Manager of Applications & Estimation Join Our Applications & Estimating Team CHL Systems is looking for a technical leader to guide our Applications Engineering and Estimating team and help turn customer challenges into practical engineered solutions. Our work includes custom automation, material handling, and industrial equipment systems. Reporting to the Director of Sales & Marketing, you’ll oversee customer opportunity evaluations, conceptual system development, project estimates, and technical proposals. You’ll work closely with Sales, Engineering, Manufacturing, and Project Management to ensure proposed solutions meet customer needs and can be delivered successfully. This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who enjoys developing people while staying involved in complex technical work. You’ll help customers define their requirements, guide equipment and system decisions, and improve how the team evaluates, estimates, and documents opportunities. Why Join CHL Systems? - Competitive compensation with growth opportunities
- Weekly pay
- Medical, dental, vision, PTO, paid holidays, and 401(k) with company match
- Stable, family-owned manufacturing company with 65+ years in business
- Hands-on work with complex, custom-engineered equipment.
- Opportunity to lead a technical team and influence customer solutions from initial concept through project award.
What You’ll Do - Lead, coach, and develop the Applications Engineering and Estimating team, including work assignments, performance reviews, and employee development.
- Meet with customers and evaluate their operations to understand requirements, identify constraints, and recommend technical approaches.
- Develop and review conceptual layouts, equipment selections, cost estimates, quotations, and technical proposals.
- Personally support complex applications engineering and strategic customer opportunities.
- Review project scope, costs, assumptions, and exclusions to ensure proposals are technically sound, competitively priced, and aligned with profitability goals.
- Manage the quotation pipeline and departmental workload to deliver accurate, complete proposals on time.
- Improve estimating tools, proposal standards, and processes to strengthen accuracy, efficiency, and customer responsiveness.
- Partner with internal teams and equipment suppliers to evaluate solutions and ensure awarded projects transition into engineering and execution with clear scope and documentation.
Experience and Qualifications - At least 5 years of experience in applications engineering, estimating, industrial equipment, system integration, or a related technical role.
- At least 3 years of leadership or team management experience.
- Experience evaluating industrial processes and developing conceptual equipment or system solutions.
- Experience developing project cost estimates and technical proposals, including equipment, materials, labor, vendor pricing, and contingency.
- Ability to interpret engineering drawings, process flow diagrams, equipment specifications, and system layouts.
- Working knowledge of AutoCAD or equivalent layout software and proficiency with Microsoft Office.
- Strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and work effectively with customers and technical teams.
Preferred - Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Engineering Technology, Industrial Technology, Business, or a related field; equivalent experience considered.
- Experience with engineered-to-order manufacturing, custom machinery, automation, packaging systems, material handling, conveyance, or process equipment.
- Experience with food and beverage manufacturing, sanitary equipment design, hygienic processing, or wash-down environments.
Candidates with strong applications engineering experience in other engineered-to-order industries are encouraged to apply. Work Environment and Travel - Hybrid position based at CHL’s Souderton, Pennsylvania location.
- Work takes place in professional office, engineering, and industrial manufacturing environments.
- Approximately 15–25% travel to customer sites and manufacturing facilities throughout North America is expected.
About CHL Systems For more than 65 years, CHL Systems has been a trusted leader in designing and manufacturing custom automation and material handling solutions. Serving the food, pharmaceutical, and general manufacturing industries, we combine innovation, craftsmanship, and a family-oriented culture to deliver high-quality systems that keep our customers’ operations moving. Equal Opportunity Employer (M/F/D/V) CHL Systems is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status.
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