Job Description

Application Engineer

ACCOUNTABILITY OBJECTIVE:

• Successful commercialization of newly developed products.
• Reduction of new product non-conformance at the development stage.
• Expediting new product development timelines.
• Engineering analysis at the prototype stage to remove barriers to successful commercialization.
• Development of a technical resource for the sales team.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

• New Product Development: Manage and champion new product development from the initial business win to the full commercialization of the product, ensuring customer satisfaction.
• Engineering Interface: Serve as the engineering interface between the sales team and the new product supply chain.
• RFQ Participation: Participate in technical discussions at the Request for Quote (RFQ) stage of new product development as needed.
• Post-Extrusion Process Evaluation: Evaluate the feasibility of post-extrusion processes requested by customers, including machining, plating, welding, bending, assembly, and other operations. Work on the development of these processes if necessary.
• Prototype and Sample Development: Monitor the progress of prototype and first-article sample development, from extrusion to all necessary post-extrusion operations.
• Mortality Studies: Conduct mortality studies when prototype samples do not meet customer requirements and collaborate with Technology and Production groups to devise engineering solutions.
• Finite Element Analysis (FEA): Perform FEA, if required, with the assistance of local universities and technical institutions to compare different metals, alloys, and geometries to meet customer requirements.
• Statistical Process Control (SPC): Perform SPC and capability analysis for new product supply chains to ensure that processes are in place to meet customer requirements once prototype or first-article samples are produced.
• Industry Seminars and Conferences: Attend magnesium technical seminars and conferences to stay current with the latest developments in magnesium technology.
• Technical Database Management: Manage a technical database of properties and processes useful for new product development (e.g., new alloys, coatings, and post-extrusion processing technology).
• Product Knowledge: Continuously develop expert-level product knowledge and applications over time.
• Market Studies: Occasionally conduct market studies on magnesium applications.
• Documentation Creation: Create documents for new markets, product introductions, application notes, and product specification guidelines.
• Competitor Analysis: Analyze and develop methods to differentiate products and services from competitors.
• Sales Support: Assist the Sales team in growing current business in alignment with Business Unit and Corporate objectives.
• Drawings: Assist in creating extrusion and fabrication drawings.
• Special Characteristics: Responsible for adding special characteristics to extrusion drawings.

PRIMARY MEASURES OF PERFORMANCE:

• Commercialization Success: Successful commercialization of new products and problem-solving ability.
• Magnesium Technology Knowledge: Ability to learn all facets of magnesium technology and apply this knowledge in new product development. Over time, become a key technical resource for the sales team.
• Advanced Analysis: Ability to perform advanced statistical or FEA analysis to identify the root cause of problems and propose data-driven solutions.
• Process Improvement: Contribute to improvements in new product processes through analysis, innovation, and collaboration with Technology and Production teams.
• Absenteeism: Monitor and maintain an acceptable level of absenteeism.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Education:
• Minimum BA/BS Degree required. Mechanical, Industrial, Materials/Metallurgical Engineering preferred.
• Proficient in advanced statistical analysis tools.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint).
• Proficiency with AutoCAD and SolidWorks.
• Experience:
• 2-5 years of application, process engineering, or new product development experience in a metal manufacturing environment.
• Familiarity with metalworking processes, including machining, punch pressing, bending, coatings, and assembly.
• Familiarity with FEA analysis is an asset.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Office Time: 70%-80% of time spent in the office.
• Travel: 20%-30% of time spent traveling within North America.

Physical Effort:

• Much of the time is spent sitting in a comfortable position with frequent opportunities to move about. Infrequent need to lift or move light articles.
• Some time may require standing or walking. Occasional lifting or handling of material or equipment of moderate weight.

Physical Environment:

• Primarily a comfortable indoor setting with infrequent exposure to unpleasant conditions.
• Regular exposure to factors like temperature extremes, moving machinery, noise, and fumes, which may cause discomfort or some risk of accident or illness.

Sensory Attention:

• Occasionally requires close attention to tasks.
• Regularly requires very close attention, often with one or two senses at a time, in a changing environment.

Mental Stress:

• Ongoing pressure from deadlines, accuracy, and similar demands.
• Occasional concerns about potential hazardous situations, though these occur infrequently.
• Travel may occasionally disrupt family/social life.

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