Applications Engineer

AFL manufactures industry-leading fiber optic cable, connectivity and accessories and provides engineering and installation services for some of the largest telecom customers in the world. Our company was founded in 1984 with a single fiber optic cable and today, we manufacture thousands of products, generate an excess of $4B in revenue, and employ approximately 12,000 associates worldwide. At AFL, we recognize that our employees are our greatest asset. We hire and train each individual, investing in them to ensure success in their careers. With a commitment to professional development and growth, let us connect you to your next career opportunity.

What We Offer:

• Flexible time off policy
• 401K Company match (up to 4% - dollar for dollar)
• Professional development, training, and tuition reimbursement programs
• Excellent medical, dental, vision, and life insurance policy options
• Opportunities for career advancement with an industry leading company!

Job Summary

Provides pre- and post-sales application engineering and technical support for AFL conductor motion control solutions and an assigned secondary product line. Serves as a technical resource to utilities, EPCs, line design consultants, contractors, Sales, Field Engineering, and internal product teams. Evaluates customer line configurations and vibration conditions, performs Vibrec analyses, and recommends the appropriate selection, quantity, and placement of dampers, spacers, and spacer dampers. Supports field investigations, technical training, product qualification, and new product introductions. Contributes to Vibrec software modernization and translates customer and field feedback into product and application improvements.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide pre- and post-sale technical, application, installation, and product integration support for utility customers, EPCs, contractors, line design consultants, and AFL Sales and Customer Service teams.
• Review transmission line designs, customer specifications, and single- or bundled-conductor configurations; recommend motion control products and application methods.
• Perform Vibrec vibration analyses and document recommendations for damper, spacer, and spacer damper quantities and placement by span.
• Support Vibrec users with technical training, troubleshooting, and interpretation of analysis results; contribute to software modernization by defining requirements, validating releases against established methods, and resolving defects with IT and development partners.
• Maintain and expand Vibrec technical reference data, including conductor databases and new conductor types.
• Plan and support field vibration studies using VIBREC500 recorders, including installation planning, data retrieval, analysis, and customer reporting.
• Provide on-site technical support and assist Field Engineering with installation issues, contractor supervision when needed, customer complaints, warranty claims, and vibration or hardware damage investigations.
• Coordinate with internal and external laboratories, customers, and standards bodies on qualification and performance testing; translate field and lab results into application recommendations.
• Develop and deliver technical presentations, demonstrations, and training for customers, utility engineers, field crews, contractors, and Sales personnel.
• Create and maintain installation instructions, application notes, technical guidelines, product documentation, and customer training materials; lead technical input to RFQs, RFPs, and specifications.
• Support product development, beta tests, field trials, new product introductions, and post-launch application support; identify product opportunities from customer needs and competitive developments.
• Provide application engineering support for a secondary assigned product line; coordinate with Product Line Management, Engineering, R&D, Manufacturing, Quality, Marketing, and Sales.
• Participate in industry forums and relevant IEEE, IEC, or CIGRE standards activities and contribute technical presentations or articles as appropriate.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a closely related engineering discipline. The existing AFL general description permits consideration of relevant experience in place of a degree; any equivalency for this specialized role should be confirmed before posting.
• At least 3 years of technical product and direct customer-facing experience in applications engineering, technical sales, field/service engineering, or at least 3 years in the electric power industry with direct transmission and distribution exposure.
• Demonstrated experience developing and delivering technical product training to customers, EPCs, contractors, or field crews.
• Working knowledge of mechanical vibration fundamentals (resonance, damping, fatigue) or overhead line hardware and installation practices, with ability to develop expertise in the other area.
• Ability to interpret engineering software results, validate calculations against established methods, and use Microsoft Office, including Excel.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, organizational, written, and verbal communication skills; ability to explain technical information to varied audiences.
• Ability and willingness to travel up to 50% domestically.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with aeolian vibration, subspan oscillation, galloping, bundled conductors, or high-voltage / EHV (345 kV+) transmission lines.
• Experience with Vibrec, PLS-CADD, sag-tension tools, vibration recorders, accelerometers, or comparable analysis methods.
• Familiarity with IEC 61897, IEC 61854, IEEE 1368, CIGRE, or EPRI conductor-motion guidance.
• Experience at a transmission and distribution hardware OEM, utility, EPC, testing laboratory, or in product qualification, type testing, software requirements, or user acceptance testing.
• Knowledge of fiber-optic systems, LAN/WAN, data centers, structured cabling, FTTx, or network design may be useful for an assigned secondary product line, but is not a core motion-control requirement.

Working Conditions

• Hybrid work arrangement based in Duncan, South Carolina: three days in office and two days remote, subject to business needs.
• Office, laboratory, manufacturing floor, field, and customer-site environments.
• Up to 50% domestic travel for customer visits, technical training, field investigations, and industry events.

Disclaimer

This job description does not constitute an employment contract. Duties and requirements may change at the employer's discretion, and additional responsibilities may be assigned.