Manager of Applications Engineering & EstimatingDepartment: Business Development
Reports To: CRO/CMOFLSA Status: ExemptLocation: Webster, NY (preferred) or Hudson, NH THE ROLEInvio Automation is seeking an experienced
Manager of Applications & Estimating to lead the technical evaluation, solution development, and estimating functions for custom automation opportunities. This individual will oversee a team of Applications Engineers and Estimators responsible for transforming customer requirements into innovative, cost-effective automation solutions that position Invio for profitable growth.
The ideal candidate has extensive experience in custom automation or special machine building, understands the complete machine lifecycle, and can balance technical excellence with commercial strategy. This leader will partner closely with Sales, Engineering, Project Management, Manufacturing, and Operations to ensure proposals are technically sound, competitively priced, and aligned with customer expectations and business objectives.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES - Lead, coach, and develop the Applications Engineering and Estimating teams across multiple locations.
- Establish standardized estimating processes, proposal development practices, and quotation quality standards.
- Partner with Sales to qualify opportunities, assess technical and commercial risk, and prioritize proposal efforts aligned with business objectives.
- Oversee technical reviews and interpretation of customer RFQs, specifications, compliance requirements, and Statements of Work.
- Manage the development of automation concepts, machine architectures, cycle time analyses, and manufacturing solutions.
- Ensure accurate labor, material, purchased equipment, and risk assessments are incorporated into project estimates.
- Drive consistency in proposal quality, costing methodology, and profitability across all business units.
- Lead technical, commercial, and proposal review meetings to ensure estimates, risks, and customer solutions are aligned prior to proposal submission.
- Partner with Sales during customer discovery meetings, technical presentations, and solution reviews.
- Collaborate with Engineering, Operations, Purchasing, and Project Management to validate technical assumptions and resource requirements.
- Review proposal margins, project risks, and commercial assumptions prior to customer submission.
- Ensure a seamless transfer of technical, commercial, and customer requirements from Sales and Applications to Project Management and Engineering following project award.
- Promote the use of standardized designs, estimating methodologies, and reusable engineering solutions to improve consistency, efficiency, and profitability.
- Serve as a safety leader by modeling safe behaviors, reinforcing safety expectations, and fostering a culture of continuous safety improvement.
- Continuously improve estimating tools, databases, labor standards, and cost models.
- Analyze win/loss data and estimate accuracy to improve forecasting and quoting performance.
- Drive continuous improvement by incorporating lessons learned from completed projects into estimating practices, proposal development, and engineering standards.
- Support strategic initiatives that expand Invio's capabilities within medical device, life sciences, industrial automation, and other targeted markets.
- Foster collaboration between the Webster and Hudson locations to leverage technical expertise and standardize best practices.
Leadership Responsibilities- Build and develop a high-performing technical team focused on innovation, collaboration, and customer success.
- Establish performance expectations, coaching plans, and career development opportunities.
- Promote cross-functional communication throughout the sales and project lifecycle.
- Champion continuous improvement initiatives within Applications Engineering and Estimating.
- Create scalable processes that support business growth while improving quote turnaround time and accuracy.
- Develop, monitor, and report on key performance indicators including quote turnaround time, estimate accuracy, proposal win rate, backlog quality, and gross margin performance.
Qualifications: - 7+ years of experience within custom automation, special machine building, systems integration, or industrial automation.
- 3+ years leading engineering, applications, estimating, or technical sales teams.
- Strong understanding of automated manufacturing systems, robotics, vision systems, controls, motion systems, and custom equipment design.
- Demonstrated experience developing technical proposals and project cost estimates for complex capital equipment.
- Strong business acumen with the ability to balance customer needs, technical requirements, project risk, and profitability.
- Excellent leadership, communication, and presentation skills.
- Experience working in a project-based manufacturing environment.
- Ability to travel between Webster, NY and Hudson, NH as business needs require.
Other Skills and Abilities:- Strong knowledge of custom automation systems, machine design, robotics, and manufacturing processes.
- Ability to develop innovative, cost-effective automation solutions from customer requirements.
- Proven leadership, coaching, and team development skills.
- Strong estimating, financial, and business acumen.
- Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
- Effective communication and collaboration across customers and cross-functional teams.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Experience driving process improvements and standardization.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and ERP/CRM systems.
- Willingness to travel between Invio locations and customer sites as needed.
EDUCATION- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering or a related technical field.
- Equivalent combination of technical education and significant custom automation experience will also be considered.
