Application Engineer 2

Watlow; Hillsboro (OR); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Watlow is seeking an Application Engineer II to provide technical support, advise on product selection and programming, and prepare quotes for standard and modified products. You will translate customer needs into clear production instructions and work closely with Sales, Engineering, Manufacturing, and Quality on projects and investigations.

The role blends customer-facing technical support with hands-on engineering activities, requiring strong communication, problem solving, and collaboration

Qualifications

• This role requires a degree in engineering or related experience with 5–8 years in technical support or applications.
• Ability to develop quotes for standard and modified products within pricing guidelines.
• Strong customer-facing communication and presentation capabilities are essential.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical advice on product selection and programming for control products.
• Prepare quotes and translate customer needs into production instructions.
• Collaborate with Sales, Engineering, and Operations to support projects and investigations.
• Support prototypes, rework orders, and quality investigations as needed.
• Maintain relationships with customers and assist in growth strategies.

Skills

Customer-facing communication

Interpersonal skills

Active listening

Conflict resolution

Quotation development

Presentation skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Two-year degree with related experience

Tools

CAD software

Job description

Application Engineer II

Position Summary

The Application Engineer II provides technical support to customers, distributors, and sales partners by advising on product selection, application, setup, and programming. The role develops standard and modified quote proposals, supports smaller customer projects and product investigations, and serves as a technical liaison between customers, Sales, Engineering, and Operations. This position also prepares drawings and documentation, creates bills of material and routings, supports prototypes and rework orders, and conducts experiments and tests to help deliver practical, manufacturable solutions.

About the Role

This role combines customer-facing technical support with hands-on engineering and commercial activities. The Application Engineer II interprets customer requirements and drawings, translates needs into clear production instructions, and recommends solutions that align with product capabilities, pricing guidelines, quality expectations, and business needs. The position works with established products and modified standard offerings while recognizing when additional engineering or subject-matter expertise is needed.

Key Responsibilities

Customer and Technical Support

• Provide technical advice to sales agents, customers, and distributors, including training when needed.
• Advise on product selection, application, setup, and programming for control products.
• Prepare and present quotes for standard and modified products and services within pricing guidelines.
• Convert customer needs into clear instructions for production and support orders generated from quotes.
• Serve as a post-sale technical resource and maintain productive relationships with established customers.
• Support sales efforts to develop new customers and contribute to product growth strategies.
• Provide feedback on customer needs, product gaps, market trends, competitors, sales volume, and forecasts.

Product and Process Documentation

• Modify product and process designs.
• Create drawings and documentation supporting product and process design and development.
• Prepare CAD drawings for new parts and assemblies.
• Read and interpret customer drawings and specifications.
• Assemble bills of material and routings for standard or modified standard products.
• Process rework and prototype orders for standard and non-standard products.

Engineering, Quality, and Cross-Functional Support

• Partner with Engineering on smaller customer projects, product investigations, and technical information requests.
• Prepare tools, equipment, and prototypes and conduct experiments and tests as needed.
• Assist with returned-material issues and product investigations.
• Participate in quality investigations failure analysis and support corrective actions.
• Work effectively with Sales, Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Operations, customers, suppliers, and distributors.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering; or a two-year degree with related experience; or equivalent experience.
• Typically 5–8 years of related technical, applications, engineering, manufacturing, or customer-support experience.
• Knowledge of products, applications, and processes, with the ability to identify improvement opportunities.
• Strong customer-facing communication, interpersonal, listening, and conflict-resolution skills.
• Ability to assess business fit and recognize when additional evaluation or support is needed.
• Ability to develop quotations and work within established pricing guidelines.
• Ability to support presentations and other customer-facing activities.

Working Expectations

• Manage assigned activities.
• Solve problems and contribute as a team member or project lead on customer or internal projects.
• Demonstrate behaviors consistent with Watlow’s culture and values.
• Understand how decisions affect customers, quality, delivery, and expenses.

This job description describes the requirements, essential functions, and duties of the position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive listing of all activities, duties, or responsibilities that may be required. Watlow may require team members to perform other duties as assigned.