Strategic Solutions Engineer - CNC - San Francisco, CA

<div class="content-intro"><p><strong>About MISUMI Americas</strong></p>
<p>MISUMI Americas, a division of MISUMI Group, is a leading provider of standard, configurable, and custom manufacturing solutions. By integrating a vast catalog of components with a world-class digital manufacturing platform, MISUMI Americas empowers engineers and procurement teams to accelerate innovation across the entire product lifecycle. With operations in the San Francisco Bay Area and Chicago, the company serves as a vital partner for the most innovative companies in the Americas.</p></div><h3><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;">Impact In This Role</span></h3>
<p><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">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.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">The ideal candidate brings deep experience in CNC machining, casting, CAD, (SolidWorks), GD&T, and DFM skills,<strong> </strong>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.</span></p>
<h3><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">What You’ll Be Doing</span></h3>
<p><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><strong>Customer & Program/Production Support</strong></span></p>
<ul>
<li style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Serve as a trusted technical advisor/guide for strategic customers with complex CNC manufacturing needs.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Lead technical scoping discussions, translating customer requirements into manufacturable, scalable solutions.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Some level of support for customers through prototype → production transitions, anticipating manufacturing risks early.</span></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><strong>Manufacturing & DFM Expertise</strong></span></p>
<ul>
<li style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Perform detailed DFM/DFA reviews for CNC-machined components.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Evaluate part geometry, tolerances, GD&T, material selection, and finish requirements for manufacturability and cost.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Provide cost optimization recommendations based on process selection, feature simplification, and volume scaling.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Support efforts with manufacturing-informed input on feasibility, risk, and lead time.</span></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><strong>Assembly & System-Level Understanding/Support</strong></span></p>
<ul>
<li style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Evaluate and guide on mechanical assemblies, including:</span></li>
<ul>
<li style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Part-to-part fit, stack-ups, and tolerance interactions</span></li>
<li style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Fastener selection, joint design, and access for assembly</span></li>
<li style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Assembly sequencing and installation considerations</span></li>
</ul>
<li style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Help customers identify risks related to assembly, serviceability, and field installation.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Provide feedback that improves downstream assembly efficiency and reduces rework.</span></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><strong>Technical Execution</strong></span></p>
<ul>
<li style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Review and interpret engineering drawings with strong command of GD&T.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Perform CAD work, including:</span></li>
<ul>
<li style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Design updates for manufacturability</span></li>
<li style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Parametric 3D Modeling & Visualization</span></li>
<li style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Detailed Documentation & Drafting with GD&T</span></li>
<li style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Optimizing CAD — CNC to Casting and 3DP to IM</span></li>
<li style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Reverse engineering</span></li>
</ul>
<li style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Collaborate cross-functionally with Sales, Operations, Quality, and LoB teams.</span></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><strong>Quality & Compliance Awareness</strong></span></p>
<ul>
<li style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Apply working knowledge of ISO 9001 and AS9100D requirements in customer discussions and internal workflows.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Identify quality risks early and ensure proper requirements definition (“quality in, quality out”).</span></li>
</ul>
<h3><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;">Desired Traits</span></h3>
<ul>
<li style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">6+ years of relevant experience in manufacturing roles such as CNC (candidates with deeper experience are strongly encouraged to apply).</span></li>
<li style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering or related field, or equivalent demonstrated hands-on experience.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Strong expertise in CNC machining processes (milling, turning, multi-axis) and Casting, .</span></li>
<li style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Must have DFM, cost optimization, and manufacturing trade-off fluency.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Hands-on experience in production-scale manufacturing programs.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Proven ability to interpret and apply engineering drawings and GD&T.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Solid understanding of mechanical assemblies and installation considerations.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Experience supporting customer-facing technical discussions.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Familiarity with ISO 9001 and AS9100D compliance environments.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Willingness and ability to travel 30–40%.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Proficiency with Google Workspace and/or Microsoft Office.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Strong verbal, written, and digital communication skills.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">SolidWorks CAD proficiency.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Willingness to perform hands-on CAD work and reverse engineering as needed.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Willingness to support the Marketing team with technical publications, seminars, university lectures, and other related activities as needed.</span></li>
</ul>
<h3><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Nice-to-Have Qualifications</span></h3>
<ul>
<li style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Experience with Casting,  Molding (IM) and/or Additive Manufacturing (3DP).</span></li>
<li style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Prior experience working with external suppliers or contract manufacturers.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">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.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Experience integrating AI/LLM tools into engineering or customer-facing workflows.</span></li>
</ul>
<h3><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Physical Demands</span></h3>
<p><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.</span></p>
<ul>
<li style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Standard Office & Remote Work: Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer for remote customer consultations.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">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).</span></li>
<li style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Lifting & Handling: Ability to occasionally lift, move, and position mechanical parts, prototypes, or trade show materials weighing up to 30 lbs.</span></li>
</ul>
<h3><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;">Perks and Benefits</span></h3>
<ul>
<li style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Competitive medical, dental, and vision insurance</span></li>
<li style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">401K plan</span></li>
<li style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Parental leave programs </span></li>
<li style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Paid volunteer days</span></li>
<li style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">And much, much more!</span></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><strong>Salary Range: $125,000 to $142,000 per year, based upon experience</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><strong>Interested in learning more?  We look forward to hearing from you soon.</strong></span></p><div class="content-conclusion"><p>We’re actively seeking teammates who:</p>
<ul>
<li>Bring diverse perspectives and experience to our culture and company. </li>
<li>Excel at being part of a strong, empathetic team.</li>
<li>Thrive in an environment emphasizing respect, honesty, collaboration, and growth.</li>
<li>Have an ‘always learning’ mindset that celebrates learning, not just wins. </li>
<li>Help us continue to build a world-class organization that values the contributions of all of our teammates</li>
</ul>
<p>We encourage applications from members of underrepresented groups, including but not limited to women, members of the LGBTQ community, people of color, people with disabilities, and veterans.</p></div>