, 3D CAD models, RFQs, and quality requirements to ensure manufacturability, optimize outcomes, and mitigate risk. Working closely with Sales, Operations, and customers, the Applications Engineer delivers expert guidance throughout the quoting and production process, helping customers confidently move from concept to production while showcasing the full value of Protolabs' manufacturing solutions.
· Maintain strong customer service support by answering customer phone calls, emails, and chat questions
· Provide pre-sale technical guidance and consultative design support to customers and internal partners
· Support Sales activities and customer meetings including webinars, design reviews, and plant tours for non-strategic customers
· Maintain 4-hour response guidelines set on all customer (internal and external) communications.
· Gain a solid understanding of the customer’s technical requirements, design flexibility, project timeline, and product volume needs to recommend appropriate options within Protolabs factory and network offering.
· Deliver Design for Manufacturability feedback and provide innovative solutions for customer projects
· Thoroughly review and evaluate customer 3D CAD data, technical drawings, and RFQ’s to communicate customer requirements and ensure accurate quote information
· Manage risk by evaluating customer requirements, communicating expectations, and ensuring product fulfillment aligns with the appropriate product offering and manufacturing capabilities of Protolabs factory or network
· Coordinates with cross-functional partners to ensure customer requirements are communicated to downstream stakeholders for accurate order intake and product fulfillment
· Support Sales Enablement in creation and delivery of technical training to Sales
· Assist the customer in working through recommended or required changes to their 3D CAD model to help them take advantage of Protolabs’ services and value.
· Balance the objective of satisfying the customer requests with the potential of downstream risks to deliver acceptable parts on schedule.
· Effectively uses all work instructions and associated documentation when evaluating customer quotes.
· Local trade show support may be require
· BS in Engineering and 2+ years of related work experience or 5+ years of directly related work experience in an engineering or manufacturing role
· Experience in a technical, customer-facing or sales support role is preferred
· Direct experience in CNC machining, 3D Printing, or Injection molding
· Experience and working knowledge of one or more of the above and Sheet Metal fabrication is a plus
· Technical aptitude with ability to communicate technical information to others at various levels
· Able to read technical engineering drawings and understand fundamental requirements
· Experience with geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) is desirable
· Experience with modeling/revising 3-D solid model in native CAD software is desirable
· Strong customer relationship skills with an ability to build rapport, gain trust, and deliver effective communication
· Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work well within a team and with cross-functional partners
· Strong computer skills (MS Office applications), including experience with a CRM software.
Preferred Qualifications:
Protolabs delivers digital manufacturing services for rapid prototyping and low-volume production. Its core offerings include 3D printing, CNC machining, and injection molding, all accessible through an online quoting system that provides free design analysis within hours. The company leverages a global network of more than 250 vetted manufacturing partners to provide fast, scalable production with consistent quality. Unlike traditional shops, Protolabs combines an automated, online workflow with a large partner network to quickly move a concept from design to production, aiming to reduce development time and total costs. The goal is to help engineers, designers, and product developers bring ideas to market faster by pairing speed, cost efficiency, and responsive customer service with broad manufacturing capabilities.
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