PRIMARY PURPOSE: The Applications Engineer position specializes in and participates in all the technical aspects of the VMRA projects and technical products by recruiting potential clients and explaining the benefits of what VMRA can do for them. The Applications Engineer duties include consulting on product development and explaining product features to customers during presentations.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Works with sales and engineering staff to develop quotes on new projects.
• Maintains and grows new business to maximize revenue & margin growth, while continuing efforts in new business development.
• Works with the customers and engineers to ensure the project meets the system requirements.
• Develops sales approaches and pitches that speak to the client’s needs, concerns and objectives.
• Manages project opportunities throughout the entire quoting phase.
• Identifies and creates new account relationships from leads, cold calls, scheduling appointments with customers and other internal sources.
• Prepares and conducts technical presentations to explain to customers via phone, MS Teams, or in person how VMRA products and services work.
• Establishes customer rapport and acceptance.
• Plans for engineering modifications to products to meet client’s demands.
• Recommends new and improved VMRA products to the clients and explains how those suggestions will be more cost-effective.
• Secures orders, guarantees product standards, and assures product delivery.
• Contributes to the Customer Relationship Management process, including responding to customer questions.
• Communicates with the sales team to understand the customer’s demands and offer sales support where necessary.
• Manages the Aftermarket Sales that includes quoting spare parts and working with procurement to place spare part orders.
• Works with the Accounting Department to manage spare part billings.
• Supports outsides sales efforts and the VP of Business Development as necessary.
• Provides timely and detailed status updates.
• Follows all safety rules, such as safe work practices and standard operating procedures.
• Ability to draft and draw in SolidWorks and DraftSight to create new project concepts in both (2D & 3D).
• Communicates with outside vendors to receive quotes for pricing/lead time of equipment used in concepts.
• Works closely with VMRA Test Engineering to establish testing requirements needed to validate design ideas during concepting.
• Ability to create robot simulations as needed.
• Facilitates handoff of information/correspondence gathered during concepting to Project Engineering upon project kickoff.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY/MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES:

No direct reports.

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

• Bachelors’ degree in Mechanical Engineering (BSME), Electrical Engineering (BSEE), or related field from an accredited college or university.
• 1 – 3 years engineering design experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Ability to draft and draw in SolidWorks to create new project concepts.
• SolidWorks & DraftSight experience preferred.
• Experience with automation or manufacturing related design.
• Knowledge of automation and manufacturing processes and designs.

GENERAL SKILLS/QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience working with various design software.
• Relevant experience with intricate mechanical designs.
• Ability to gauge the time and effort associated with completion of designs and tasks.
• Demonstrated ability to understand and execute designs according to engineering specifications.
• Experience working to create designs and drawings that meet multiple criteria, specifications, and standards.
• Proficiency in Microsoft applications such as Microsoft SharePoint, Excel, Teams, etc.
• Self-motivated and flexible attitude.
• Strong computer and mathematical skills.
• Exceptional communication skills.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Able to regularly lift and/or move up to 25 lbs. and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 lbs.
• Able to use close vision, distance vision, depth perception, color determination, and adjustment of focus.
• Regularly required to sit, stand, walk, talk, and hear.
• Occasionally required to bend, twist, climb, kneel and balance.
• Occasionally required to use hands to grasp, reach and operate objects, tools, or controls.
• Occasional exposure to a production environment.
• Must comply with any safety or PPE requirements.

Reasonable accommodations are made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works in outside weather conditions. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and in high, precarious places and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee of this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Travel is required approximately 30% of the job.

Travel is anticipated for this position as needed. Occasional overnight travel may be necessary. Some occasional local day travel may be necessary.