Application Engineer ∞ (Maplewood, MN)

Job Description:

Job Title

Application Engineering Specialist, Paint Shop Trainer

Collaborate with Innovative 3Mers Around the World

Choosing where to start and grow your career has a major impact on your professional and personal life, so it’s equally important you know that the company that you choose to work at, and its leaders, will support and guide you. With a diversity of people, global locations, technologies and products, 3M is a place where you can collaborate with other curious, creative 3Mers.

This position provides an opportunity to transition from other private, public, government or military experience to a 3M career.

The Impact You’ll Make in this Role

The role of Application Engineering Specialist will have a primary focus providing technical expertise and training for 3M’s portfolios and processes within the Automotive Aftermarket Paint Shop.  This includes masking, paint preparation, spray equipment, and paint finishing.  The position involves extensive internal and external training of customers through hands-on demonstrations at our Skills Development Center and beyond.  It will also involve creating new training material, videos, and multi-day courses.  You will consult with new product teams and the creation of applications and support materials that provide practical solutions for our customer base.  Knowledge and experience with paint companies, paint application, coatings and spray equipment used the Collision Repair (Automotive), Heavy Duty Truck Repair (Collision), Marine & General Industrial including either manufacturing or MRO (Maintenance Repair Operations) is a requirement for this very specific customer focused position.

As an Application Engineer/Trainer, you will have the opportunity to tap into your curiosity and collaborate with some of the most innovative and diverse people around the world. Here, you will make an impact by:

• Relationship management with prioritized large customers

• Hands-on product/process demonstrations for large groups (internal and external training)

• Value proposition development

• Creating training and education content through eLearning, videos, and in-person classes

• Partner with Sales & Marketing to identify top opportunities for 3M conversion

• Field testing and new product evaluations

• Customer solution development – process & products

• Testing & benchmarking the competitive landscape of paint application, masking, and paint finishing portfolios

• Developing technical communication

• Creating and enhancing presentations (PowerPoint and other computer skills)

• Collecting and analyzing voice of customer data

• Customer process mapping & solution development

• Other duties as assigned

Your Skills and Expertise 

To set you up for success in this role from day one, 3M requires (at a minimum) the following qualifications:

• Technical diploma and/or Trade school level education or higher (completed and verified prior to start) from an accredited institution.

• Minimum of five (5) years collision repair or other industrial / paint experience in a private, public, government or military environment (Manufacturing or Maintenance Repair Operations)

Additional qualifications that could help you succeed even further in this role include:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in a science or engineering discipline from an accredited university

• Technical diploma in automotive painting

• Ten (10) years previous experience in the collision repair or other industrial/paint application, paint equipment experience.

• Certification in Auto Collision, Autobody, or Paint Refinish

• Previous experience in application engineering/technical service, technical training and/or technical sales

• Efficiently analyze, problem solve and implement solutions

• Cognitive skills to generate new ideas and alternative solutions

• Possess strong & effective "hands-on" demonstration techniques

• Bilingual a plus

Work location: St. Paul, MN

• Hybrid Eligible (Job Duties allow for some remote work but require travel to St. Paul, MN when we have training class at our Skills Development Center 3-4 days/week.

Travel: May include up to 25% Domestic

Relocation Assistance: Not Authorized

Must be legally authorized to work in country of employment without sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H1B status).

Supporting Your Well-being 

3M offers many programs to help you live your best life – both physically and financially. To ensure competitive pay and benefits, 3M regularly benchmarks with other companies that are comparable in size and scope. 

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Applicable to US Applicants Only:The expected compensation range for this position is $137,439 - $167,981, which includes base pay plus variable incentive pay, if eligible. This range represents a good faith estimate for this position. The specific compensation offered to a candidate may vary based on factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s relevant knowledge, training, skills, work location, and/or experience. In addition, this position may be eligible for a range of benefits (e.g., Medical, Dental & Vision, Health Savings Accounts, Health Care & Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts, Disability Benefits, Life Insurance, Voluntary Benefits, Paid Absences and Retirement Benefits, etc.). Additional information is available at: https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/careers-us/working-at-3m/benefits/.

Good Faith Posting Date Range 12/18/2024 To 01/17/2025 Or until filled

Learn more about 3M’s creative solutions to the world’s problems at www.3M.com or on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn @3M.

Responsibilities of this position include that corporate policies, procedures and security standards are complied with while performing assigned duties.

Pay & Benefits Overview: https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/careers-us/working-at-3m/benefits/

3M is an equal opportunity employer.  3M  will not discriminate against any applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status.

Please note: your application may not be considered if you do not provide your education and work history, either by: 1) uploading a resume, or 2) entering the information into the application fields directly.

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