Applications Engineer

Position Overview

The Application Engineer provides technical expertise to internal and external customers and suppliers for material and product design, testing, qualification, certification, and approval with key OEMs, end users, distribution channels, and industry bodies. The Engineer directs and undertakes the development of new and existing products and services within PPE, focusing on product selection, design, material specification, quality, and service requirements across diverse markets—including semi‑conductor, energy, life‑sciences, marine propulsion, and related industries.

The role works closely with sales channels and strategic customers to understand current and future industry requirements, emphasizing PPE’s brand as an innovative engineered sealing solutions provider and aligning the business for growth.

• Provide advanced engineering support for PPE products and services, including elastomeric and thermoplastic seals and custom sealing systems.
• Review customer technical requirements, specifications, and operating conditions to recommend optimal seal designs.
• Prepare detailed technical proposals, product recommendations, designs, and material selections based on customer and industry requirements.
• Oversee failure analysis, root cause investigations, and corrective action recommendations.
• Prepare detailed manufacturing drawings, including appropriate tolerances, limits, and fits for non‑O‑Ring products.

• Support sales, product management, and other functions to promote PPE materials, products, and services at customer sites, technical seminars, trade shows, and industry forums.
• Attend customer meetings, technical reviews, and site visits as needed to provide expert consultation.
• Support sales teams to ensure timely and accurate responses to RFQs through the CRM system.
• Deliver technical presentations, including generic and specialized training courses, to internal and external customers and suppliers.
• Manage and control SKUs through JD Edwards.

• Work with customers, sales, and product management to develop detailed and relevant specifications for new product developments.
• Collaborate with R&D, manufacturing, and third parties to develop materials, products, and services.
• Ensure new and existing products meet customer and industry requirements.
• Leverage commercial opportunities resulting from the qualification of new and existing products and services.
• Identify emerging technological, political, and market trends to enhance the product portfolio.
• Build detailed understanding of customer and industry requirements and competitor offerings for sealing materials, products, and services within target segments.
• Provide customer voice to contribute to product strategy and roadmaps.

• Education:
  
  Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Engineering, related discipline, or equivalent professional qualification.
• Experience:
  
  Designing, developing, and validating elastomeric sealing solutions or working with polymeric sealing products in semi‑conductor, energy, life‑sciences, marine propulsion, or similar industries.
• Technical
  
  Skills:
  
  Knowledge of polymeric sealing materials (elastomers, thermoplastics, composites) and manufacturing processes; competent user of 3D CAD (Solid Works advantage), engineering analysis tools (FEA, FSD), and Microsoft Office; understanding of mechanical design principles, material technology, stress analysis, fluid dynamics, tribology, and thermodynamics.
• Soft Skills:
  
  Effective communication of engineering details to technical and non‑technical audiences; customer‑centric mindset; problem‑solving techniques; strong project management, planning, prioritization, and decision‑making skills; ability to work cross‑functionally and travel domestically and internationally.

• Customer satisfaction and responsiveness metrics.
• On‑time delivery of technical support and engineering solutions.
• Quality and effectiveness of engineering recommendations and failure analyses.
• Contribution to sales growth and product innovation…