Application Engineer

Application Engineer - Industrial

Stabilus is a global leader in the production of gas springs and dampers on five continents. Our products can be used in a wide variety of industries, such as the automotive and office chair manufacturing industries, furniture technology, solar industry, medical technology, and many other industrial applications. This position will be located in our U.S. Headquarters in Gastonia, NC. This is our largest production facility in the U.S. We are seeking a dynamic Engineer to join our Team

Job Summary:

The Application Engineer will be responsible for the correct application/design of Stabilus products into our customer’s products. This is achieved by meeting customer specifications, Stabilus’ internal design considerations, and utilizing basic engineering practices. This role also provides technical assistance to Inside and Outside Sales as well as our distributor partners and customers as required.

Essential Job Functions:

· Using simulation software, size into customer products Stabilus standard gas spring products. Provides this output to: Customers, Distributors, Outside Sales, Inside Sales and upon requests.

· Designs custom gas spring products using KF2/HGT Software. Responsible for the correct design based on Stabilus design criteria and basic engineering practices.

· Support ordering prototypes by placing internal orders, supplying drawings, and supporting assembly questions. Applications Engineering is responsible for product development through acceptance of prototypes, specification agreement by the customer and series release.

· Reviews customer prints to match Stabilus drawings and/or product offering. It is the responsibility of the Application Engineer that the Stabilus products meets the customer specification or note any deviations. The Application Engineer marks up the customer print and negotiates the technical agreement with the customer.

· Direct customer contact is required to solicit information and give technical assistance. This may be by phone, fax, letter, email or customer visits.

· Provide technical drawings to requestor as required (non-released parts).

· Support Stabilus sales, distribution network and customers with technical questions.

· Complete Technical Change Notices as required.

· In this capacity the Application Engineer is also responsible for informing the company of any technical developments discovered from competitors or other outside sources.

· If development work is needed, work with Stabilus systems and key stakeholders to develop any needed components or product line expansion.

· Request/update building groups as necessary.

· Responsible for creating a test specification to ensure design meets application requirements.

· In response to any competitive advances, it may be necessary for the Application Engineer to recommend/initiate design changes to Stabilus products. Assistance may be required at locations other than Stabilus.

· Provide technical training to: Outside & Inside Sales, Distributors, external and internal customers as needed.

· Application or product problems may need to be identified by the Application Engineer. Determination may require the dissection of suspect product or inspection of the customer’s product. The situation needs to be analyzed and determination of the failure, root cause reported. Each recommendation of how to correct/fix the problem are the responsibility of the Application Engineer.

· Travel to customer location may be required for all the above.

· May require participation in pilot and production start-ups.

· Manning/walking of Trade Shows to gain/give technical knowledge.

Education, Training, Certifications:

· BSME or equivalent degree required. MSME or MBA preferred but not required.

Experience:

· 2-8 years related experience recommended.

Job Knowledge and Skills:

· Software Skills: AutoCAD/SolidWorks, Word Processing, Spreadsheets, Powerpoint, SAP

· Interpersonal Skills: Deals with all facets of company and customers

· Supervisory Skills: None

· Contact with Others: Talks directly with customers, Sales, Engineering, and Production

· Resourcefulness and Initiative: A wide degree of creativity and latitude is required. Relies on experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals.

· Mechanical aptitude: Must be able to work with light tools to mount product or build simulation bucks to simulate applications.

Working Condition:

· Physical Effort: Light physical work, mounting gas springs to customer products.

· Mental Effort: Performs a variety of complicated tasks.

· Visual Effort: Must read blueprints and CAD files on computer

Accountability:

· Accountability: Responsible for correct application and technical soundness and integrity of gas spring designs.

· Impact of Errors: Incorrect application could cause failures in field. Potential injury and/or lawsuits. Customer may pull business and go with the competition.

· Confidential Data: Yes. Has knowledge of customer/costing and all of Stabilus’ designs.

Other Duties:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.