Application Engineer

About the role

Application Engineer Role at Field

Position Overview

The Application Engineer role at Field is a technical position focused on fastening solutions and customer collaboration. The role combines engineering analysis, customer interaction, and cross-functional coordination to resolve manufacturing challenges. Field is a global supplier of fasteners, "C" commodities, inventory management services, and technical support. The company operates from multiple locations including Rockford, Illinois, Texas, South Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Mexico, and Taiwan. Field has achieved an average annual growth rate of 19 percent over more than 30 years by helping customers lower total cost and improve quality through a technical approach to fasteners.

This position reports to the Engineering Manager and has no direct reports. It is based in Machesney Park, Illinois, or Columbus, Ohio. The role is full time with a salary range of $65,000 to $85,000. All full-time positions at Field are eligible for benefits including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(k), life coaching, paid vacation, paid holidays, paid volunteer time, quarterly bonuses, and additional benefits.

Key Responsibilities

The Application Engineer translates demanding customer requirements into actionable fastening pathways. The role owns solutions from initial contact through validated shipment. Responsibilities include evaluating fastening applications, recommending technical solutions, supporting cost-savings opportunities, and validating product performance. The position guides partners through change implementation while ensuring traceability and alignment across production and logistics teams.

Key duties include designing intake workflows to clarify fastener needs and map constraints before detailed modeling begins. The role constructs virtual and physical assemblies to simulate performance and iterates geometry and materials for fit and function. Coordination of review sessions brings together test data, customer specifications, and quality limits for joint examination. Validated configurations are shipped after documenting methods, tolerances, and handling rules to ensure reliable dispatch.

The role leads technical presentations that explain tradeoffs, risks, and recommendations to diverse stakeholders. It maintains solution integrity through rigorous follow-up, confirming field performance and capturing lessons for future programs. The Application Engineer supports cost-savings initiatives by challenging current designs, materials, and processes with structured comparisons.

Required Qualifications

Applicants must hold a mechanical engineering degree or equivalent practical experience that demonstrates the same capability. Hands-on familiarity with fastener systems, testing methods, and workshop tools is necessary to evaluate real-world behavior. Effective written and verbal communication skills are required to interact with customers, internal teams, and partners across varied technical maturity levels.

Proficiency in CAD tools and data organization is required to manage geometry, revisions, and related documentation efficiently. The candidate must be comfortable working independently and within cross-functional groups, aligning priorities under varying time pressures.

Preferred Qualifications and Skills

Experience serving discrete manufacturing, industrial equipment, or similar sectors where fasteners affect line uptime is preferred. Skills include the use of CAD, Microsoft Office, and ERP systems. Field encourages candidates to review the official apply page for precise details and current requirements.

Company Recognition and Culture

Field has been recognized nationally by Great Places to Work as one of the Best Small Companies in America, ranking number eight nationally among small companies and number five among manufacturing and production companies. The company was also recognized by INC. magazine as one of the fastest growing privately owned companies in the USA. For several years, Field has been recognized locally by the Rockford Register Star as one of the top employers in the area.

The Field culture is built on Integrity, Commitment, Teamwork, Innovation, Flexibility, and Fun. The company views having a great culture as more than a priority-it is everything. Individuals who join Field experience an exceptional environment dedicated to lowering customer costs and improving quality. More information about the culture and company is available through the provided resources.