Senior Application Engineer

Lead / Senior Application Engineer — Seating & Vehicle Systems

Vonore, TN

We’re partnering with a leading manufacturer supporting automotive and commercial vehicle platforms to identify a Lead / Senior Application Engineer with strong experience in seating systems and complex mechanical integration.

This is a highly visible, customer-facing engineering role where you’ll act as the technical link between OEM customers, design engineering, manufacturing, and commercial teams. You’ll take ownership of programs from early concept through launch, ensuring seating and mechanical systems are engineered for performance, durability, manufacturability, and cost effectiveness.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys being close to the product, working directly with customers, and seeing designs transition from concept to production launch.

• Serving as the primary application engineering contact for seating systems and mechanical assemblies within automotive and commercial vehicle platforms
• Translating OEM and customer requirements into clear engineering solutions, drawings, and technical specifications
• Supporting full product lifecycle development from concept, prototype builds, validation testing, through production launch
• Working through design, fitment, packaging, durability, and manufacturability challenges in seating and mechanical integration
• Partnering with cross-functional teams including design engineering, manufacturing, quality, program management, and suppliers
• Supporting structured launch processes including APQP, PPAP, DFMEA, and PFMEA activities
• Reviewing CAD models, 3D assemblies, and vehicle installation constraints to ensure proper system integration
• Identifying opportunities for design improvements, standardization, weight reduction, and cost optimization

• 8 to 10 plus years of experience in application engineering, mechanical design, or systems engineering
• Strong background in automotive, commercial vehicle, off-highway, agricultural, or heavy equipment industries
• Direct experience with seating systems, operator stations, or interior or mechanical integration components strongly preferred
• Strong mechanical aptitude with hands‑on exposure to assemblies, structures, or motion systems
• Experience working from OEM or customer specifications and engineering drawings
• Familiarity with APQP, PPAP, DFMEA, PFMEA, and structured automotive development processes
• Understanding of manufacturing processes, assembly methods, and production cost drivers
• Experience resolving fitment, durability, or system integration issues
• Proficiency with CATIA, Solid Works, or similar CAD tools, or strong collaboration with CAD teams
• Strong communication skills with the ability to work across engineering, operations, and customer organizations
• Comfortable working in fast paced, launch driven environments

• Seating systems, seat structures, or occupant or operator interface components
• Off-highway, heavy equipment, or agricultural OEM environments
• Tier 1 or Tier 2 automotive supplier experience
• Multiple program or platform management exposure within engineering roles
• Light program coordination or technical project leadership responsibilities

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related technical field preferred
• Customer-facing engineering experience strongly valued
• Ability to travel approximately 10 to 20 percent domestically

This is a hands‑on engineering position where your work directly impacts product performance in real-world vehicle applications. You’ll have visibility with customers, influence design decisions early in development, and play a key role in launching seating and mechanical systems into production.

If you enjoy working at the intersection of design, manufacturing, and customer engineering and want ownership of programs from concept through launch, this is a strong opportunity.