Strategic Solutions Engineer - CNC - San Francisco, CA

Impact In This Role

Misumi Americas is seeking a Strategic Solutions Engineer - CNC to join our solution engineering team focused on strategic, high-complexity, production-level customer programs. This role sits at the intersection of engineering, manufacturing, customer advisory, and commercial execution, supporting customers as they scale from prototype into production.

The ideal candidate brings deep experience in CNC machining, casting, CAD, (SolidWorks), GD&T, and DFM skills, strong technical communication skills, and the ability to guide customers through DFM/DFA, production readiness, operational/program support, cost optimization, and mechanical assembly considerations. This role is mainly customer-facing and requires comfort operating in ambiguous, high-stakes environments.

What You’ll Be Doing

Customer & Program/Production Support

• Serve as a trusted technical advisor/guide for strategic customers with complex CNC manufacturing needs.
• Lead technical scoping discussions, translating customer requirements into manufacturable, scalable solutions.
• Some level of support for customers through prototype → production transitions, anticipating manufacturing risks early.

Manufacturing & DFM Expertise

• Perform detailed DFM/DFA reviews for CNC-machined components.
• Evaluate part geometry, tolerances, GD&T, material selection, and finish requirements for manufacturability and cost.
• Provide cost optimization recommendations based on process selection, feature simplification, and volume scaling.
• Support efforts with manufacturing-informed input on feasibility, risk, and lead time.

Assembly & System-Level Understanding/Support

• Evaluate and guide on mechanical assemblies, including:
  • Part-to-part fit, stack-ups, and tolerance interactions
  • Fastener selection, joint design, and access for assembly
  • Assembly sequencing and installation considerations
• Help customers identify risks related to assembly, serviceability, and field installation.
• Provide feedback that improves downstream assembly efficiency and reduces rework.

Technical Execution

• Review and interpret engineering drawings with strong command of GD&T.
• Perform CAD work, including:
  • Design updates for manufacturability
  • Parametric 3D Modeling & Visualization
  • Detailed Documentation & Drafting with GD&T
  • Optimizing CAD — CNC to Casting and 3DP to IM
  • Reverse engineering
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Sales, Operations, Quality, and LoB teams.

Quality & Compliance Awareness

• Apply working knowledge of ISO 9001 and AS9100D requirements in customer discussions and internal workflows.
• Identify quality risks early and ensure proper requirements definition (“quality in, quality out”).

Desired Traits

• 6+ years of relevant experience in manufacturing roles such as CNC (candidates with deeper experience are strongly encouraged to apply).
• Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering or related field, or equivalent demonstrated hands-on experience.
• Strong expertise in CNC machining processes (milling, turning, multi-axis) and Casting.
• Must have DFM, cost optimization, and manufacturing trade-off fluency.
• Hands-on experience in production-scale manufacturing programs.
• Proven ability to interpret and apply engineering drawings and GD&T.
• Solid understanding of mechanical assemblies and installation considerations.
• Experience supporting customer-facing technical discussions.
• Familiarity with ISO 9001 and AS9100D compliance environments.
• Willingness and ability to travel 30–40%.
• Proficiency with Google Workspace and/or Microsoft Office.
• Strong verbal, written, and digital communication skills.
• SolidWorks CAD proficiency.
• Willingness to perform hands-on CAD work and reverse engineering as needed.
• Willingness to support the Marketing team with technical publications, seminars, university lectures, and other related activities as needed.

Nice-to-Have Qualifications

• Experience with Casting, Molding (IM) and/or Additive Manufacturing (3DP).
• Prior experience working with external suppliers or contract manufacturers.
• Leverage AI tools (e.g., Claude and other AI assistants) to accelerate DFM analysis, documentation, customer-facing content creation, and day-to-day engineering workflows.
• Experience integrating AI/LLM tools into engineering or customer-facing workflows.

Physical Demands

• Standard Office & Remote Work: Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer for remote customer consultations.
• Onsite Environments: Must be able to walk and stand on manufacturing floors and trade show environments for extended periods. Must be able to safely navigate industrial areas around heavy machinery and wear required PPE (safety glasses, safety shoes, hearing protection).
• Lifting & Handling: Ability to occasionally lift, move, and position mechanical parts, prototypes, or trade show materials weighing up to 30 lbs.

Perks and Benefits

• Competitive medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401K plan
• Parental leave programs
• Paid volunteer days
• And much, much more!

Salary Range: $125,000 to $142,000 per year, based upon experience

Interested in learning more? We look forward to hearing from you soon.