Senior Application Engineer

Senior Application Engineer – Willimantic, CTWe are seeking a Senior Application Engineer to join our Industrial & Construction (I&C) team in Willimantic, CT. This role is ideal for a Senior Engineer who thrives in a dynamic, cross-functional environment and enjoys bringing solutions to the table for complex challenges that directly impact product performance, cost efficiency, and customer satisfaction.In this position, you will lead product development initiatives across multiple manufacturing plants, working closely with engineering, quality, sales, and external standards organizations. You will influence decisions across various groups, ensure alignment, and drive projects from concept through qualification and completion. This individual contributor role requires a proactive leadership mentality to bring forward strategic solutions to challenges, and the ability to see the big picture while driving teams toward the right technical and business outcomes.Role ResponsibilitiesLead development of industrial and building wire products, including low-voltage tray cable and medium-voltage cable.Partner with manufacturing teams across multiple plants to coordinate and support production trials, troubleshoot issues, and guide teams toward solutions.Communicate clearly to influence decisions and drive alignment across the business.Develop multiple solution paths when addressing challenges and recommend the most effective approach.Build strong relationships across engineering, manufacturing, quality, and sales to ensure follow-through and project success.Manage the full product development lifecycle: concept, design, trials, qualification, launch, and continuous improvement.Drive cost-reduction and design-to-cost initiatives through material, process, and product optimization.Collaborate with UL, CSA, and other standards bodies to ensure compliance and support new product approvals.Work closely with sales teams to support customer meetings, deliver technical presentations, and identify new development opportunities.Support quality teams in resolving customer complaints and implementing material or design improvements.Act as a project manager—tracking timelines, costs, risks, and trial outcomes while coordinating cross-functional activities.Support technology center teams on product conception, testing, and qualification activities.Travel up to 15% for plant trials, customer visits, and cross-functional collaboration, etc.Minimum QualificationsBachelor's degree in Engineering (Chemical, Electrical, Mechanical, Materials, or related discipline).5+ years of experience in manufacturing, product development, or product design.Direct experience in wire and cable or closely related industries.Demonstrated leadership experience influencing cross-functional teams as an individual contributor.Willingness and ability to travel up to 15%.Preferred QualificationsExtensive experience with industrial cable, building wire, or related I&C products, including coordination of plant trials across multiple manufacturing locations and collaboration with quality teams to resolve issues utilizing Six Sigma problem solving fundamentals or similar.Proven ability to lead cross-functional projects (engineering, manufacturing, quality, sales) and influence alignment remotely through strong relationship-building and communication skills.Demonstrated capability to manage ambiguity, create structure, guide teams toward clear decisions, and perform effectively in fast-paced, complex environments.Proactive and self-directed, able to identify actionable items, take initiative, and move work forward confidently without guidance from leadership.Experience supporting customer meetings, technical presentations, and sales initiatives, with the ability to convey technical concepts clearly to diverse audiences.Knowledge of UL, CSA, and other cable standards, with the ability to interpret and apply requirements to product design and qualification.Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including use of Six Sigma or similar methodologies, with the ability to anticipate issues and propose actionable solutions.Background in cost-efficiency or design-to-cost initiatives requiring understanding of customers, products, and standards.