COMPANY DESCRIPTION:
Ascend Performance Materials is a global leader in the production of high-quality chemicals, fibers and nylon 66 and other thermoplastics. Our products are used in a multitude of everyday items, from apparel to animal feed, cable ties to circuit breakers, carpets to car parts. We have manufacturing locations worldwide and resources in every major region to help customers develop new and more effective products for their evolving needs.
Why work at Ascend?
If you are looking for a career with one of the plastics industry's most dynamic employers, Ascend Performance Materials offers an opportunity to develop a true sense of fulfillment and pride in your achievements.
Ascend provides an exciting platform from which you, your family and your community will benefit. You will become a trusted member of an interdependent and safe working environment where your opinions and ideas will be encouraged and respected, regardless of your position. Working alongside a diverse range of renowned technical experts on a continuous stream of industry-leading products and
technologies, you will find a wide variety of opportunities within our growing business for both learning and career development.
Our culture is built on a strong set of core values that foster innovation and collaboration across every level of the organization. It is a culture grounded in open relationships between every member of the Ascend team. All of this is driven by an inspirational leadership team, intently focused on maximizing the new investment in the business.
The essence of our organization is embodied in the words 'inspiring every day,' and we have built a strong and confident business with performance at its core. It will be challenging but holistically rewarding and will enable you to achieve your personal and professional aspirations.
Ascend is an organization that genuinely seeks to inspire our people to inspire others. We believe this gives Ascend a higher purpose, making it a unique work environment for you to consider when choosing career options.
Ascend is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran's status, genetic testing, sexual orientation or any other characteristic or status protected under federal, state or local law.
POSITION OVERVIEW
As a member of Ascend Performance Material's applications team, the Global Application Development Engineer will collaborate with customers and internal resources to imagine, create, and develop new applications and constructions for plastic, composite, and hybrid electrical and electronics (E&E) components. This position interacts with global E&E industry customers at a technical level and will translate fundamental application needs into design and material solutions. Networking globally with various commercial, technical, and manufacturing functions, this position will require customer interface, market analysis, idea generation, design development, application testing and will provide the technical engine to drive the global commercialization process. The successful candidate will consistently demonstrate an entrepreneurial spirit by creating value propositions for Ascend materials, presenting to customers, and driving them to sales closes through the customer technical organizations.
The position is located in Ascend's Royal Oak, Michigan, USA facility and requires in-person collaboration with Ascend's team and with customer teams in-person (not virtually).
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
In addition to interacting with customers in the global E&E OEM and component industry, the Global Application Development Engineer has a variety of job responsibilities, including:

• Understanding the customer's unmet needs and creating value propositions for electrical components and systems solutions in Ascend thermoplastics, composites, or hybrid designs, and presenting and convincing customer technical groups of that value to close sales.
• Responsibility for validation of Ascend's thermoplastic product offerings in new customer E&E applications, and then translating wins globally by leveraging and leading regional Ascend teams.
• Initiating and developing new thermoplastic E&E application concepts in such areas as electrical connectors, housings, encapsulations, and other related components according to market needs.
• Planning and leading projects from initial concept to commercialization.
• Responsibility for material selection, data preparation, computer simulation/modeling data, and creating customer presentations and conducting customer trials and testing.
• Effectively using the processes for development of a total system cost approach.
• Translating customer and market needs into new product and application development designs creating commercialization strategies for new thermoplastic or hybrid materials.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE
The successful Application Engineer candidate will have achieved a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or a related engineering discipline with an advanced degree highly desirable, along with:

• 10 years of related industry experience with an in-depth knowledge of E&E applications and market trends
• Deep experience in developing and commercializing PA thermoplastic applications for global E&E customers in the electronics and electrical market.
• Expertise in developing total cost value propositions and presentations for advancing new materials into new and existing application spaces.
• Engineering experience designing thermoplastic components for injection molding and other conversion processes.

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Experience leading customer-focused application innovation and developing convincing value stream maps.
• Conceptualization, design, and development of new applications using a 1st principle understanding of PA66 and other thermoplastics.
• Validation of new materials and products in existing and new customer platforms.
• Experience in delivering complex technical presentations to large groups, non-technical audiences, and executive management.
• Ability to analyze complex data, results, and needs to distill pertinent key conclusions, make sound decisions, and take appropriate development actions to achieve successful commercialization outcomes.
• Experience utilizing Quality Functional Deployment and gated project management systems.
• Skill in designing thermoplastic E&E components and systems to meet performance criteria.
• Strategic and innovative thinking experience, with strong problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work in and lead global teams.
• Computer skills with expertise in Microsoft Office, PowerPoint, CAD, CAE, and/or Moldflow.

At Ascend Performance Materials, we value transparency and fairness in our hiring process. We do not accept unsolicited resumes from third-party recruiters, search firms, or staffing agencies. Any resumes received from such entities will be considered the property of Ascend Performance Materials, and we will not be obligated to pay any fees for such submissions. Our Talent Acquisition Team actively engages with preferred recruitment partners who have established agreements with us. We encourage all interested candidates to apply directly through our official channels to be considered for any open positions.
Skills Summary:
About Us:
Ascend Performance Materials is the premium provider of high quality chemicals, fibers and plastics. With world scale integrated manufacturing facilities we are able to develop new products from our core technologies, and provide flexibility to respond to the expanding needs of customers. Ascend has global sales and distribution facilities across the globe and six manufacturing facilities globally. As a privately-held company, our people do big things and make big decisions, often much earlier in their careers than at larger companies. Ascend Performance Materials offers team members the opportunity to contribute in big, meaningful ways-all within a stable and growing business.
Why work at Ascend?
Our vision is to be the recognized leader in the nylon 6,6 value chain, creating new possibilities with PA66 for everyone, everywhere, every day. We achieve that through living our Ascend values.
We care . We operate safely with high integrity for our employees, our customers and our communities. Our people are our greatest assets, and our Total Rewards Program extends beyond traditional benefits to include access to on-site medical clinics at our U.S. facilities, a global wellness rewards program and Performance Matters, an employee-driven recognition plan. Our Commitment to Zero demonstrates our belief that is it possible to operate with zero personal injuries, zero process safety incidents and zero environmental releases. And the Ascend Cares Foundation, led by Ascend employees, supports Ascend families in times of need, provides inspiring opportunities for community engagement and facilitates community leadership.
Customer-focused . We exist for our customers; they drive our actions. Their success is our success. Our plastics and chemicals are building blocks that help make everyday essentials safer and more sustainable, and we constantly strive to develop new and innovative products to meet the future needs of our customers. And that customer focus doesn't only apply to the marketplace - it also applies to how we treat our colleagues and our fellow community members.
Better every day . We invest in our people and our processes to improve every day. A2E, our continuous improvement program, guides the way we do business. And this way of problem solving applies not only to our manufacturing practices but also to our commitment to developing our people. You'll see it during your career at Ascend in our leadership development, skills training and mentoring programs
Agile . We think broadly and lead proactively in a constantly evolving organization and industry. Agility doesn't mean simply working quickly - it means critical thinking, creative problem solving and novel approaches to everyday challenges.
One Ascend . All together, with a common set of goals and an eye toward the future. We don't accept silos. We look for ways to share across departments, sites and geography. This means you won't be boxed into a single role at Ascend - you could get the chance to work with teams across the globe to improve the way we serve our people, our customers and our communities.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, citizenship, genetic information or other protected status under federal, state or local laws.