Application Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

Position summary

The Application Engineer provides the technical expertise that helps MPD’s Inside Sales Desk prepare accurate quotations and helps customers configure MPD solutions from their drawings and specifications. The role translates project requirements into clear equipment selections, documented application decisions, and complete proposal packages, then supports a smooth transition from sales to engineering and project execution.

Working with customers, consulting engineers, electrical contractors, and internal teams, this individual balances technical fit, manufacturability, cost, and delivery requirements within MPD’s approved product portfolio.

Inside Sales Desk technical support

· Serve as the primary technical resource for the Inside Sales Desk on equipment selection, ratings, configurations, accessories, and application questions.

· Review incoming requests for quotation for technical completeness; identify missing information, drawing conflicts, and specification requirements before quotation.

· Prepare or validate equipment takeoffs, bills of material, configuration records, and technical proposal content so Inside Sales can quote a clearly defined scope.

· Answer technical questions promptly, prioritize requests with the sales team, and escalate nonstandard applications to the appropriate engineering or product authority.

· Train Inside Sales on product applications and maintain selection guides, standard configurations, technical FAQs, and quotation review checklists.

Customer requirements and solution configuration

· Interpret customer single-line diagrams, electrical plans, panel schedules, equipment schedules, specifications, and bid addenda to establish the required solution.

· Work directly with customers to clarify loads, voltage, current, available fault current, protection, metering, controls, enclosure requirements, space constraints, and installation interfaces.

· Configure equipment and integrated assemblies within MPD’s approved capabilities; evaluate interfaces among switchgear, switchboards, panelboards, transformers, transfer equipment, and modular assemblies, as applicable.

· Prepare preliminary single-line diagrams, layouts, configuration summaries, and specification compliance reviews; document assumptions, exclusions, deviations, and required customer approvals.

· Explain technical choices and propose practical alternatives that address performance, footprint, cost, constructability, and delivery needs.

Proposal quality and order handoff

· Coordinate with engineering, manufacturing, procurement, and suppliers to confirm configuration feasibility, component compatibility, and technical constraints before commitments are made.

· Provide technical input for costing and lead-time assessments; support Sales in resolving proposal questions and evaluating specification changes.

· Maintain revision control for customer documents, equipment selections, and proposal scope; identify the technical and commercial impact of changes.

· Prepare a complete order handoff containing the accepted configuration, bills of material, marked-up drawings, compliance review, approvals, and unresolved items with assigned owners.

· Support submittal clarifications and early execution questions related to quoted scope; share lessons learned to improve future configurations and quotation accuracy.

Required qualifications

· Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, electrical engineering technology, or a related technical discipline; equivalent relevant education and equipment application experience may be considered.

· Three or more years of relevant experience in electrical equipment applications, technical sales support, estimating, quotation engineering, or electrical design.

· Ability to independently interpret electrical drawings and specifications and translate them into equipment selections and clearly documented scope.

· Working knowledge of power distribution equipment, voltage and current ratings, interrupting and withstand ratings, grounding, protective devices, metering, and enclosure selection.

· Familiarity with applicable NEC, UL, ANSI, IEEE, and NEMA requirements and the ability to identify issues requiring specialist review.

· Strong customer communication, technical writing, organization, and problem-solving skills; ability to manage concurrent requests and deadlines.

· Proficiency with Excel, document and PDF markup tools, and experience using or learning CRM, ERP, and equipment configuration systems.

Preferred qualifications

Experience with low- and medium-voltage distribution equipment, data center or industrial projects, and integrated modular power assemblies. Familiarity with AutoCAD or similar drawing tools, equipment submittals, specification compliance matrices, and supplier coordination is preferred.

Measures of success

Timely technical responses and quotation support; accurate equipment selections and bills of material; clear treatment of specification deviations; complete order handoffs; reduced rework caused by quotation errors; and increased Inside Sales capability and customer confidence. Targets are set with the role’s manager.

Working relationships and technical authority

Partners daily with Inside Sales and collaborates with outside sales, engineering, product management, manufacturing, procurement, and project management. Owns application recommendations and technical scope documentation within approved rules. Routes custom designs, unresolved compliance questions, and changes affecting equipment ratings or certification to the authorized engineering team for approval.