Application Engineer

No C2C or 3rd Party Candidates will be Considered.

Sterling Engineering is partnering with a growing manufacturing organization to hire an Applications Engineer in Vernon Hills, IL. This is a great opportunity for an early-career engineer who wants to build both technical and customer-facing experience while working with advanced manufacturing and automation equipment.

You’ll work alongside experienced sales and engineering teams to learn customer applications, help develop technical solutions, and gain hands-on exposure to equipment demonstrations, testing, process improvement, and customer projects.

Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, 401(k), paid time off, paid holidays, and additional company-sponsored benefits.

• Work with experienced sales and engineering team members to understand customer needs and recommend technical solutions
• Participate in customer meetings, site visits, equipment demonstrations, and application reviews
• Learn how manufacturing equipment and processes are evaluated for different customer applications
• Assist with equipment testing, proof-of-concept projects, and customer acceptance testing
• Perform cycle time analysis and basic capacity planning
• Gain hands-on experience with electronic assembly and automated manufacturing equipment
• Help prepare technical proposals, project documentation, and statements of work
• Communicate with customers and internal sales, engineering, and service teams throughout projects
• Help answer customer technical questions and support RFIs and RFPs
• Participate in trade shows, customer workshops, training sessions, and company events
• Continue developing your knowledge of automation, manufacturing equipment, and electronic assembly technologies

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Engineering Technology, or a related field preferred
• Recent graduates and early-career engineers are encouraged to apply
• Internship, co-op, project, manufacturing, technical sales, or customer-facing engineering experience is a plus
• Strong mechanical or electrical aptitude and an interest in manufacturing and automation
• Comfortable communicating with customers and explaining technical information
• Curious, willing to learn, and comfortable asking questions
• Strong problem-solving and organizational skills
• Ability to manage multiple assignments and priorities
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office, including Excel