Application Engineer

Spirax-Sarco Engineering; Cary (IL); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Spirax-Sarco Engineering's Electrical Thermal Solutions (ETS) unit in Cary, IL, is seeking an Application Engineer to analyze customer heating and temperature control needs and develop cost-effective, technically sound, commercially competitive solutions.

You will serve as a primary technical liaison among customers, sales, engineering, estimating, purchasing, and manufacturing, developing quotations, supporting orders, and guiding custom thermal solutions from inquiry through order execution.

Qualifications

• 3+ years in applications/engineering or related industrial manufacturing.
• Degree in engineering preferred; equivalent education/experience considered.
• Ability to interpret drawings and customer requirements.

Responsibilities

• Design and quote technically sound, commercially competitive thermal solutions.
• Interpret specifications, drawings, and requirements for projects.
• Serve as technical contact for customers, reps, and sales engineers.
• Coordinate quotation, sample, approval-drawing, and order-entry activities.
• Lead cross-functional reviews to align scope, cost, and delivery.

Skills

Analytical skills

Time management

Communication skills

Presentation skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical, Manufacturing, or related engineering

Tools

ERP

CRM

Product configuration

Quotation tools

Job description

Application Engineer

Composed of Chromalox, Durex Industries, Vulcanic, and Thermocoax businesses, Electrical Thermal Solutions (ETS), part of Spirax Group, creates electrical process heating and temperature management solutions, including industrial heaters and systems, heat tracing, and a range of component technologies.

Durex Industries has over 40 years’ expertise in the thermal control business. A trusted custom thermal solutions supplier and engineering design partner for customers across a range of industry sectors, it also offers engineering, manufacturing, testing and laboratory and quality assurance services. Durex serves businesses in sectors including process industries, life sciences, plastics processing, food and packaging, aerospace, defense, and security. Its innovative bespoke solutions – such as retrofitting heating elements to prevent outdoor beverage dispensers from failing in low temperatures and custom-made circulation heaters to heat fuel in large ship engines. Join us as we continue to provide solutions to our customers and the world!

The Role:

Under the supervision of the Manager of Application Engineering, the Application Engineer analyzes customer heating and temperature control requirements to develop innovative, technically sound, and commercially competitive solutions.

This role serves as a key technical liaison among customers, sales, engineering, estimating, purchasing, and manufacturing. The Application Engineer develops cost-effective quotations, provides application and order support, and helps guide custom thermal solutions from initial inquiry through order execution.

Your Responsibilities:

• Design and quote technically sound, commercially competitive solutions for standard and customer-specific thermal applications, including electric heaters, temperature sensors, controls, and integrated process heating systems.
• Interpret customer specifications, engineering drawings, process requirements, and terms and conditions to identify technical, commercial, quality, and delivery requirements.
• Serve as a primary technical point of contact for customers, representatives, and sales engineers throughout the quotation and order process.
• Coordinate quotation, sample, approval-drawing, and order-entry activities with sales, estimating, engineering, purchasing, project management, and plant personnel.
• Apply knowledge of customer applications, served markets, and competitive alternatives to recommend optimal thermal solutions.
• Determine material, labor, tooling, testing, and related cost requirements by collaborating with engineering, estimating, purchasing, and manufacturing.
• Manage pricing and margin targets for key accounts and new business opportunities in alignment with commercial objectives.
• Evaluate manufacturability, technical risk, lead time, and compliance considerations before finalizing proposed solutions.
• Use product design, configuration, ERP, CRM, and pricing tools accurately and efficiently.
• Assist customers and representatives in troubleshooting equipment, product, and application issues.
• Lead cross-functional reviews for complex or high-value opportunities to align scope, technical requirements, cost, capacity, and delivery commitments.
• Communicate quotation status, technical clarifications, risks, and anticipated delivery dates clearly to internal and external stakeholders.
• Document, analyze, and improve application engineering and quotation processes to increase efficiency, accuracy, and customer satisfaction.
• Support continuous improvement and strategic projects as required and provide technical guidance to less-experienced team members as appropriate.

Requirements:

• 3+ years of experience in applications engineering, product engineering, process engineering, technical sales support, or a related industrial manufacturing environment.
• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical, Manufacturing, or a related engineering discipline preferred; equivalent relevant technical education and experience will be considered.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, technical specifications, and customer requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to apply engineering principles to customer-specific products or applications.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and related business applications.
• Strong organizational, analytical, problem-solving, and time-management skills, with attention to detail in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.
• Excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate technical information effectively to customers and internal audiences.
• Strong customer service skills and the ability to manage multiple quotations, priorities, and deadlines.
• Experience with heat transfer, temperature measurement, process heating, electric heaters, or industrial thermal systems is preferred.
• Experience supporting custom-engineered products in a manufacturing environment is preferred.
• Experience with ERP, CRM, product configuration, or quotation tools is preferred.

At Durex Industries, we are not just an employer but a champion of equal opportunities and inclusivity. We are dedicated to fostering a workplace that adheres to the highest hiring standards and is free from discrimination and harassment. Durex Industries is an equal opportunity employer; our commitment extends to all aspects of employment, ensuring that no individual is mistreated or discriminated against based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as defined by federal, state, or local laws.