Application Engineer

Job description

**Company Overview:** Field is a family-owned global supplier of fasteners, "C" commodities, inventory management services, and technical support. We currently have locations in Rockford, IL (headquarters), Texas, South Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Mexico, and Taiwan. For over 30 years, Field has grown an average of 19% annually because of its dedication to lowering our customers overall cost and improving quality through a technical approach to fasteners. By joining Field, you will experience an exceptional culture built on Integrity, Commitment, Teamwork, Innovation, Flexibility, and Fun! Field was recognized by INC. magazine as one of the fastest growing privately owned companies in the USA. Field has been recognized nationally by Great Places to Work as one of the Best Small Companies in America, ranking #8 nationally among small companies and #5 nationally among manufacturing/production companies. For several years, Field has been recognized locally by the Rockford Register Star as one of the top Employers in the area. At Field, having a great culture is more than a priority – it’s everything. For more information about our culture and company, please watch this [Culture Video.](https://share.vidyard.com/watch/85U4EUFM8ouRHJ3QPn1QQD) All full-time positions at Field are eligible for benefits including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, 401(k), Life Coaching, paid Vacation, paid Holidays, paid Volunteer Time, quarterly Bonuses, and more! Visit our [Careers page](http://www.fieldfastener.com/careers) for a complete list of benefit offerings. **Position Summary:** The Application Engineer combines hands-on engineering, customer interaction, product/application review, testing, technical presentations, and cross-functional problem solving. This position evaluates fastening applications, recommends technical solutions, supports cost-savings opportunities, validates product performance, and becomes a trusted technical resource for both customers and internal teams. This role solves real manufacturing and fastening challenges with customers. The position requires a strong mechanical engineering foundation, practical mechanical aptitude, and the ability to work directly with customers, sales, suppliers, quality, and internal FIELD teams. **This position reports to:** Engineering Manager **This position has direct reports**: No **Location:** Machesney Park, IL or Columbus, OH **FLSA Hourly/Salary:** Starting Salary $65,000-$85,000 ### Essential Functions: - Commit to FIELD’s Mission Statement, Core Values, and Fieldamentals. - Partner with customers, sales, suppliers, quality, operations, and engineering team members to solve fastening, assembly, product, and application challenges. - Review customer applications, prints, specifications, materials, finishes, assembly conditions, and performance requirements to identify risks, improvement opportunities, and practical solutions. - Provide technical recommendations that support cost reduction, design improvement, quality enhancement, part consolidation, standardization, manufacturability, and product performance. - Use hands-on engineering methods, testing equipment, samples, machining resources, and application reviews to investigate issues, validate solutions, and support customer decisions. - Support line reviews, customer visits, product investigations, VA/VE activities, supplier discussions, and implementation of approved engineering recommendations. - Develop and deliver clear technical presentations, reports, findings, and recommendations for customers and internal stakeholders. - Build trusted relationships by providing accurate, timely, and practical technical support to customers, suppliers, and FIELD team members. - Continue developing fastener and fastening-system expertise through ongoing training, mentoring, customer exposure, and hands-on project work. - Work independently while managing multiple priorities, maintaining strong follow-through, and using data and practical reasoning to influence decisions. - Contribute to a collaborative team environment built on accountability, technical curiosity, continuous improvement, and FIELD’s Mission Statement, Core Values, and Fieldamentals. - Travel approximately 25–50% to support customer visits, line reviews, supplier meetings, project work, technical investigations, and business initiatives. Some overnight travel may be required. ### Education, Skills and Experience Required: - High school diploma or GED equivalent required. - Minimum of three years of experience in an engineering, manufacturing, technical support, application engineering, product engineering, quality engineering, or related technical role. - Strong understanding of mechanical engineering principles. - Practical mechanical aptitude with a hands-on, roll-up-your-sleeves approach to problem solving. - Experience working in or supporting a manufacturing environment. - Ability to interact professionally with customers and internal teams, including delivering technical presentations and explaining recommendations clearly. - Working knowledge of fasteners, fastener manufacturing, or fastening applications. - Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. - Experience with CAD software such as SolidWorks, AutoCAD, Pro/ENGINEER, or similar platforms. - Ability to manage priorities independently, follow through on commitments, and communicate technical information with accuracy and professionalism. ### Additional Skills Preferred: - Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Technology, or a related technical field. - Experience with fastening applications, torque/tension relationships, materials, coatings, thread forms, product validation, print review, or failure investigation. - Experience supporting customer-facing technical projects, cost-savings initiatives, VA/VE work, product standardization, or quality improvement activities. - Prior leadership, supervisory, project leadership, or technical mentoring experience.