Mechatronics Application Engineer - Chicago, IL

Founded in , Festo Corporation is the leading worldwide supplier of automation technology and the performance leader in industrial training and education programs. For many years Festo has been providing impetus for factory automation and offers a wide product and service portfolio – from individual components to complex customized solutions and system. As a family-owned company, we act from a holistic perspective. We take responsibility for our actions globally and locally, we want to contribute to the quality of life and conservation of resources where we operate with new technologies, knowledge and education.

At Festo, we hire people who continuously live our five core Values:

• We are Ambitious
• We are Determined
• We are Visionary
• We Value Each Other
• We are Dependable

Join Festo Corp in revolutionizing the industrial automation and robotics industry with our innovative motion control and advanced mechatronic products and systems. If you are passionate about technology and thrive in a customer focused environment, we invite you to apply for one of our open roles for “Mechatronic Applications Engineer”. In this capacity you will work closely with our customers to solve their automation needs by designing and implement innovative, complex mechatronic solutions.

Summary: Application Engineer (MAE) plays a vital role in enhancing sales and market share for Festo in the North American Market. They specialize in Mechatronics, with a focus on Motion Control technology and the following products: Servo Drives and Motors, PLCs, HMIs, Motion Controllers, I/O Devices, Ball Screw and Toothed Belt Electromechanical Actuators and Cartesian Robots. The MAE will provide in-depth technical knowledge in the field of Mechatronics to the sales team, distribution partners, and customers during the pre-sales phase. They will consider commercial factors when proposing solutions and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure seamless coordination across departments. Additionally, the MAE will take the lead in post-sales technical support situations, working alongside the Technical Support and Service departments. Their objective is to guide customers from project inception to acceptance/operation, thereby closing the sales cycle and initiating new opportunities.

Key Accountabilities:

• Provide technical advice and support to sales, distribution partners, and customers regarding specific applications and production processes within industry segments.
• Create technical content for marketing activities, including application or video tutorials.
• Engage with external control groups in public platforms to stay updated on market trends.
• Develop and foster relationships with controls engineers at customer organizations.
• Maintain regular communication with other MAEs and Technical Support colleagues across North America (Canada, United States, and Mexico) to share product and application information.
• Onsite customer support for prototype startups in order to do “proof of concept”, good working knowledge of third-party PLC software, network configuration and device integration coverage including product sizing and selection.
• Establish and maintain a repository of common software applications and libraries to streamline the commissioning process for customer applications.
• Gather customer feedback on product and solution usage and relay it to Product Management for future development.
• Collaborate closely with the Technical Support department to provide timely solutions for technical support tickets.
• Evaluate the technical and commercial feasibility of proposals based on comprehensive technical and application knowledge.
• Discuss technical proposals, including controls and electromechanical products and solutions to optimize machine performance with a strong focus to increase component sales.
• Contribute to discussions on machine concepts to optimize the design of automated machinery, defining specifications and concepts.
• Provide support on matters related to norms and regulations.
• Identify and secure projects based on exceptional application, automation, and sector competence.
• Share knowledge with Business Drivers to promote the adoption of solutions.
• May be required to work additional hours beyond normal business hours to fulfill essential duties and responsibilities, including occasional short-duration efforts.
• Travel may be necessary for business purposes, such as skill development, training, customer visits, or company events. Travel arrangements will be determined by the company and may include visits to Corporate Headquarters or regional offices.
• Acts as the key technical interface between customer and all relevant technical departments within Festo during the pre-sales phase of specific applications for the industry segments, always in coordination with the Sales Engineer.
• Provides technical training and arranges knowledge transfer to the MAE and Business Development teams for the specific products/applications of the relevant industry segment.
• Works closely with Technical Support to address any outstanding customer technical issues.

Experience / Education Preferred:

• English Language, Spanish a plus.
• Ability to read, analyze and interpret moderate to complex documents.
• Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints.
• Ability to make effective speeches and present technical or complex topics to customers.
• Experience with IEC-3 programming languages. Familiarity with CODESYS, Rockwell Automation Studio , Siemens TIA Portal, Beckhoff TwinCAT 3 and/or Omron Sysmac Studio. Plus: Python, C++, C#, LabVIEW.
• Familiarity with EtherCAT, EtherNet/IP, PROFINET, Modbus TCP, TCP/IP, IO-Link
• Understanding of motion control concepts, PLCs and distributed I/O.
• Ability to size and design servo motor applications.
• Familiarity with pneumatics and pneumatic control logic.
• CAD knowledge.
• Bachelor’s Degree (BS in Mechatronics Engineering, Electrical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering) MBA preferred.
• 5-10+ years minimum experience in project managing, controls engineering, sales, and technical support in industrial automation.
• Experience in Festo a plus.
• Mechatronics, electromechanical or robotics engineering. Solid knowledge of Industrial Automation.
• Experience in sales and customer responsibility.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.

The salary range for this position is $,-$,.