Application Engineer

Flexitech; New Boston (MI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Flexitech, a global automotive supplier, seeks a Senior Applications Engineer to lead customer development projects from RFQ to production launch. You will be the main technical interface with customers and work with cross-functional teams to deliver optimized, cost-conscious solutions.

The role requires strong CAD/IPS knowledge, DOE-style problem solving, and experience in automotive development processes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's/Master's degree in Mechanical/Automotive Materials or related field.
• Experience in automotive product development or engineering projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead engineering activities from RFQ through product launch.
• Develop technical solutions aligned with customer requirements and Design-to-Cost principles.
• Coordinate design, prototyping and validation activities.
• Ensure engineering deliverables are achieved on time and meet milestones.
• Act as the primary technical interface with customers.
• Collaborate with Project Management, Sales, Manufacturing and Testing teams.
• Lead technical reviews and mitigate technical risks.
• Support product validation, continuous improvement and cost optimization initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with automotive development standards and best practices.
• Contribute to successful product launches and long-term customer satisfaction.

Skills

Customer focus

Communication

Stakeholder mgmt

Cross-functional

Spanish (asset)

Education

Mechanical Eng (BSc/MSc)

Tools

CATIA

IPS simulation

Job description

Applications Engineer Automotive Industry (F/M)

About Flexitech

Flexitech is a global automotive supplier specializing in the design and manufacturing of braking and thermal management systems. With more than 1,300 employees across 7 countries, we partner with leading automotive OEMs and Tier-1 suppliers to deliver innovative, high-quality solutions that meet the highest standards of safety, quality and performance.

Driven by innovation, engineering excellence and customer satisfaction, we are committed to developing technologies that shape the future of mobility.

About the Opportunity

As part of our continued growth, we are looking for a Senior Applications Engineer to join our global Engineering team.

In this role, you will lead the engineering activities for customer development projects from the RFQ phase through product validation and production launch. As the primary technical interface with customers, you will transform technical requirements into innovative and competitive solutions while working closely with cross-functional teams to ensure successful project execution.

This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to international automotive programs, collaborate with global teams and play a key role in delivering engineering excellence to some of the world's leading vehicle manufacturers.

Key Responsibilities

Lead Customer Engineering Projects

• Lead engineering activities from RFQ through product launch.
• Develop technical solutions aligned with customer requirements and Design-to-Cost principles.
• Coordinate design, prototyping and validation activities.
• Ensure engineering deliverables are achieved on time and meet project milestones.

Drive Customer & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Act as the primary technical interface with customers.
• Collaborate closely with Project Management, Sales, Manufacturing and Testing teams.
• Lead technical reviews and support customer development activities.
• Identify technical risks and implement effective mitigation plans.
• Support product validation, continuous improvement and cost optimization initiatives.
• Lead technical problem-solving using structured methodologies.
• Ensure compliance with automotive development standards and engineering best practices.
• Contribute to successful product launches and long-term customer satisfaction.

Required Profile

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, Materials Science or a related field.
• Minimum 3-5 years of experience in automotive product development, ideally within a Tier-1 supplier.
• Experience in brake hose applications would be highly valued.
• Solid understanding of automotive development processes, including APQP, Stage Gate, DFMEA and Design Validation.
• Experience with CAD software (CATIA preferred); IPS simulation knowledge is a plus.
• Familiarity with structured problem-solving methodologies such as 8D, PDCA and Fishbone.
• Strong customer focus with excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to work in an international, cross-functional environment.
• Spanish would be considered an asset.

Why Join Flexitech?

Joining Flexitech means becoming part of a global automotive supplier committed to innovation, quality and engineering excellence.

You’ll have the opportunity to:

• Work on innovative projects with leading global automotive manufacturers.
• Collaborate with international and multicultural teams.
• Develop your expertise in a dynamic and fast-paced automotive environment.
• Contribute to technologies that shape the future of mobility.

If you're passionate about engineering, customer collaboration and delivering innovative automotive solutions, we'd love to hear from you.