Strategic Solutions Engineer - San Francisco, CA

Strategic Solutions Engineer - San Francisco, CA

About MISUMI Americas

MISUMI Americas, a division of MISUMI Group, is a leading provider of standard, configurable, and custom manufacturing solutions. By integrating a vast catalog of components with a world-class digital manufacturing platform, MISUMI Americas empowers engineers and procurement teams to accelerate innovation across the entire product lifecycle. With operations in the San Francisco Bay Area and Chicago, the company serves as a vital partner for the most innovative companies in the Americas.

Misumi Americas is seeking a Strategic Solutions Engineer to join our solution engineering team focused on strategic, high-complexity, production-level customer programs. This role sits at the intersection of engineering, manufacturing, customer advisory, and commercial execution, supporting customers as they scale from prototype into production.

The ideal candidate brings deep experience in CNC machining, casting and sheet metal fabrication, CAD, strong technical communication skills, and the ability to guide customers through DFM/DFA, production readiness, operational/program support, cost optimization, and mechanical assembly considerations. This role is highly customer-facing and requires comfort operating in ambiguous, high-stakes environments.

Customer & Program/Production Support

• Serve as a trusted technical advisor/guide for strategic customers with complex CNC and sheet metal manufacturing needs.
• Lead technical scoping discussions, translating customer requirements into manufacturable, scalable solutions.
• Support customers through prototype → production transitions, anticipating manufacturing risks early.

Manufacturing & DFM Expertise

• Perform detailed DFM/DFA reviews for CNC-machined and sheet metal components.
• Evaluate part geometry, tolerances, GD&T, material selection, and finish requirements for manufacturability and cost.
• Provide cost optimization recommendations based on process selection, feature simplification, and volume scaling.
• Support quoting efforts with manufacturing-informed input on feasibility, risk, and lead time.

Assembly & System-Level Understanding/Support

• Evaluate and guide on mechanical assemblies, including:
• Part-to-part fit, stack-ups, and tolerance interactions
• Fastener selection, joint design, and access for assembly
• Assembly sequencing and installation considerations
• Help customers identify risks related to assembly, serviceability, and field installation.
• Provide feedback that improves downstream assembly efficiency and reduces rework.

Technical Execution

• Review and interpret engineering drawings with strong command of GD&T.
• Design updates for manufacturability
• Parametric 3D Modeling & Visualization
• Detailed Documentation & Drafting with GD&T
• Optimizing CAD — CNC to Die Cast and 3DP to IM
• Leverage AI tools (e.g., Claude and other AI assistants) to accelerate DFM analysis, documentation, customer-facing content creation, and day-to-day engineering workflows.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Sales, Operations, Quality, and LoB teams.

Quality & Compliance Awareness

• Apply working knowledge of ISO 9001 and AS9100D requirements in customer discussions and internal workflows.
• Identify quality risks early and ensure proper requirements definition (“quality in, quality out”).
• 6+ years of relevant experience in manufacturing roles such as CNC, Sheet Metal, or Die Casting (candidates with deeper experience are strongly encouraged to apply).
• Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering or related field, or equivalent demonstrated hands-on experience.
• Strong expertise in CNC machining processes (milling, turning, multi-axis), Die Casting, and Sheet metal fabrication (forming, punching, laser, bending).
• DFM, cost optimization, and manufacturing trade-off fluency.
• Hands-on experience in production-scale manufacturing programs.
• Proven ability to interpret and apply engineering drawings and GD&T.
• Solid understanding of mechanical assemblies and installation considerations.
• Experience supporting customer-facing technical discussions.
• Familiarity with ISO 9001 and AS9100D compliance environments.
• Willingness and…