Applications Engineer

The Applications Engineer is a key role that involves bridging the sales office with the research and development (R&D) office. The primary focus of the AE is to support automotive customers' direct development projects and build relationships with Tier-1s, Tier-2s, and OEMs in the automotive industry. The AE is responsible for various tasks including application engineering, technical service, market trend analysis, new application development, and relevant computer-aided engineering (CAE) work. The AE is expected to think creatively and work "outside the box" to contribute to the commercialization process. 

Applications Engineer Responsibilities: 

• Collaborate with regional sales managers to interact with customers at a technical level and translate fundamental application needs for automotive components into product solutions.
• Serve as the primary point of technical communication between the company and automotive Tier-1 suppliers, Tier-2 suppliers, and OEMs, building and nurturing strong relationships to drive business growth.
• Lead the development and customization of polymer resin materials, with a primary focus on materials such as PA, PP, and PC+ABS, to meet the specific needs of automotive applications.
• Provide technical expertise and support to automotive customers' direct development projects, including material selection, application data preparation, conducting material testing, analyzing performance data, customer presentations, customer trials, and troubleshooting any issues that may arise using a total system approach.
• Prepare and deliver technical presentations at meetings or conferences, and actively participate in technical and professional conferences and events to showcase the company's products, capabilities, and value proposition.
• Stay updated on industry trends, regulatory requirements, and emerging technologies related to automotive polymer materials, and incorporate relevant insights into product development and strategy.
• Provide training and technical support to internal stakeholders, including sales teams and R&D, to enhance their understanding of product offerings and application-specific requirements.

Applications Engineer Qualifications: 

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Material Science, or Engineering (Chemical, Mechanical, Plastics, or equivalent) is required, with a Master's degree preferred.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in application development, technical sales, or a related engineering role within the automotive industry, with a focus on polymer resin materials.
• In-depth knowledge of PA, PP, PC/ABS characteristic performance and processing.
• Experience in leading product/application development projects.
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively engage with customers, suppliers, and internal teams at all levels.
• Proficiency with Microsoft PowerPoint, Excel, and Word.
• Willingness to travel as needed to customer sites, industry events, and conferences.

Applications Engineer Preferred Qualifications: 

• Working knowledge and interpretation of polymer analytical characterization techniques.
• Experience with plastic injection molding process development and troubleshooting.
• Familiarity with sustainability practices and regulations pertaining to automotive materials.
• Project management experience.
• Experience with computer-aided engineering (CAE) tools such as Moldflow, LS-Dyna, and ABAQUS.