Applications Engineer

$31,200 - $52,000/Yr

Lindberg/Mph - Riverside, MI

Full-time - Entry Level

Riverside, MI

Machinery Manufacturing

About the position

The Applications Engineer at Lindberg/Mph plays a crucial role in the sales process by reviewing requests, applications, and processes submitted by customers and sales teams. Under the guidance of the Application Engineering Manager, the engineer will perform necessary design calculations, prepare cost estimations, and generate quotations that align with the company's fiscal goals, standards, and customer specifications. This position requires a blend of technical knowledge and customer interaction, ensuring that the solutions provided meet both the technical requirements and the financial objectives of the company. In this role, the Applications Engineer will collaborate closely with customers, direct sales, and sales representatives to discuss and refine the specifications for standard and custom industrial heat processing equipment. They will be responsible for developing and writing equipment test specifications, performance requirements, and accurate proposals. The engineer will also prepare budgetary pricing and abbreviated proposals to help qualify projects before committing more resources to detailed proposals. The Applications Engineer will generate detailed and accurate quotations with lead times that facilitate customer purchases. They will analyze quoted and shipped job margins, providing detailed financial analyses when variances occur. This position requires effective communication with various departments, including engineering and production, to implement operating procedures and resolve any system malfunctions. The engineer will also participate in cross-functional teams to address manufacturing, design, and quality issues, contributing to continuous improvement efforts. Additionally, the Applications Engineer will occasionally travel to customer sites to review applications and meet with sales representatives. They will also attend trade shows for setup, staffing, and demonstrations. The role demands a commitment to quality, profitability, and manufacturability, ensuring compliance with applicable codes and company standards. Staying informed about industry developments and new technologies is essential for success in this position.

Responsibilities

• Work with customers, direct sales, and sales representatives to discuss, refine, and ultimately sell standard and custom industrial heat processing equipment.
• Interact with customers and/or sales staff to review equipment specifications and customer requirements, and develop and write equipment test specifications, performance requirements, accurate cost estimates and accurate proposals/quotes.
• Work with sales representatives, sales support staff, and customers to meet their thermal processing and/or automation requirements through consultative design processes.
• Prepare budgetary pricing and abbreviated proposals when requested to help qualify projects before investing greater resources which would be required to generate a detailed proposal with firm pricing.
• Generate detailed and accurate quotations/proposals with lead times to allow customers to purchase equipment. Create and maintain accurate and complete proposal templates.
• Determine accurate costs and ensure appropriate selling price based off LMPH margin goals, or as directed otherwise by the Director of Sales and/or President.
• Review quoted/shipped job margins and provide detailed analysis on financials that have variances when requested.
• Confer with appropriate coworkers, including engineering and production, to implement operating procedures and resolve system malfunctions.
• Confer with appropriate personnel in other departments, such as marketing, legal, and engineering, to provide technical information.
• Process purchase orders in ERP (currently AS400/BPCS) system and in Salesforce.
• Follow established communication process to notify internal departments of order status and provide customers with sales order acknowledgment.
• Develop working relationships with Engineering, Materials Management, Production, and other departments to address and resolve issues, as well as discussing potential projects to garner assistance as needed to close orders.
• Participate in cross functional teams to address and resolve manufacturing, design, and quality problems, and to ensure the continuous improvement of processes and methods.
• Participate in meetings, seminars, trade shows, and training sessions to stay apprised of new developments, technologies, and components.
• Occasionally travel to customer sites to review applications or meet with local sales representative and/or Sales staff to discuss projects with customers.
• Occasionally travel to trade shows for set-up/tear-down, staffing booth, participate in demonstrations, etc.
• Follow-up with customers to confirm receipt of proposals, address any questions or concerns, and actively sell the proposed equipment meeting company standards, applicable codes, and customer specifications.
• Ensure conformance to codes and to company standards for quality, profitability, and manufacturability.
• Stay current and informed of new developments in industry and new parts or methods to improve products or product designs.
• Comply with all housekeeping procedures, quality standards, and safety regulations.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED required; an Associate's or Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, or two (2) or more years of related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience is preferred.
• Emphasis on thermal dynamics and/or metallurgy is preferred.
• Technical knowledge of the effects of elevated temperatures (thermal loads, thermal expansion, and material compatibility), hazard classifications, and psychometrics is a plus.
• Ability to read, analyze and interpret technical specifications, customer specifications, blueprints/drawings, governmental regulations, general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, etc.
• Ability to write accurate proposals and related documentation, reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to effectively present information, respond to questions, and communicate effectively with customers, clients, sales representatives, groups of managers, vendors, and other employees of the Company.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, divide, and to make metric system conversions; work with mathematical concepts for various calculations; apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists; interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
• Ability to meet deadlines in a timely manner without constant supervision.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office software suite (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, OneNote, Outlook), Google Workspace (Gmail, Calendar, Meet, Chat, Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides), ERP (order processing) systems, AutoCAD or Solidworks and Salesforce.

Nice-to-haves

• Basic understanding of mechanical, electrical, and other subassemblies.

Benefits

• Medical benefits provided.