An application engineer oversees the development and implementation of technology products such as specialty industry machinery or computer programs. He or she collaborates with the manufacturing, sales, and customer service departments of a company. Companies usually require this type of employee to have a four-year degree as well as years of experience in the field. He or she should be a good communicator, mathematician, and team player.
Responsibilities Fundamentals
People who work in this field create, test, and design a variety of technological products. They collect information about clients’ needs and collaborate with managers to create products using advanced computer software. They can create new applications or redesign existing ones for customers. Many application engineers also work in the research and development department.
Alternatives in the Industry
The specific role that someone plays in this profession is determined the industry and discipline that he or she chooses. An application engineer in an industrial setting might be in charge of the planning, design, and deployment of heavy machinery and specialized equipment. One who works in the computer industry uses software and programming knowledge to create computer systems and then writes technical white papers to help the general public understand the technology behind them.
Departments of the Company That Are Relevant
In most cases, application engineers collaborate with multiple departments within a company. An applications engineer may be consulted a manufacturing department to confirm product specifications, standards, and changes. To help close a sale, the sales department may rely on the application engineer to answer questions and confirm technical functionality outside of its realm of knowledge when communicating with the customer base. After the product has reached the field and is in the hands of the customer, the customer service team may turn to an application engineer for help in resolving a technical issue the customer is experiencing while using the product.
Training and Education
A bachelor’s degree in engineering, computer science, or information technology is usually required of an applications engineer. People with at least five years of industry experience are usually preferred employers. Another common requirement for an application engineer is that he or she has a thorough understanding of lean manufacturing, which entails eliminating waste and increasing efficiency in the production of goods. He or she must also be knowledgeable in the field of software.
Required Qualifications
A self-starter who is results-oriented could be a good fit for an application engineering job in any industry. He or she must be a self-starter who requires little supervision, but also be able to work well in a team to achieve the organization’s long-term objectives. Most application engineers must be able to multitask and work under pressure due to the fact that they are responsible for multiple projects in a short period of time.
In addition, an application engineer must accurately present ideas and information to customers, as well as explain industry jargon in a clear manner. In the field of application engineering, a person with excellent verbal and written communication skills, strong math skills, and the ability to handle both simple tasks and complex assignments is a valuable asset.