Senior Application Engineer

The Sr. Mechanical Application Engineer is responsible for owning the technical development of product (specialty high-performance fasteners) applications. This includes reviewing customer requirements, performing analysis, creating and improving technical drawings, and delivering engineered solutions from initial inquiry through production release.

This role applies advanced mechanical engineering principles to optimize performance, reliability, manufacturability, and cost effectiveness while serving as the primary engineering resource for customer applications. Working closely with both technical and non-technical stakeholders, the Sr. Mechanical Application Engineer translates application requirements into practical solutions, provides expert technical guidance, and identifies opportunities to improve customer design and mechanical interfaces.

Essential Responsibilities

• Lead the engineering design and validation of products for both new product introductions and enhancements to existing applications, ensuring mechanical performance and manufacturability.
• Develop, implement, and maintain advanced engineering strategies to improve manufacturing processes with a focus on efficiency, material utilization, and reduced waste.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Quality and Production to evaluate design feasibility, define product specifications, and ensure alignment with customer and manufacturing requirements.
• Interface directly with customers on an as needed basis to understand application requirements and provide engineering support.
• Maintain comprehensive technical documentation, including CAD models, process specifications, work instructions, and validation protocols.
• Conduct structured root cause analyses (RCA) and implement corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) to resolve product and process non-conformities.
• Ensure compliance with internal Quality Management System (QMS) requirements and external regulatory standards through rigorous process control and documentation.
• Execute and document process validations, capability studies, and risk assessments (e.g., PFMEA) to support new product introduction and process changes.
• Oversee the transition of prototypes to full-scale production, ensuring design intent and performance criteria are maintained throughout the product lifecycle.
• Stay informed about emerging technologies, materials, and industry trends relevant to mechanical fastening systems and precision metal components.

• Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from an ABET accredited college or university required.
• Minimum 10 to 15 years of progressive mechanical engineering experience, with direct responsibility for design, application, &/or product development.
• Working knowledge of ball bearings, sliding journals, basic machine design principles, and mechanical interface applications.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze customer requirements and translate technical specs input into practical, application-specific engineering recommendations.
• Experience interacting directly with customers, including both technical and non-technical stakeholders, to understand application needs, constraints, and performance expectations.
• Familiarity with machining operations used to produce metallic components and the manufacturing considerations that affect design feasibility and product performance.
• Working knowledge of ISO 9001 and IATF 16949 quality management system requirements.
• Working knowledge of SolidWorks or comparable CAD software.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Outlook, Word, and Excel.

Qualities for Success

• Technically astute, with strong mechanical intuition and the ability to quickly understand complex applications, product behavior, and customer-specific design constraints.
• Strong follow-through, ownership, and task discipline, with the ability to carry projects from initial inquiry through production release with limited repeated direction.
• Self-directed and capable of learning independently from internal documentation, product literature, historical project files, technical notes, and customer meetings.
• Able to translate technical concepts for both technical and non-technical audiences, adjusting communication style for customers, sales, and operations.
• Comfortable operating as the primary engineering resource, exercising sound judgment and wearing multiple hats across design, quality, process, and documentation.
• Disciplined in structured problem-solving, approaching RCA, CAPA, PFMEA, and validation work with rigor rather than treating documentation as an afterthought.
• Grounded in manufacturing principles, with practical instinct for how design decisions affect machinability, material utilization, and production feasibility.
• Collaborative team player who works effectively with engineering, sales, operations, quality, and customer contacts.
• Committed to continuous learning and deep product-line knowledge, including tolerance ring function, performance, and application across customer use cases.

Base Salary : $125-130K . Total comp ~ $140K

Excellent benefits package includes medical/PTO

Pay: $125,000.00 - $140,000.00 per year, * 401(k)

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance