Application Engineer

Application Engineer – Fastener Sales

The Application Engineer – Fastener Sales serves as the primary technical expert for engineered fastening solutions, supporting both customers and internal teams with fastener applications, manufacturing processes, design validation, and product development. This role partners closely with Purchasing, Quality, and Sales to interpret customer requirements, review technical documentation, and ensure that fastener products meet industry standards and customer specifications. The engineer provides hands-on support for testing and validation activities while helping drive continuous improvement and value-added engineering initiatives within a small but growing family-owned organization.

• Build and maintain strong technical relationships with customers, acting as a trusted resource for fastener application and engineering support.
• Serve as a technical advisor to Purchasing, Quality, and Sales teams, helping interpret customer requirements and align them with appropriate fastener solutions.
• Troubleshoot customer application and engineering issues, diagnosing root causes and recommending practical, cost-effective solutions.
• Support fastener design, testing, and manufacturing activities, including heading, forming, and coating processes.
• Review customer prints, drawings, and specifications using blueprint reading and GD&T to ensure compliance with technical and quality requirements.
• Conduct product testing and validation activities, including torque testing, hydrogen embrittlement testing, and layout verification.
• Support PPAP reviews and prepare or interpret quality documentation such as control plans, DFMEA, and DVP&R.
• Lead Value Analysis/Value Engineering (VAVE) activities and Lessons Learned reviews to improve product performance, reduce cost, and enhance manufacturability.
• Assist with inventory and part setup within the P21 ERP system to ensure accurate technical and logistical data for fastener products.
• Provide onsite customer support and field testing as needed, including visits to customer facilities and test houses.
• Apply knowledge of ANSI, ASTM, DIN, and ISO fastener standards to ensure products meet relevant industry and customer specifications.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders on product development initiatives, including material selection, coating specifications, and performance validation.
• Use CAD tools such as AutoCAD Inventor or similar software to support design validation, product layout, and documentation.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of testing, validation, and documentation processes for fastener products.

• Hands-on fastener engineering experience with nuts, bolts, screws, rivets, coatings, and adhesives.
• Strong customer-facing engineering or technical sales support experience, with the ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly.
• Proficiency in blueprint reading, GD&T, and detailed print review for fastener and mechanical components.
• Knowledge of ANSI, ASTM, DIN, and ISO fastener standards and their application to product design and validation.
• Understanding of fastener manufacturing processes, including heading, forming, and coating operations.
• Experience with product testing and validation, including torque testing, hydrogen embrittlement testing, and layout verification.
• Practical experience with PPAP processes and related quality documentation such as control plans, DFMEA, DVP&R, and validation reports.
• Ability to lead and contribute to VAVE initiatives focused on cost reduction and performance improvement.
• Material properties and coating specifications knowledge related to fastener performance and durability.
• Ability to serve as a technical advisor to cross-functional teams including Purchasing, Quality, and Sales.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills for diagnosing and resolving application and engineering issues.

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• Experience using P21 ERP or similar enterprise resource planning systems for part and inventory setup.
• Familia…