Application Engineer - Automation & Factory Solutions - Germantown, WI

Overview

GCG is currently seeking an Application Engineer to join our Automation & Factory Solutions division in the Germantown, Wisconsin area. This role supports a key region and will provide technical, pre-sales, and post-sales support for automation controls and related technologies.

As our Application Engineer, you will work closely with the local sales team, customers, and engineering partners to specify components, develop bills of materials, and deliver hands-on support across a variety of industrial projects. You’ll also participate in product training, lead customer demonstrations, and collaborate with the broader technical team to drive automation solutions in a highly collaborative environment.

What you’ll do

• Provide technical and application support in both pre- and post-sale efforts for a broad range of industrial automation technologies, including:
  • PLCs, HMIs, drives, motion control, robotics, IO systems, and fluid power components
• Collaborate with the sales team to assist in specifying the right components for projects and create accurate bills of materials
• Deliver technical presentations and product demonstrations to customers in coordination with the sales team
• Lead or assist with customer training sessions on automation and electrical control systems
• Utilize vendor software tools to size, select, and quote appropriate automation components
• Provide troubleshooting support and assist customers with product integration and commissioning
• Work cross-functionally with customer service, operations, and product teams to ensure seamless service delivery
• Maintain accurate activity records in CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) to track sales support and project engagement

 

What you’ll bring

Education

• Required: Associate’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Electrical Engineering Technology, or equivalent technical experience
• Preferred: Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Mechanical, or Industrial Engineering

 

Experience

• Required: 3–4 years of industry experience in automation, electrical distribution, or control systems
• Preferred: 5+ years of experience working with automation technologies, distributors, or OEMs

 

Technical Skills

• Proficiency with PLC platforms, especially Siemens (certification highly preferred or required within 6 months)
• Knowledge of motion control, sensors, safety switches, IO systems, and fluid power
• Familiarity with sizing tools, vendor software platforms, and component integration
• Understanding of electrical circuit design and industrial automation architecture

 

Other Skills

• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work with cross-functional sales and technical teams
• Comfortable with technical presentations and customer-facing communication
• Proficient in MS Office Suite and CRM tools
• Self-motivated, detail-oriented, and committed to continuous learning
• Clean driving record to facilitate travel to customer sites as needed (approximately 20% travel)

 

What we offer

• Competitive annual salary
• Excellent health, vision, dental, short and long-term disability, and life insurance benefits
• PTO plan with company paid holidays (7)
• 401K with employer contribution
• An employee-centric company that values and truly appreciates our most important asset: You!

 

About GCG AFS

GCG Automation & Factory Solutions is dedicated to advancing the growth of automation and factory solutions across key verticals in North America. With a comprehensive product and service offering that spans the entire automation value chain, our customers trust us as a reliable partner to meet their diverse needs. Our strength lies in our deep technical expertise and specialized knowledge of the products we offer. This enables us to support customers in deploying and delivering high-quality, efficient solutions tailored to their specific requirements. Our commitment to providing an exceptional customer experience—marked by responsiveness, reliability, and personalized service—sets us apart as the supplier of choice in the industry.

GCG is an equal opportunity employer.  We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected