Senior Applications Engineer

The Senior Applications Engineer serves as a subject matter expert for all project related teams. Their main objective is to drive and manage the technological evaluation stage of the sales process. Additionally, the Sr. Applications Engineer serves as a peer-to-peer mentor for the entire Applications Engineering team.

In addition, the Sr. Applications Engineer as a subject matter expert for all secondary project related teams which includes but is not limited to:

• Case Packing
• Palletizing
• Carton/Case Forming and Closing
• Custom Robotics and Automation
• AI Integration

Working in conjunction with all project teams as the key technical advisor and product advocate, the Sr. Applications Engineer must be able to identify and provide reliable solutions for all technical issues to assure complete customer satisfaction through all stage of the pre- and post-sale process.

Key Role Areas:

1. Project Engineering Support & Secondary Project Engineering Support
2. Inter Departmental Design Integration
3. Engineering Continuous Improvement
4. Engineering Sales Support
5. Peer-to-Peer Mentorship

Job Duties & Responsibilities:

KRA # 1 - Project Engineering Support

• Review all incoming requests for quotation (RFQs)
• Review and apply URS (user requirement specification) documentation to systems design and process.
• Complete conceptual layout drawings
• Collaborate with the engineering department to provide customized, complete, accurate design solutions and improve upon existing ones.
• Coordinate with engineering in performing sizing and optimization analysis for making design recommendations.
• Perform sizing calculations or other analytics as needed in the design or modification of equipment.
• Respond to outside sales functional and technical elements of request for proposal.
• Coordinate with proposal coordinators and engineering to obtain quotations from vendors.
• Lead the evaluation of all technical proposals prior to customer submission.
• Maintain expert level of product, process, and application knowledge for our products by immersing oneself in shop floor operations, technical journals, media outlets, and in field experience.

KRA #2– Inter Departmental Design Integration

• Manage and organize all pre-sale project details in company approved databases.
• For a secured project, AE will lead the Conceptual Design Review step which serves as the handoff transition from Sales to Project Management.
• From pre-sale through design, AE will maintain accurate records of technical product and machine data, project data, supplier quotations, contacts and correspondence in company approved databases.
• For all third-party products, parts or assemblies, AE will provide OEM equipment and commercial item specifications to appropriate departments and include these specifications related to the project in company approved databases.
• Determine and communicate supplier requirements to mechanical engineering and purchasing for order placement.

KRA #3 – Engineering Continuous Improvement

• Create and maintain a set of selection criteria for approved vendors and suppliers.
• Technically qualify new suppliers against vendor selection criteria.
• Attend trade shows, seminars/webinars, and actively pursue technical media/marketing outlets to stay on the cutting edge of packaging technology.
• to help distinguish our product offering.
• Identify and apply appropriate standardization criteria to specified equipment during the pre-sale process. Examples include OSHA, USDA, UL508A, FDA, NFPA 70 NEC
• Engage engineering and/or service to assist in evaluating customer’s products for feasibility on the various Viking Masek products.
• Become intimately familiar on a functional level with all Viking Masek products – will spend 3 months on production floor with the assembly and process technician teams.

KRA #4 – Engineering Sales Support

• Prior to the sale, AE will serve as the technical lead during communications with the customer (as needed). AE will receive support requests from the sales team and respond appropriately, by email, text message, phone or in-person.
• Prior to the sale, AE will travel with the sales team to evaluate onsite technical details. AE will document details appropriately in CRM files or other company approved databases.
• Prior to the sale, AE will evaluate existing equipment for process/technical inefficiencies and recommend alternatives to correct said inefficiencies. AE will document appropriate data and recommendations in CRM files or other company approved databases.
• Prior to the sale, AE will document and manipulate site details such as room layouts, utilities, climate, and existing equipment. AE will attach documentation, including drawings of room layouts, utility locations, climate observations and existing equipment in CRM files or other company approved databases.

KRA # 5 – Peer-to-Peer Mentorship

• Assist the Applications Engineering Manager in the development of new hires and less experienced Applications Engineering personnel.
• Assist the Applications Engineering Manager in the development and implementation of standardization/process in the day-to-day functions of the Applications Engineering team.
• Exemplify Viking Masek core values in every facet of the business.
• Exhibit increased attention to leadership in self, others, and the business.

Qualifications:

• Education is generally equivalent to a (2-4) year degree in Engineering, Product Management, Quality, Continuous Improvement, related discipline or equivalent experience and specialized training.
• Proven ability to mentor, lead, and assist in the development of both occupational skillsets and personnel.
• 4-6 years of applications experience or equivalent
• Experience in client facing interactions.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills to effectively communicate design intent.

Desired Skillsets:

• 4-6 years of experience or equivalent including the following disciplines:
• Secondary packing
• Robotics and automation
• Industrial machine design
• Food and beverage packaging experience preferred
• Ability to use Microsoft Office software, Salesforce, AutoCad, PDM and various VikingMasek systems.

Other Misc.

• Always sell the Viking Value Proposition and adhere to company and departmental SOP’s.
• Attend Tradeshows
• Continuous improvement and industry training upkeep
• May occasionally travel on company business, as needed (5-10% annually).
• Team player that is highly disciplined, problem solver with a strong work ethic.

Hours: Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. with a ½ hour unpaid lunch, or as the job requires. (can be flexible). Travel as required.