Application Engineer

Job Purpose:

The Application Engineer is a customer-facing technical resource responsible for the design, validation, and implementation of engineered solutions. This role bridges the gap between customer requirements and iwis’s manufacturing capabilities—ensuring that custom quotes, technical drawings, and product specifications accurately reflect the customer’s needs and are optimized for shop floor execution. The Application Engineer works in close coordination with the Manufacturing Engineering group to ensure seamless hand-offs from design to production.

Duties/Responsibilities:

Technical Solution Design & Sales Support:

• Serve as the primary technical point of contact for customers; interpret complex requirements and translate them into actionable engineering specifications.
• Collaborate with the Sales team to provide technical validation for quotes, ensuring that proposed solutions are both functional for the customer and manufacturable for the shop.
• Provide real-time technical consultation to customers on material selection, component substitutions, and design-for-manufacturability (DFM).
• Own the technical accuracy of customer-facing documentation, including CAD models, proposal drawings, and technical data sheets.

BOM and Routing Development (Pre-Production):

• Create and own the initial BOM and routing structures for new customer projects; define operation sequences and tooling requirements based on project scope.
• Coordinate with Manufacturing Engineering to ensure that new designs align with current shop floor reality and equipment capabilities.
• Review customer-supplied prints and GD&T for clarity; resolve discrepancies before releasing documentation to the production floor.
• Maintain the "Master Part" database to ensure recurring orders utilize the most current and efficient technical data.

ECN and Project Management:

• Initiate Engineering Change Notices (ECNs) for design improvements, customer-driven revisions, or material updates.
• Manage the technical lifecycle of a project from initial inquiry through first-article approval.
• Liaise between the customer and the quality department to resolve technical roadblocks during the validation phase.
• Review and sign off on all technical changes to ensure they meet both customer performance standards and company quality procedures.

Continuous Improvement & Market Feedback:

• Analyze field performance data and customer feedback to identify opportunities for product improvements or cost-reduction initiatives.
• Support the sales team in identifying new application opportunities for existing iwis technologies.
• Participate in post-project "look-back" meetings with Manufacturing Engineering to improve the accuracy of future quotes and routings.

Customer Documentation & Training:

• Author and maintain technical application notes, installation guides, and product manuals.
• Conduct technical presentations or training sessions for customers to ensure proper product integration and use.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering Technology, or a related technical discipline.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in an application engineering, sales engineering, or design-for-manufacturing role.
• Advanced proficiency in reading and interpreting engineering drawings, GD&T, and complex customer specifications.
• Demonstrated experience building and managing ERP-based BOMs and routings (BOOs).
• Strong CAD/CAM proficiency (SolidWorks, AutoCAD, or similar).
• Exceptional communication skills; must be comfortable presenting technical data to customers, executives, and shop floor personnel.
• Experience in a low-volume, high-mix or job shop manufacturing environment preferred.
• Familiarity with ECN processes and formal change control.
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.