Field Application Engineer

AFC Industries Inc
  • Newton, IA
    4 days ago

    Job Description

    AFC Industries is a dynamic organization dedicated to providing supply chain management solutions for fasteners and assembly components to original equipment manufacturers, assembly plants, and other users of these products.

    We support a diverse industry base of manufacturers across a broad range of industries. Our experienced team has a proven track record of helping manufacturers and assemblers reduce cost, improve quality, and increase efficiency.

    We are A Company Culture Devoted to Innovation & Improvement

    AFC provides localized expertise to customers in particular industries and geographies. We don't have a traditional hierarchical management structure where everyone simply "reports up." Instead, our company is made up of on-the-ground experts operating in an entrepreneurial fashion with the backing and support of an enterprise-grade organization.

    Sharing cultural values breeds consistency and quality throughout our organization. Collectively, we are committed to a simple management approach, which influences our company culture and our management style.

    Key Responsibilities

    • Develop and close business opportunities by delivering engineered cutting tool solutions that improve machining performance, productivity, and cost efficiency
    • Provide on-site technical support at customer facilities, including troubleshooting machining issues, optimizing tooling and cutting parameters, and improving process stability
    • Conduct detailed manufacturing line audits (with emphasis on CNC machining, metal cutting, and tool performance) to identify productivity gains, cost savings, and new business opportunities
    • Lead Value Analysis / Value Engineering initiatives focused on cycle-time reduction, tool life improvement, scrap reduction, and overall cost-per-part optimization
    • Support and execute tooling trials, run-offs, and process validations for new and existing applications
    • Collaborate with customers' manufacturing, process engineering, and production teams to resolve technical challenges related to cutting tools, tool wear, surface finish, and dimensional control
    • Assist in new product launches by supporting APQP processes, including manufacturability reviews, tooling selection, and process capability optimization
    • Work closely with cutting tool manufacturers and vendors to resolve tool performance or quality issues and recommend improvements
    • Drive standardization and consolidation of cutting tools and machining processes to reduce complexity and total cost of ownership
    • Participate in customer business reviews and provide technical insights tied to performance metrics and continuous improvement initiatives
    • Deliver technical training for customers and internal teams on topics such as cutting tool selection, machining fundamentals, tool wear analysis, and advanced metal cutting strategies
    • Collaborate cross-functionally (Sales, Quality, Sourcing, Operations) to ensure timely resolution of technical and commercial issues
    • Support customer R&D and process development initiatives through application engineering and tooling recommendations (without assuming product design ownership)
    • Ensure all activities align with ISO standards, safety practices, and risk mitigation to protect both the customer and organization

    Professional Experience Requirements

    Education

    • Bachelor's degree in engineering (Mechanical, Manufacturing, Industrial) or related technical field, or equivalent hands-on machining/application experience.

    Work Experience

    • Minimum of 5 years of experience in a cutting tool application, machining environment, or metalworking industry
    • Strong background supporting customers on the shop floor, including CNC machining centers (milling, turning, drilling, tapping, etc.)
    • Demonstrated experience optimizing cutting parameters, tool selection, and machining processes
    • Experience working directly with customers to troubleshoot and resolve technical production issues
    • Experience with cutting tool materials and technologies (carbide, coatings, geometries, high-speed machining, etc.)
    • Knowledge of relevant industry standards (ANSI, ISO, ASME) and machining best practices

    Professional Skills

    • Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to diagnose machining issues and implement effective, data-driven solutions
    • Excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain complex machining concepts to operators, engineers, and executives
    • Proven ability to manage multiple projects, customer priorities, and field activities independently
    • Hands-on, solution-oriented mindset with a high level of mechanical aptitude
    • Ability to build credibility and trust with customers through technical expertise and responsiveness

    Salary Target is 100k plus depending on experience

    Benefits:

    • 401(k)
    • 401(k) matching
    • Dental insurance
    • Flexible spending account
    • Health insurance
    • Life insurance
    • Paid time off
    • Vision insurance

    We are an AA/EEO/Veterans/Disabled employer.

    Qualifications:

    Numbers & Facts

    LocationNewton, IA

    Skills

    • Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP)unmatched
    • American National Standards Institute (ANSI)unmatched
    • Analysis Skillsunmatched
    • Assembly Equipmentunmatched
    • Assembly Lineunmatched
    • Best Practicesunmatched
    • Business Developmentunmatched
    • CNC (Computerized Numerical Control) Systemsunmatched
    • Communication Skillsunmatched
    • Component Assemblyunmatched
    • Continuous Improvementunmatched
    • Cost Controlunmatched
    • Cross-Functionalunmatched
    • Customer Support/Serviceunmatched
    • Customer Trainingunmatched
    • Cutting Toolsunmatched
    • Drillingunmatched
    • Entrepreneurshipunmatched
    • ISO (International Organization for Standardization)unmatched
    • Identify Issuesunmatched
    • Industry Standardsunmatched
    • Machine Toolunmatched
    • Machiningunmatched
    • Manufacturingunmatched
    • Manufacturing Assemblyunmatched
    • Manufacturing Auditunmatched
    • Manufacturing Process Engineeringunmatched
    • Mechanical Engineeringunmatched
    • Metal Cuttingunmatched
    • Metalworkingunmatched
    • Multitaskingunmatched
    • On Site Supportunmatched
    • Performance Managementunmatched
    • Performance Metricsunmatched
    • Problem Solving Skillsunmatched
    • Process Capabilityunmatched
    • Process Developmentunmatched
    • Process Improvementunmatched
    • Product Designunmatched
    • Product Supportunmatched
    • Product/Service Launchunmatched
    • Project/Program Managementunmatched
    • Quality Managementunmatched
    • Research & Development (R&D)unmatched
    • Risk Managementunmatched
    • Salesunmatched
    • Sales/Support Engineering (SE)unmatched
    • Software Engineeringunmatched
    • Supply Chain Managementunmatched
    • Technical Supportunmatched
    • Technical Trainingunmatched
    • Time Managementunmatched
    • Tool and Die Manufacturingunmatched
    • Total Cost of Ownershipunmatched
    • Value Analysisunmatched
    • Value Engineeringunmatched

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