Applications Engineering Manager

Be yourself at Protolabs 

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification.  We are an equal opportunity employer, and we are committed to building a diverse team that feels they are valued in the workplace.  So do you feel you do not meet every single requirement but still intrigued? We encourage you to still apply!  You can help make our company even better.  We do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, age, mental or physical ability, or any way you represent yourself.  We strongly believe diversity makes for more successful teams. 

Why Protolabs? 

We are the leaders in digital manufacturing.  We hire doers, makers, and creative thinkers who tackle our roles with an entrepreneurial spirit.  Our culture is centered around meaningful work that brings new and innovative products to market at unprecedented speeds.  We are a diverse team that comes from all walks of life and take pride in our team who is smart, genuine, humble, and passionate about what we do.  It’s our people who fuel our creativity and make our culture feel like home. 

Join our team as an Applications Engineering Manager!

This is a hybrid role based out of Maple Plain, MN or remote based out of CA, IL, MA, NC, NH, or TX.

The Applications Engineering Manager leads a team of Applications Engineers (AE’s) who are the pre-sale technical experts supporting Protolabs services. The Applications Engineering Manager will ensure all job functions of the team are performed accurately and in a timely manner while supporting Protolabs’ business philosophy. The Applications Engineering Manager will ensure the team is appropriately evaluating opportunities and collaborating with internal partners to guide customers to the most effective solution for fulfillment within Factory and Network capabilities.

• Manage the performance of the Applications Engineering team by establishing and monitoring key metrics
• Provide ongoing coaching and training required to perform the duties of the roles within the Applications Engineering team
• Work closely with other Applications Engineering Managers to ensure the roles, priorities, metrics, and goals of the team align with the needs of the business and company goals
• Collaborate with cross-functional leaders in Operations, Sales, and Customer Success to ensure a seamless end-to-end process that supports the needs of the organization and delights customers
• Work closely with GTM partners to understand strategies and implement initiatives to support target-account growth
• Partner with Sales leaders as an integral part of the pre-sales, customer acquisition team to help drive revenue, increase close rates, and provide an excellent customer experience
• Establish and monitor key metrics on Go to Market initiatives and adoption, adjust coverage model as needed to optimize results
• Establish and monitor KPIs and SLAs to ensure performance to company objectives
• Communicate revenue opportunities and risks to sales
• Coordinate appropriate personnel to provide technical expertise at customer meetings, tradeshows, and plant tours upon request
• Coordinate with Sales leaders and trainers to provide personnel resources for development and facilitation of technical training for the Sales team
• Support extensions to Protolabs’ services through collaboration and participation in development priorities
• Manage development and upkeep of training material for onboarding, service enhancements and new service launch content, and execute on the delivery plans for team training
• Work with functional teams to address quality, process, and business issues in the Protolabs manufacturing environment
• Provide opportunities for individual development and career growth through training and project participation
• Conduct regular 1:1’s with employees to provide regular feedback on performance and goals
• Foster a positive culture of teamwork and performance
• Resolve issues diplomatically in a logical, non-emotional manner
• Responsible for Business Readiness activities and goals for Applications Engineering team
• Support customer-centric philosophy in all team communications
• Adhere to all quality and safety standards within the department
• Adhere to all company policies and operational procedures
• Perform additional tasks as assigned

• Formal education preferred (BA/BS degree) with related work experience (Mechanical Engineering, Design Engineering, Manufacturing)
• Minimum 5 years experience as a high performing member of a technical, customer facing team in addition to 2-3 years of experience leading a technical team
• Proven ability to get positive results from a high-performance team.
• Proven experience leading through change
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Experience working with a CRM (e.g., Salesforce) and Microsoft Office Products
• Strong interpersonal skills, with an ability to build rapport and customer trust
• Demonstrated ability to use Q&A techniques to assess a customer’s situation to provide relevant solutions in the form of recommended 3D CAD model changes
• Ability to work in conjunction with a quota carrying sales team supporting the sales process
• Easily grasp the Protolabs manufacturing and business processes across the Factory and Network offering
• Solid understanding of mechanical design and the principles of designing for injection molding, 3D Printing technologies, sheet metal, and CNC machining
• Familiar with Quality Control inspection techniques and documentation methods
• Goal oriented and comfortable with meeting or exceeding clearly defined metrics
• Effective problem-solving skills.
• Strong sense of urgency, attention to detail and ability to be highly responsive.
• Self-motivated, positive attitude and able to work independently or in a team environment.
• Receptive to constructive feedback from supervisors, peers, and customers
• Ability to multi-task and prioritize work

• We offer a competitive salary and annual bonus opportunity
• In addition, we offer amazing benefits including but not limited to:
• Health Insurance: Traditional OR High Deductible plan
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Health Savings Account (including employer contributions)
• Dental and Vision
• Basic and Supplemental Life Insurance
• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability
• Paid caregiver leave
• You will receive 3 weeks of PTO, plus Holiday Pay and Volunteer Hours
• 401k with company match and immediate vest
• Employee Stock Purchase Program at a 15% discounted rate
• Matching grants through Protolabs foundation
• And More!

Proto Labs maintains ITAR-compliant operations in all of our United States based facilities.  Due to ITAR regulations, this role is only open to U.S. Citizens, lawful permanent residents (green card holders) or foreign nationals granted refugee or asylee status.  Individuals with temporary visas (e.g. E, F-1, H-1, H-2, L, B, J, TN or OPT) are not eligible for hire in this role.

Proto Labs, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Physical Demands:

While performing the essential duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use a computer keyboard, monitor and mouse, telephone and printer; reach with hands, and arms, talk, see and hear.  The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, stoop or kneel and must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

Work Environment:

Indoors (A/C); nonsmoking; the majority of this job function is performed in an office setting requiring normal safety precautions. However, there may be job duties that require the employee to spend time in the manufacturing areas exposed to machinery and noise; eye protection occasionally required. Occasionally works in outside weather conditions. Occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and in high, precarious places and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate.