{"schemaVersion":"jobsearcher.job.v1","id":"9dffddcd42860e7072fb9c09","url":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/9dffddcd42860e7072fb9c09","canonicalUrl":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/9dffddcd42860e7072fb9c09","title":"Project Applications Engineer","description":"Join our team as a Project Applications Engineer!\r\nThis is a fixed hybrid role (onsite Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday; remote Monday and Friday) in Maple Plain, MN.\r\nAs an Injection Molding Project Applications Engineer (PAE 2) at Protolabs, you'll sit at the intersection of engineering excellence, customer success, and advanced manufacturing. In this highly visible role, you'll guide customers through moderately complex injection molding projects—helping them bring ideas to life faster, smarter, and with confidence.\r\nYou'll leverage your technical expertise to evaluate customer-supplied 3D CAD models, RFQs, and drawings, ensuring designs are optimized for manufacturability, quality, and cost. Acting as a trusted technical advisor, you'll partner closely with sales and customers to communicate injection molding capabilities, process limitations, and best-practice recommendations throughout the sales and production lifecycle.\r\nBeyond initial design review, you'll collaborate with internal engineering, manufacturing, and quality teams to align Statements of Work, mitigate risk, and ensure process and quality requirements are met from project kickoff through manufacturing. Whether supporting virtual meetings or engaging face-to-face with customers, you'll serve as a technical consultant who builds trust, solves problems, and helps drive long-term customer relationships.\r\nThis role is ideal for an engineer who enjoys applying technical depth in a customer-facing environment, thrives in a fast-paced setting, and wants to make a tangible impact on how innovative products are manufactured. Occasional travel may be required.\r\nWhat you'll do:\r\nProvide presales technical support to sales teams and customers on high-value, non-standard projects to help secure large-revenue opportunities.\r\nServe as the primary technical liaison for customers from quoting through approved-sample delivery. Collaborate with customers and internal teams (manufacturing, quality, operations, sales) to support projects with non-standard requirements.\r\nTranslate customer technical requirements, timelines, design flexibility, and volume needs into optimal solutions within Protolabs factory and network capabilities.\r\nSet and manage internal and external expectations by providing presales guidance on manufacturability, quality, and technical tradeoffs.\r\nReview customer designs and documentation, identifying required changes to meet application and manufacturing requirements. Evaluate project risk by assessing customer requirements, aligning expectations, and ensuring fit with Protolabs manufacturing capabilities and offerings.\r\nDefine, manage, and control project scope, requirements, and changes throughout the project lifecycle.\r\nMonitor, document, and report project milestones and outcomes to ensure adherence to technical, quality, and schedule requirements.\r\nTrack and report project performance against KPIs such as close rate, revenue, on-time delivery, and non-conformances.\r\nEffectively apply work instructions and supporting documentation when evaluating customer quotes.\r\nMaintain in-depth knowledge of Protolabs products, processes, factory capabilities, and network offerings.\r\nProvide on-site factory support as needed to coordinate with manufacturing, quality, and operations teams. Partner with team leaders to assess data, workload, and capacity to support effective resource planning.\r\nDrive continuous improvement in work processes, project execution, and individual performance.\r\nPerform other duties as assigned.\r\nWhat it takes\r\nBS in Engineering and 6+ years of related work experience or 8+ years of directly related work experience in an engineering or manufacturing role.\r\n4+ years in a technical customer facing role is preferred.\r\n4+ years experience managing projects with high requirements and complexity.\r\nSubject Matter Expertise in Injection Molding.\r\nExperience with modeling/revising 3-D solid model in native CAD software.\r\nProficient in reading technical drawings and understanding requirements.\r\nStrong customer relationship skills with an ability to build rapport, gain trust, and deliver effective communication.\r\nExcellent interpersonal skills and ability to work well within a team and other internal departments.\r\nProven ability to collaborate with cross-functional partners to influence actions and decisions to meet project needs and provide a white-glove experience for customers.\r\nStrong negotiation skills and ability to successfully deal with escalations.\r\nHighly organized with ability to multi-task and prioritize in a fast-paced environment.\r\nStrong computer skills with MS Office applications and experience using a CRM software such as Salesforce.\r\nWhat's in it for you?\r\nWe offer a competitive salary and annual bonus opportunity.\r\nIn addition, we offer amazing benefits including but not limited to:\r\nHealth Insurance: Traditional or High Deductible plan.\r\nFlexible Spending Accounts.\r\nHealth Savings Account (including employer contributions).\r\nDental and Vision.\r\nBasic and Supplemental Life Insurance.\r\nShort-Term and Long-Term Disability.\r\nPaid caregiver leave.\r\nYou will receive at least 3 weeks of PTO + Wellness Hours + Holiday Pay + Volunteer Hours.\r\n401k with company match and immediate vesting.\r\nEmployee Stock Purchase Program at a 15% discounted rate.\r\nMatching grants through Protolabs foundation.\r\nAnd More!\r\n$82,000 - $109,300 a year\r\nProtolabs offers a competitive total rewards package, and compensation mix vary based on position, such as base wage, as well as other earnings including incentives and commissions. Actual pay offered will vary depending on multiple factors which may include, without limitation, job function, work experience, specialized skills, training, education, and certifications.\r\nProto 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.\r\nProto Labs, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.\r\nPhysical Demands\r\nWhile 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.\r\nWork Environment\r\nIndoors (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.\r\nJ-18808-Ljbffr","company":"Proto Labs","rawCompany":"proto labs","city":"Maple Plain","state":"MN","isRemote":false,"isActive":false,"createdAt":"2026-04-22T04:54:21.335Z","occupations":[{"code":"17-2199.00","title":"Engineers, All Other","slug":"engineers-all-other"},{"code":"17-2112.03","title":"Manufacturing Engineers","slug":"manufacturing-engineers"},{"code":"41-9031.00","title":"Sales Engineers","slug":"sales-engineers"}],"industries":[{"code":"333511","title":"Industrial Mold Manufacturing","slug":"industrial-mold-manufacturing"},{"code":"326199","title":"All Other Plastics Product Manufacturing","slug":"all-other-plastics-product-manufacturing"},{"code":"333514","title":"Special Die and Tool, Die Set, Jig, and Fixture Manufacturing","slug":"special-die-and-tool-die-set-jig-and-fixture-manufacturing"}],"jobPosting":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"JobPosting","title":"Project Applications Engineer","description":"Join our team as a Project Applications Engineer!\r\nThis is a fixed hybrid role (onsite Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday; remote Monday and Friday) in Maple Plain, MN.\r\nAs an Injection Molding Project Applications Engineer (PAE 2) at Protolabs, you'll sit at the intersection of engineering excellence, customer success, and advanced manufacturing. In this highly visible role, you'll guide customers through moderately complex injection molding projects—helping them bring ideas to life faster, smarter, and with confidence.\r\nYou'll leverage your technical expertise to evaluate customer-supplied 3D CAD models, RFQs, and drawings, ensuring designs are optimized for manufacturability, quality, and cost. Acting as a trusted technical advisor, you'll partner closely with sales and customers to communicate injection molding capabilities, process limitations, and best-practice recommendations throughout the sales and production lifecycle.\r\nBeyond initial design review, you'll collaborate with internal engineering, manufacturing, and quality teams to align Statements of Work, mitigate risk, and ensure process and quality requirements are met from project kickoff through manufacturing. Whether supporting virtual meetings or engaging face-to-face with customers, you'll serve as a technical consultant who builds trust, solves problems, and helps drive long-term customer relationships.\r\nThis role is ideal for an engineer who enjoys applying technical depth in a customer-facing environment, thrives in a fast-paced setting, and wants to make a tangible impact on how innovative products are manufactured. Occasional travel may be required.\r\nWhat you'll do:\r\nProvide presales technical support to sales teams and customers on high-value, non-standard projects to help secure large-revenue opportunities.\r\nServe as the primary technical liaison for customers from quoting through approved-sample delivery. Collaborate with customers and internal teams (manufacturing, quality, operations, sales) to support projects with non-standard requirements.\r\nTranslate customer technical requirements, timelines, design flexibility, and volume needs into optimal solutions within Protolabs factory and network capabilities.\r\nSet and manage internal and external expectations by providing presales guidance on manufacturability, quality, and technical tradeoffs.\r\nReview customer designs and documentation, identifying required changes to meet application and manufacturing requirements. Evaluate project risk by assessing customer requirements, aligning expectations, and ensuring fit with Protolabs manufacturing capabilities and offerings.\r\nDefine, manage, and control project scope, requirements, and changes throughout the project lifecycle.\r\nMonitor, document, and report project milestones and outcomes to ensure adherence to technical, quality, and schedule requirements.\r\nTrack and report project performance against KPIs such as close rate, revenue, on-time delivery, and non-conformances.\r\nEffectively apply work instructions and supporting documentation when evaluating customer quotes.\r\nMaintain in-depth knowledge of Protolabs products, processes, factory capabilities, and network offerings.\r\nProvide on-site factory support as needed to coordinate with manufacturing, quality, and operations teams. Partner with team leaders to assess data, workload, and capacity to support effective resource planning.\r\nDrive continuous improvement in work processes, project execution, and individual performance.\r\nPerform other duties as assigned.\r\nWhat it takes\r\nBS in Engineering and 6+ years of related work experience or 8+ years of directly related work experience in an engineering or manufacturing role.\r\n4+ years in a technical customer facing role is preferred.\r\n4+ years experience managing projects with high requirements and complexity.\r\nSubject Matter Expertise in Injection Molding.\r\nExperience with modeling/revising 3-D solid model in native CAD software.\r\nProficient in reading technical drawings and understanding requirements.\r\nStrong customer relationship skills with an ability to build rapport, gain trust, and deliver effective communication.\r\nExcellent interpersonal skills and ability to work well within a team and other internal departments.\r\nProven ability to collaborate with cross-functional partners to influence actions and decisions to meet project needs and provide a white-glove experience for customers.\r\nStrong negotiation skills and ability to successfully deal with escalations.\r\nHighly organized with ability to multi-task and prioritize in a fast-paced environment.\r\nStrong computer skills with MS Office applications and experience using a CRM software such as Salesforce.\r\nWhat's in it for you?\r\nWe offer a competitive salary and annual bonus opportunity.\r\nIn addition, we offer amazing benefits including but not limited to:\r\nHealth Insurance: Traditional or High Deductible plan.\r\nFlexible Spending Accounts.\r\nHealth Savings Account (including employer contributions).\r\nDental and Vision.\r\nBasic and Supplemental Life Insurance.\r\nShort-Term and Long-Term Disability.\r\nPaid caregiver leave.\r\nYou will receive at least 3 weeks of PTO + Wellness Hours + Holiday Pay + Volunteer Hours.\r\n401k with company match and immediate vesting.\r\nEmployee Stock Purchase Program at a 15% discounted rate.\r\nMatching grants through Protolabs foundation.\r\nAnd More!\r\n$82,000 - $109,300 a year\r\nProtolabs offers a competitive total rewards package, and compensation mix vary based on position, such as base wage, as well as other earnings including incentives and commissions. Actual pay offered will vary depending on multiple factors which may include, without limitation, job function, work experience, specialized skills, training, education, and certifications.\r\nProto 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.\r\nProto Labs, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.\r\nPhysical Demands\r\nWhile 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.\r\nWork Environment\r\nIndoors (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.\r\nJ-18808-Ljbffr","datePosted":"2026-04-22T04:54:21.335Z","dateModified":"2026-04-22T04:54:21.335Z","hiringOrganization":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Proto Labs","sameAs":"https://jobsearcher.com"},"jobLocation":{"@type":"Place","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","addressLocality":"Maple Plain","addressRegion":"MN","addressCountry":"US"}},"identifier":{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"JobSearcher","value":"9dffddcd42860e7072fb9c09"},"url":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/9dffddcd42860e7072fb9c09"}}