Application Engineer

Job Title: Application Engineer

Job Description

This Application Engineer role focuses on delivering high-quality software and hardware training, providing technical support, and strengthening customer relationships for manufacturing clients. The position combines hands-on application engineering with customer-facing responsibilities, including extensive travel to support major manufacturing companies across the United States. The successful candidate applies mechanical or application engineering knowledge to help customers effectively use complex products and solutions while contributing to regional sales support and business growth.

Responsibilities

• Deliver software and hardware training sessions for key customers, ensuring they understand how to effectively use products and solutions.
• Travel frequently across the United States to conduct on-site training for major manufacturing companies, especially during the initial phase of the role.
• Provide technical support to customers both virtually and in person, addressing questions, troubleshooting issues, and recommending best practices.
• Create, edit, and maintain training materials and technical documentation to support customers and internal teams.
• Assist the regional sales team by providing technical support and expertise for local customers and prospects.
• Maintain positive and professional customer relationships through effective communication, follow-up, and problem-solving.
• Continuously develop in-depth knowledge and understanding of the company's broad and expanding product portfolio.
• Identify and generate additional business opportunities through positive interactions with customers during on-site visits.
• Stay current with advancements in application engineering and modern technologies relevant to the company's products and customer applications.
• Collaborate with internal teams to share customer feedback and contribute to continuous improvement of products, training content, and support processes.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor"s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related engineering discipline.
• Minimum 6 months of experience in a manufacturing engineering, quality engineering, or similar environment, which may include an internship.
• At least 6 months of experience in a customer-facing role, such as technical support, training, sales engineering, or similar.
• Foundational knowledge of mechanical engineering principles and their application in manufacturing environments.
• Experience or strong interest in application engineering, including understanding how customers use products in real-world scenarios.
• Ability to explain complex technical concepts clearly to diverse audiences during training and support activities.
• Strong communication and presentation skills for delivering effective training and technical explanations.
• Ability to build and maintain positive customer relationships through professional and responsive interaction.
• Willingness and ability to travel extensively, including up to 70% travel on an ongoing basis and close to 100% travel during the initial training period.
• Capability to work independently while on the road and manage time effectively across multiple customer engagements.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience as an application engineer, mechanical engineer, or sales engineer in a manufacturing or industrial setting.
• Experience in manufacturing engineering or quality engineering, particularly in environments that involve complex mechanical systems or equipment.
• Familiarity with technical documentation, including creating and updating training materials, manuals, or user guides.
• Interest in supporting regional sales efforts by providing technical expertise during customer visits and discussions.
• Motivation to keep up with modern technologies and advancements in application engineering.
• Strong problem-solving skills and a customer-centric mindset when addressing technical issues.
• Comfort working in both virtual and on-site settings, including delivering remote training and support.
• Adaptability to a contract-to-hire arrangement, with the potential for the contract period to extend up to two years.

Work Environment

This role primarily supports accounts in the Seattle area while also requiring frequent travel across the United States to visit major manufacturing customers. The position follows a contract-to-hire structure, with the contract potentially lasting up to two years. Travel is a significant component of the job, with ongoing travel requirements of up to 70%, and near 100% travel expected for training and onboarding. The work environment includes a mix of on-site customer visits in manufacturing facilities and remote work for virtual training, technical support, and documentation. You work with software and hardware solutions used in industrial and manufacturing settings, collaborating closely with regional sales and technical teams. The role requires flexibility, comfort in different facility conditions, and professionalism in customer-facing environments.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Spanaway, WA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $34.50 - $37.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully remote position.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Jun 5, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.