Application Engineering Director

Holland Applied Technologies; Burr Ridge (IL); On-site; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Holland Applied Technologies in the United States seeks an Applications Engineering Director to drive technical excellence, sales support, and operational efficiency in sanitary process industries including food & beverage, dairy, and pharma.

You will lead application engineering, inside sales, and collaborate with project management and leadership to deliver best-in-class solutions, mentor staff, and ensure profitable growth through strong pricing and customer engagement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering (Mechanical, Chemical, Biological Systems, or related field) required.
• 10+ years in sanitary process engineering, project management, or technical sales with leadership experience.
• Strong knowledge of sanitary fluid process systems, pumps, valves, and mechanical systems.
• Proficiency in process design software (AutoCAD or similar) and Microsoft Office Suite.

Responsibilities

• Provide SME guidance on sanitary process systems, equipment selection, and project execution.
• Lead technical reviews, P&ID reviews, and integration plans for complex projects.
• Mentor application engineers and inside sales staff; drive training and development.
• Coordinate with outside sales, project management, and leadership to deliver solutions and proposals.
• Drive pricing, quotes, and margin controls for proposals and contracts.

Skills

Sanitary process engineering

Leadership experience

Pricing strategies

Contract negotiation

Communication

AutoCAD

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Advanced degree or PMP certification preferred

Tools

AutoCAD

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

The Application Engineering Director is a senior leadership role responsible for driving technical excellence, strategic sales support, and operational efficiency within the sanitary process industry. This position combines deep engineering expertise with strong leadership and commercial acumen to ensure seamless integration of technical solutions, superior client experience, and profitable growth.

The Director will oversee application engineering, inside sales operations, and collaborate closely with project management, outside sales, and executive leadership to deliver best-in-class solutions for food & beverage, dairy, and pharmaceutical clients.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Oversight & Application Engineering

• Serve as the subject matter expert (SME) for sanitary process systems, pumps, valves, and fluid handling equipment.
• Lead technical reviews, equipment sizing, and selection to ensure compliance with sanitary standards and process requirements.
• Oversee preparation of technical proposals, P&ID reviews, and integration plans for complex projects.
• Mentor and develop engineering staff, creating training paths for technical and leadership growth.

Team Development & Performance

• Lead, motivate, and coach application engineers and inside sales professionals.
• Conduct performance evaluations, provide constructive feedback, and implement corrective actions as needed.
• Develop training materials and guidelines to enhance technical and commercial capabilities.
• Direct inside sales team activities, ensuring timely and accurate quotations for equipment and services.
• Collaborate with outside sales to provide technical expertise and support during client engagements.
• Evaluate vendor quotes for alignment with client specifications and project goals.
• Implement best practices for pricing, margin control, and quote accuracy.

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and implement strategies for application engineering and inside sales to align with company growth objectives.
• Drive continuous improvement in technical processes, documentation standards, and customer engagement.
• Participate in long-term planning for engineering and sales operations and work with organization on continuous improvement.

Client & Stakeholder Engagement

• Act as a trusted subject matter expert with the outside sales team to clients, integrators, and engineering firms and assist in delivering technical presentations and solution recommendations.
• Coordinate with vendors, subcontractors, and internal teams to ensure project success and customer satisfaction.

Project Management

• Identify and mitigate risks related to technical solutions, resource allocation, and project execution for those large projects as assigned.

Required Skills & Experience

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in engineering (Mechanical, Chemical, Biological Systems, or related field). Advanced degree or PMP certification preferred.
• Experience: 10+ years in sanitary process engineering, project management, or technical sales, with proven leadership experience.
• Industry Expertise: Strong knowledge of sanitary fluid process systems, pumps, valves, and mechanical systems supporting food & beverage, dairy, and pharmaceutical industries.
• Leadership: Ability to build and lead high-performing technical and sales teams.
• Technical Skills: Proficiency in process design software (AutoCAD or similar) and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Commercial Acumen: Experience in pricing strategies, margin analysis, and contract negotiation.
• Communication: Exceptional ability to present technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.