Application Engineer (Automotive Market) - ITW Automotive

ITW (NYSE: ITW) is a Fortune 200 global multi-industrial manufacturing leader with revenues totaling more than $15 billion in 2023. The company’s seven industry-leading segments leverage the unique ITW Business Model to drive solid growth with best-in-class margins and returns in markets where highly innovative, customer-focused solutions are required. ITW’s approximately 45,000 dedicated colleagues around the world thrive in the company’s decentralized and entrepreneurial culture. www.shakeproof.com.

ITW Shakeproof is a leading manufacturer with a proven history of creating innovative fastening solutions for automotive and industrial OEMs and their tier suppliers. Our diverse range of USA-manufactured products, including screws, pins, nuts, washers, stampings, and fastening systems, are designed to meet the specific needs of our customers and enhance safety, quality, productivity, and performance of their products. We are committed to executing our business strategy to deliver differentiated performance over the long term and firmly establishing ITW Shakeproof as one of the best-performing, highest-quality, and most respected fastening solutions.

ITW offers its employees a path for advancement, a competitive salary, and a comprehensive benefits package designed to help employees care for themselves, their families, and their futures.

Position Summary: 

As a key member of the ITW Shakeproof Commercial team, serving the Automotive market, the Application Engineer will reside in the Troy, MI sales office and will report to the Sales & Engineering Director - Automotive.

This position will be responsible for supporting the sales account managers by means of communicating technical information with the customer and internal engineers.  This position will involve direct communications with customers to obtain the best solution for opportunities by applying knowledge of engineering principles to develop, design, and validate products. 

This role requires some product design experience, but the primary responsibility will be working with the customer to define the application, identify the best solution and communicate the requirements to the product engineering team.

Core Responsibilities:

• Be the “go-to” engineering contact for the sales team for technical training, guidance, and customer engineering needs.
• Attend sales and engineering meetings to support product / project development at customer locations.
• Partner with the sales team to support the divisional growth objectives by providing in-depth technical acumen for both product and process (customer assembly and cold forming)
• Identify the needs of the customer and determine if a new product needs to be created or an existing product can be applied to the opportunity.
• Create an initial concept and present it to the customer (ex: CAD) to facilitate further discussion about the opportunity.
• Use engineering methodologies (ex: FEA, DOE, etc) to confirm that the concept will meet or exceed customers’ performance requirements.
• Manage and coordinate project documentation with the Sales Team and transfer projects to the internal engineering teams through clear communication of customer technical requirements.
• Lead the project through the Develop phase of the APQP process.
• Represent the application engineering team at technical sales visits, trade shows, or conferences.
• Provide technical training opportunities to our internal and external customers and suppliers.
• Benchmark competitor products to monitor market and industry trends.
• Perform basic testing of product at the troy office as needed to support growth initiatives.
• Support customer launch and post launch improvement activities to reinforce the trusted advisor relationship.
• Lead, drive, and implement changes to simplify processes and eliminate complexity within the business that will strengthen market competitiveness. 
• Other related responsibilities, as required.

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering
• 5+ years of equivalent work experience
• Driven and motivates others to excel. Curious to find new opportunities and projects.  Growth mindset.
• Strong analytical skills coupled with the ability to exercise sound judgment.
• Work efficiently without significant supervision.
• Knowledge and use in 3D Software; SolidWorks / CAD preferred.
• Automotive experience preferred.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills with ability and willingness to communicate, and work with other regions.
• <10% travel; primarily domestic

ITW Shakeproof Industrial is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

ITW is an equal opportunity employer. We value our colleagues’ unique perspectives, experiences and ideas and create workplaces where everyone can develop their careers and perform to their full potential. 

As an equal employment opportunity employer, ITW is committed to equal employment opportunity and fair treatment for employees, beginning with the hiring process and continuing through all aspects of the employment relationship. 

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected Veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.