Application Engineering Manager

VSM Abrasives USA; O’Fallon (MO); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

VSM Abrasives USA is seeking an Application Engineering Manager to lead product introduction and technical engineering for customers, sales, and internal operations. The role links engineering, sales, and operations to ensure successful product application and customer satisfaction.

You will manage field engineering initiatives, oversee application activities, and drive projects related to new product implementation and process improvements. Located in the St.

Qualifications

• Outside technical sales experience is required.
• Excellent verbal, written, and organizational skills.
• Must be local to the St. Louis area or willing to relocate to the St. Louis area.
• Position requires to be in office 90% of the time with limited work from home.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the technical lead supporting the sales team, distributors, and customers.
• Provide advanced product expertise and application recommendations to support sales growth.
• Manage field application engineering projects from initial customer engagement through implementation.
• Conduct onsite product testing, evaluations, and demonstrations at customer facilities.
• Diagnose application challenges and provide technical solutions that improve customer processes and product performance.
• Deliver technical presentations and training to customers, distributors, and internal sales teams.
• Act as the primary engineering liaison for key customer projects and technical initiatives.
• Support new product introductions and customer trials.
• Lead and manage technical projects related to product implementation, process improvements, and customer application solutions.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams including sales, engineering, operations, and quality to ensure successful project delivery.
• Establish project timelines, milestones, and deliverables while ensuring projects stay on schedule.
• Track project progress and communicate updates to leadership.
• Identify risks and develop mitigation strategies to maintain project objectives.
• Develop and implement SOPs for line operations and product applications.
• Provide technical troubleshooting and problem-solving support for production issues.
• Work closely with operations to ensure product performance and compliance.
• Train internal teams on technical processes, SOPs, and product applications.
• Conduct product performance evaluations and quality checks.
• Provide guidance and technical leadership to field application engineers.
• Collaborate with engineering leadership to align field application strategy with company goals.
• Assist in developing technical training programs and knowledge resources.
• Promote a strong customer-focused engineering culture.
• Travel may be required for up to 25% of the time.

Skills

Sales experience

Material science

Verbal communication

Written communication

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelors in Engineering

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Application Engineering Manager – Job Description

The Application Engineering Manager is responsible for leading product introduction and technical engineering for customers, sales and internal operations. This role serves as a critical link between engineering, sales, and operations to ensure successful product application, customer satisfaction, and new product introduction.

The position manages the field engineering team initiatives, oversees application engineering activities, and leads projects related to new product implementation, process improvement, and customer solutions. This role reports to the VP of Engineering and collaborates closely with Sales and Operations.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Other duties may be assigned as needed.

• Serve as the technical lead supporting the sales team, distributors, and customers.
• Provide advanced product expertise and application recommendations to support sales growth.
• Manage field application engineering projects from initial customer engagement through implementation.
• Conduct onsite product testing, evaluations, and demonstrations at customer facilities.
• Diagnose application challenges and providing technical solutions that improve customer processes and product performance.
• Deliver technical presentations and training to customers, distributors, and internal sales teams.
• Act as the primary engineering liaison for key customer projects and technical initiatives.
• Support new product introductions and customer trials.
• Lead and manage technical projects related to product implementation, process improvements, and customer application solutions.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams including sales, engineering, operations, and quality to ensure successful project delivery.
• Establish project timelines, milestones, and deliverables while ensuring projects stay on schedule.
• Track project progress and communicate updates to leadership.
• Identify risks and develop mitigation strategies to maintain project objectives.
• Develop and implement Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for line operations and product applications.
• Provide technical troubleshooting and problem-solving support for production issues.
• Work closely with operations to ensure product performance and compliance.
• Train internal teams on technical processes, SOPs, and product applications.
• Conduct product performance evaluations and quality checks.
• Provide guidance and technical leadership to field application engineers.
• Collaborate with engineering leadership to align field application strategy with company goals.
• Assist in developing technical training programs and knowledge resources.
• Promote a strong customer-focused engineering culture.
• Travel may be required for up to 25% of the time.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Outside technical sales experience is required. Must be local to the St. Louis area or willing to relocate to the St. Louis area. This position requires to be in office 90% of the time with limited work from home.

Education and Experience

• 4-year technical degree (Engineering or Applied Sciences).
• Outside technical sales experience.
• Material Science knowledge.
• Excellent verbal, written, and organizational skills.
• Microsoft Office programs.
• Customer service oriented.
• Ability to multi-task, prioritize and manage time effectively.