Application Design Engineer

The Application Design Engineer serves as the technical liaison between customers, sales, quality, and manufacturing. This role is responsible for gathering customer application requirements, translating them into detailed parts and tooling designs, and developing and testing prototypes to ensure designs are manufacturable, and satisfy the customer's application requirements. This includes iterating through design-for-manufacturability (DFM) validation and using CAD tools to refine geometry, tolerances, and material selection ahead of production.

The role requires knowledge of CNC machining, engineered plastics, dimensional tolerancing, testing methods, and quality requirements. The Applications Design Engineer works with customers and internal teams to develop practical design, material, and manufacturing solutions.

• Review customer application requirements (specs, drawings, use-case data) and translate them into buildable prototype designs
• Build, assemble, or configure prototypes based on customer and internal engineering specifications
• Design and execute test plans to validate prototype performance against customer requirements and industry standards
• Document test results, failure modes, and design iterations; recommend design or process changes based on findings
• Partner with manufacturing/production teams to assess feasibility, tolerances, and scalability of prototype designs before handoff
• Act as the technical liaison with customers during the prototype phase clarifying requirements, presenting results, and managing revisions
• Maintain BOMs, technical drawings, and prototype documentation for handoff to production
• Stay current on new product developments and application usages for rapid adaptation to company products
• Support technical failure analysis and debugging on key customer issues
• Support project management by keeping project plans and other related documents updated
• Provide written recommendations and presentations for end-users
• Other duties as assigned, * Typically working in an office environment. Occasionally in a manufacturing environment, traveling, or at a customer location subjected to fumes or airborne particles.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate

ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications, or working conditions associated with the position.

Management reserves the right to assign, modify, or reassign duties and responsibilities at any time based on business needs.

Nothing in this job description alters the at-will employment relationship. Employment may be terminated by either the employee or the Company at any time, with or without notice and with or without cause, subject to applicable law.

Reasonable accommodations may be provided to individuals with disabilities as required by law.

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical , industrial engineering or related discipline plus a minimum of 5 years of work experience in a similar role required. Master’s degree preferred
• Proficiency using SolidWorks or similar 3D solid modeling software
• Ability to read and understand technical drawings, manuals, and industry or customer specifications
• Previous experience in product design, development, and implementation
• Working knowledge of CNC machining processes
• Experience with ANSYS or similar simulation software
• Knowledge of DFM (Design for Manufacturability) principles
• Comfortable working in ambiguity when customer requirements aren't always fully specified
• Strong communicator who can explain technical trade-offs to both engineers and customers
• Must be able to travel up to 20% as required
• Detail-oriented, especially around documentation and test traceability
• Able to manage multiple projects at varying stages simultaneously
• Strong problem-solving abilities
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Ability to work effectively both independently and in a team environment

Preferred Skills

• Previous experience in plastics, product design, development and implementation are desired
• Familiarity with compression molding and high-performance polymer and compounds is a plus

• Experience with SolidWorks or similar 3D solid modeling

• Advanced presentation skills
• Familiarity with Six Sigma, & Lean Manufacturing is a plus.
• Familiarity with physical, thermal and mechanical tests is desired (dimensional inspection, specific gravity, tensile strength, TGA and DSC, for example)
• Familiarity with ASTM standards.