ABOUT THE COMPANY

This is a specialized division of one of the largest machine tool distribution networks in North America, a third generation family owned business serving manufacturers of precision machined parts through multiple operating divisions.

The division is built around a single premium Japanese precision CNC brand, making it unusual in the market for the depth of its product expertise rather than the breadth of its catalog. It has grown aggressively, more than doubling year over year, and continues to expand into new territories across the US, Canada, and Mexico.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Applications Engineer is one of the most important roles in the commercial organization, described internally as the glue between sales, service, and the customer. This role provides hands-on technical support to current and prospective customers, drives pre-sales application development alongside the Sales Executive, and delivers training and demonstrations on precision CNC equipment throughout the territory.

Southern California is the number two Swiss CNC market in the nation and the company is entering it as a new market. The territory has over 400 identified accounts, 89 of which have had prior interaction with the brand since 2020. The Applications Engineer is central to changing that position, since technical credibility at the machine is what converts a competitive shop.

This is a ground floor opportunity. The person in this seat helps establish the company's technical reputation in a mature, high density market rather than maintaining an established one.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Customer Support & Technical Service

•    Provide technical support to current customers for new part development, process engineering, and machine optimization.

•    Serve as the primary technical resource for assigned accounts with regular on-site customer visits.

•    Troubleshoot CNC equipment issues and develop solutions on-site at customer facilities.

•    Perform machine assessments and develop part processing recommendations tailored to each customer's application.

•    Follow up with customers to ensure satisfaction and resolve technical issues after service or installation.

Pre-Sales & New Business Support

•    Conduct customer visits and opportunity evaluations for prospective accounts alongside the Sales Executive.

•    Develop and present turnkey proposals, cost estimates, and proof-of-concept projects.

•    Run customer demonstrations for machining centers, lathes, Swiss-style lathes, grinders, and multi-tasking machines.

•    Support the Sales Executive on the technical side of the sales cycle, particularly in competitive displacement situations.

Training & Application Development

•    Deliver on-site customer training on safe setup, operation, and best practices for the equipment.

•    Program and operate CNC machine tools with Fanuc-based controls.

•    Utilize CAD/CAM software to develop part programs and demonstrate machine capabilities.

•    Write engineering reports, cost estimates, and interpret technical plans and specifications.

•    Develop custom demonstrations and proof-of-concept projects across machine types.

Internal Collaboration

•    Work cross-functionally with the sales team, service team, and applications engineering group nationally.

•    Coordinate with Sales Executives on account strategy and new machine opportunities within the territory.

•    Maintain accurate CRM records for all customer visits, technical notes, and open opportunities.

TERRITORY COVERAGE

•    Los Angeles County and Orange County, the core of the Southern California market.

•    Over 400 identified accounts in the territory, 89 with prior brand interaction since 2020.

•    Orange County or LA area home base required, within reasonable reach of the regional office.

•    Highest account density of any territory in the network, so most customers are reachable on day trips.

•    Field based 3 to 4 days per week, with home office time for reports, proposals, and customer communication.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

•    Minimum 3 years of hands-on CNC machine tool experience in a shop or field environment.

•    Knowledge of Fanuc-based CNC controls.

•    Strong technical problem-solving skills, able to diagnose and resolve machine issues in the field.

•    Strong customer-facing communication ability, with regular interaction with shop managers, engineers, and operators.

•    Ability to work independently and manage a territory without daily supervision.

•    Located in Orange County or the LA area.

Preferred

•    Sliding headstock or Swiss CNC machine experience (Tsugami, Citizen, Star, or similar).

•    5-axis machining experience.

•    CAD/CAM software proficiency.

•    Manufacturing or mechanical engineering background.

•    Previous applications engineering or technical sales support experience.

•    Familiarity with the Southern California manufacturing base, particularly aerospace, defense, and medical device.

Ideal Backgrounds

•    Top CNC machinist or technician ready to move off the shop floor into a customer-facing role.

•    Field service technician with CNC experience seeking an applications or customer-facing position.

•    CNC programmer or Swiss machinist with customer interaction experience.

•    Manufacturing engineer with hands-on machine operation experience.

•    Earlier career stage is acceptable. The company provides full training on product specifics.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

•    Base salary: Up to $130,000 based on experience, with entry, mid, and senior tiers.

•    Car allowance: $800 per month plus gas card, or federal mileage reimbursement rate, at the candidate's choice.

•    Performance bonus under evaluation.

•    Full health, dental, and vision insurance, with a zero-premium medical plan option available.

•    Company-paid life insurance.

•    401(k) with company contribution.

•    23 paid days off in year one plus 10 company-paid holidays.

•    Tuition reimbursement and professional development support.

•    All travel expenses covered on a corporate card.

WHO THRIVES HERE

This is a field-first role in a market where the company is the challenger rather than the incumbent. The people who do well are technically credible, comfortable in front of customers, and self-directed enough to run a territory without daily oversight.

•    Professional and personable, since this person represents the company at customer facilities every day.

•    Self-motivated and accountable, with significant territory autonomy.

•    Quick learner who can be trained on company processes and product specifics.

•    Comfortable working in active manufacturing environments and on production floors.

What Does Not Work

•    Purely technical candidates who are not comfortable in front of customers. Customer presence is non-negotiable.

•    Candidates seeking a desk or office-based role. This is a field-first position.

•    Candidates located outside the Orange County and LA geography.