Applications Engineer POST NUMBER: 160599

Vaco is hiring for an Applications Engineer

located in Oakland Park, FL

Salary: $92-125k based on experience

Purpose of the Role

This position combines technical applications support, field service, customer support, engineering documentation, and vehicle retrofit project support .

The individual will work directly with customers and OEMs to support product installations, commissioning, troubleshooting, repairs, training, and technical documentation. The role also partners with Engineering and New Product Development on product improvements and new designs.

Key Responsibilities

Customer Technical & Applications Support

• Provide technical and applications support directly to customers.
• Partner with Customer Service to quickly and thoroughly resolve technical questions and requests.
• Develop strong working relationships with customers and OEMs.
• Assist with engineering reports, technical letters, and customer communications.
• Provide training to:
  • End users
  • Customers
  • Service/support teams

Installation, Commissioning & Field Service

• Install, commission, service, and troubleshoot systems at customer facilities.
• Perform onsite evaluations, installations, and repairs of existing products.
• Support field testing and installation of R&D prototypes .
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical/product issues in the field.
• Must be able to respond to emergencies 24/7/365 when needed .

Vehicle Retrofit Projects

• Lead vehicle retrofit projects.
• Review and evaluate bid specifications for retrofit opportunities.
• Develop:
  • Recommendations
  • Technical requirements
  • Parts lists/BOMs
  • Layouts
• Use available vehicle/product information to determine appropriate retrofit solutions.
• Provide drafting and detailing support for application projects.

Engineering & Product Support

• Support Engineering with continuous improvement of existing products.
• Create, modify, and review technical drawings and specifications.
• Ensure designs and drawings meet established engineering specifications and standards.
• Participate in design reviews for existing and new products.
• Assist with specifications and testing requirements.

Technical Documentation

• Lead the creation and release of high-quality:
  • End-user documentation
  • Service documentation
  • Technical drawings
  • Product specifications
• Help establish consistent documentation across the organization's product portfolio.

New Product Development

• Partner with the New Product Development team to support successful product launches.
• Research:
  • New technologies
  • Materials
  • Industry developments
  • Market trends
• Identify potential product and process improvement opportunities.
• Stay current on emerging industry practices.
• Recommend and implement continuous improvement initiatives.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or Electrical Engineering preferred.
• 5 years of experience in the seating/restraint-related transportation industry OR an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• 5 years working directly with customers and/or OEMs.
• Experience supporting technical products in a customer-facing environment.

Technical Skills

• Proficiency with SolidWorks .
• Experience with 3DVIA Composer .
• Ability to create/read/modify technical drawings and specifications.
• Strong general computer skills, including Microsoft Office.
• Knowledge of transportation standards and regulations related to product/device design is a plus.
• Safety-related product experience is a plus.

Soft Skills

• Strong written and verbal communication.
• Strong customer-facing skills.
• Analytical and technically minded.
• Critical thinking and problem-solving ability.
• Comfortable independently troubleshooting issues in the field.
• Able to communicate technical information to both technical and non-technical audiences.

Travel & Schedule

This is a travel-heavy position :

• Approximately 30–40% overall travel .
• Up to 25% international travel .
• Travel to customer/OEM facilities for installations, commissioning, repairs, troubleshooting, and project support.
• Must have flexibility to respond to urgent customer situations on a 24/7/365 basis when required .

By submitting to this position, you are agreeing to be included in our talent pool for future hiring for similarly qualified positions.