Applications Engineer II and Administrator

Applications Engineer II and Administrator

Location Victor, NY

Number of Openings 1

Full-Time/Part-Time Full-Time

Open Date 10/8/2024

Exempt/Non-Exempt Exempt

Shift -not applicable-

Description

Pay Range: $85,000 – $115,000

The Applications Engineer and Administrator is responsible for administrative tasks within the Applications Engineering department while maintaining the responsibilities and duties of an Applications Engineer II. This position will enhance the quality and consistency of engineering documentation, manage training initiatives, lead department projects, and support the department management.

Maintain the responsibilities and duties of an Applications Engineer II.

Review applications engineers quote documents to enhance quality and consistency. This involves attending brainstorming (BS) meetings for the project and reviewing customer documents related to the quote.

Identify methods to improve the quality and efficiency of PMD document creation.

Maintain records of Lunch and Learns.

Organize “floor walks” for machines and specific stations.

Communicate updates about tools and applications, including changes, new features, requirements, and improvements.

Develop and refine the onboarding process, updating the process document as needed.

Maintain the application process steps, seek ways to incorporate these into PMDb, present the data effectively, and ensure adherence to the process.

Ensure consistent skill levels in SolidWorks and Draftsight across the department.

Maintain the history file and identify areas that could aid in developing a costing tool, e.g., cost per station based on station types.

Create and maintain example documents for fixtures, pallets, weldments, robot tooling, etc.

Develop goals lists for quarterly and yearly projects.

Implement improvements to quote documents.

Develop a future cost sheet to break data files into a database and reduce code complexity. This will involve working with the development team.

Plan for a company-wide knowledge base.

Develop CM tools, including PMD standards, a repository of crucial items, and a checking system.

Improve how PMD is sold, focusing on tools different from sales tools applications, including sample drawing packages (controls and mechanical), manuals, etc.

Maintain a contact list for PMD.

Ensure everyone is fully aware of the tools and develop a Tips news article.

Create flow charts of processes.

Maintain a 2D and 3D library.

Manage the cost sheet data file.

Develop standard designs for both ME and applications.

Implement newly required or updated tools.

Support department management with interviews.

Partner with the Development department to create the Hashtags tool and other future initiatives.

Improve communication between applications and other departments, removing barriers.

Observe safety procedures.

Applications Engineer II

An Intermediate-Level Mechanical Automation Applications Engineer provides in-depth mechanical and electrical concepts, costing, and quote documents for custom machines based on a customers requirements and guidance from the apps department team and the sales group within PMD. This position will have duties including, but not limited to, the following:

This levels typical time is around two to eight years of experience. An application engineer at this level is learning and applying standard methods used in the automation industry. In the early years, they learn and apply automation guidelines under the guiding role of senior department members. In contrast, in later years, they become self-supporting with the approval of department members and the brainstorm (BS) team.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Essential Functions

Provided on-time technical design concepts for various customer-specific automation applications by developing sound, working mechanical, and control solutions.

Create accurate 2D machine floor plans with supporting 3D models as required.

Obtain and prepare detailed estimates of time, quantities, labor, and material costs required for mechanical and control design, software development, machine building and assembly, wire and pipe, equipment installations, and acceptance testing.

Follow the brainstorming (BS) process to prepare concepts for peers and the BS team.

Take guidance from the BS team on the final concept direction. The final concept is still the responsibility of the application engineer, as all the critical points do not always get discussed in BS meetings. The applications engineer needs to push untouched areas. “The devil is in the details.”

Analyze data from all compiled resources and write a concise proposal using Word templates.

Establish timing and sequence charts of all motion-based assembly and test tasks.

Follow the quoting process as defined by the applications department.

Lead kick-off meetings when PMD wins a project.

Guide the design team during the initial start of the design phase.

Unless the applications engineer has been formally trained in software like DraftSight, excel, word, and SolidWorks. Regularly, they should take YouTube training courses and review manuals to update themselves on the features and abilities of the software.

Define the scope of work thoroughly to allow the Project Team to begin work on the system.

Attending post-project review meetings to analyze the successes and opportunities for improvement of projects concerning profitability and technical satisfaction.

Travel to the customers site to gather project-critical information and assist in automation projects or product development.

Understanding and experiencing the principles of DFMA (Design for Manufacturing and Assembly)

Complete a tolerance analysis as required.

Required to win five or more million annually while maintaining profit margins on quoted projects.

Learn the technical part of automation.

Attend BS and ask questions, offer suggestions, be wrong, get shot down, and ask why.

Attend/run controls review meetings and ask questions. Complete a rough draft of the controls section of the quote document and review it with applications controls engineering.

Attending design review meetings.

Focus on listening and learning; ask questions when it’s not disruptive.

Walk the assembly floor with level 2 or 3 applications engineers, applications manager, or mechanical chief engineer when possible. Remote people must select a project in some phase and study the design.

Observe machines in debug to learn what is done and how long it takes.

Create machine concepts and learn why the concept works or does not.

Create process flow diagrams based on customer-supplied information.

Follow all jobs won through the installation.

Attending team meetings, customer calls, design meetings, etc., when possible.

Keep a list of lessons learned shared with the applications manager weekly to monthly.

Visit the floor during assembly & debug, ask questions (when not disruptive), and get to know the team.

Study YouTube videos of similar machines that might be found.

Complete special projects in support of Engineering, Sales, and Marketing, as assigned.

Any other task assigned by management within the scope of the position, as well as federal and state regulations.

Position Requirements

Education and Experience:

BS degree in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent experience. Preferred 3.0/4.0 or above grade average

Minimum of 3-year years of experience quoting automation equipment.

Applicant must possess a solid working knowledge of assembly and test automation industries with a minimum of three (3) years of automation machine design

Language Skills:

Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general technical procedures

Ability to write technical reports

Comfortable in presenting concepts and pricing information in a clear, concise manner suitable for technical audiences

Effective in listening and note-taking

Characteristics Necessary to Perform the Job:

Focused and willing to meet deadlines as required

Willing to travel as required

Organizational skills – computer file management and personal space

Able to work in a team environment

Detail oriented

Is driven to find the best solution to meet the customers needs

Required to understand new technologies clearly

Capable of visualizing concepts and developing complex mechanical and electrical solutions (Spatial reasoning skills)

Sharp business acumen – keep abreast of leading-edge technology

Reasoning Ability:

The applicant must be able to solve practical problems and deal with various variables in situations where only limited information exists.

Ability to interpret information furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form

Wide variety of duties requiring considerable judgment to work independently, such as devising new methods, adapting or changing standard procedures to meet new conditions, and making decisions guided by precedent and within established policies

Required Computer Skills:

AutoCAD or other 2D

SolidWorks or other 3D products

Advanced skills with Microsoft Office products with a critical focus on Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

Internet research

Computer savvy and not computer-challenged

EOE Statement Our company is committed to a policy of Equal Employment Opportunity with respect to all employees and applicants for employment. This policy prohibits discrimination against all legally protected classes including, but not limited to: race, color, sex, age, disability, religion, citizenship, national origin, ancestry, military status or veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, predisposing genetic characteristics, pregnancy, domestic victim status, or any other status protected by law.

Applicants can learn more about the companys status as an equal opportunity employer by viewing the federal “EEO is the Law” poster at http://www.eeoc.gov/employers/upload/eeocselfprintposter.pdf

Pay Range

This position is currently accepting applications.