Applications Engineering Manager

Vaco by Highspring; Oakland Park (FL); On-site; USD 142,000 - 156,000; Full time

Job summary

Vaco by Highspring in Oakland Park, FL is seeking an Applications Engineering Manager to lead the Applications Engineering team and translate customer needs into effective product and engineering solutions. The role combines people leadership, applications engineering, product development, project management, and customer support.

The manager will oversee the design and development of new applications as well as modifications to existing products, ensuring solutions meet customer requirements,

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of engineering experience.
• At least 1-3 years of supervisory or engineering leadership experience.
• Experience with applications engineering, product development, or customer-specific engineering solutions.
• Experience working directly with customers to understand technical requirements and develop solutions.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor the Applications Engineering team and provide technical guidance on projects.
• Oversee product development lifecycle and balance customer needs with long-term strategy.
• Coordinate with Product Management and R&D on development, testing, feedback, and improvements.
• Manage projects to ensure on-time delivery within budget and with quality standards.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Sales, Marketing, Quality, and executive leadership.
• Develop and implement customer-focused engineering solutions and documentation.
• Support compliance with ISO and regulatory requirements.

Skills

People leadership

Mentoring

Project management

Customer-focused

Data-driven

Engineering knowledge

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related technical field

Job description

Position Summary

Vaco is hiring an Applications Engineering Manager

Location: Oakland Park, FL

Compensation: $142-$156/annually

The Applications Engineering Manager I leads the Applications Engineering team responsible for translating customer technical needs into effective product and engineering solutions.

This role combines people leadership, applications engineering, product development, project management, and customer support. The manager will oversee the design and development of new applications as well as modifications to existing products, ensuring solutions meet customer requirements, regulatory standards, quality expectations, timelines, and budgets.

The position works closely with Product Management, R&D, Sales, Marketing, Engineering, customers, and executive leadership.

Key Responsibilities

Team Leadership & Development

• Manage the day-to-day activities and priorities of the Applications Engineering team.
• Mentor, coach, and develop Applications Engineers.
• Provide technical guidance on projects, tasks, and engineering challenges.
• Build a strong customer-first and data-driven culture within the team.
• Ensure team priorities align with customer needs and organizational objectives.

Applications Engineering & Customer Solutions

• Review and analyze customer technical requirements.
• Recommend appropriate products, applications, and technical solutions.
• Engage directly with customers to understand requirements and develop tailored solutions.
• Evaluate the capabilities of existing products and systems to determine their suitability for specific applications.
• Identify when existing products require modification or redesign to meet customer needs.
• Resolve technical and application issues quickly and creatively.

Product Development

• Manage the product development lifecycle including both evolutionary improvements and new product development.
• Lead and participate in application development and design discussions.
• Recommend design solutions while balancing immediate customer needs with longer-term product strategy.
• Work closely with Product Management and R&D throughout:
  • Development
  • Testing
  • Customer feedback
  • Product improvements

Project Management

• Oversee applications engineering projects from requirements through completion.
• Ensure projects are delivered on time and within budget.
• Analyze business and customer requirements to coordinate application development and maintenance.
• Manage multiple priorities while balancing strategic and tactical objectives.
• Collaborate with executive leadership on project prioritization and resource needs.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner closely with:
  • R&D/Engineering
  • Product Management
  • Sales
  • Marketing
  • Quality
  • Executive Leadership
• Ensure product offerings and engineering solutions align with customer and market requirements.
• Serve as a bridge between customers, commercial teams, and Engineering.

Technical Support & Documentation

• Develop and implement technical support procedures and manuals.
• Provide technical guidance to internal teams and customers.
• Identify opportunities for product enhancements based on customer feedback and application requirements.
• Support new technologies and applications as they are introduced.

Quality, Safety & Compliance

• Ensure engineering processes follow established quality standards and industry best practices.
• Participate in ISO certification/compliance activities, as applicable.
• Ensure applications and product solutions meet applicable:
  • Local regulations
  • State regulations
  • Federal regulations
  • Safety requirements
  • Internal quality standards
• Partner with Engineering/R&D to develop secure, scalable, responsive, and reliable securement applications.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related technical field.

Experience

• Minimum 5 years of engineering experience.
• At least 1-3 years of supervisory or engineering leadership experience.
• Experience managing or mentoring engineers.
• Experience with applications engineering, product development, or customer-specific engineering solutions.
• Experience working directly with customers to understand technical requirements and develop solutions.

Technical Background

Strong knowledge or experience with:

• Engineering principles and design
• Project management
• Product development lifecycles
• Mechanical systems
• Electromechanical systems
• Safety-related products/systems
• Customer-specific applicationsEngineering testing and validation
• Technical and regulatory requirements

Experience with mobility, transportation, wheelchair securement, vehicle safety systems, or similar safety-critical products would be particularly relevant.

Leadership & Professional Skills

• Strong people-management and mentoring skills.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Strong written and verbal communication.
• Ability to resolve technical issues quickly and creatively.
• Strong attention to detail and project organization.
• Ability to operate comfortably in both technical and business discussions.
• Ability to communicate effectively with customers, engineers, Product Management, and executive leadership.
• Strong desire to continuously expand technical knowledge and learn new technologies.

Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco/Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to the individual's skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, office location and other geographic considerations, as well as other business and organizational needs. With that said, as required by local law in geographies that require salary range disclosure, Vaco/Highspring notes the salary range for the role is noted in this job posting. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses, and can participate in medical, dental, and vision benefits as well as the company's 401(k) retirement plan. Additional disclaimer: Unless otherwise noted in the job description, the position Vaco/Highspring is filing for is occupied. Please note, however, that Vaco/Highspring is regularly asked to provide talent to other organizations. By submitting to this position, you are agreeing to be included in our talent pool for future hiring for similarly qualified positions. Submissions to this position are subject to the use of AI to perform preliminary candidate screenings, focused on ensuring minimum job requirements noted in the position are satisfied. Further assessment of candidates beyond this initial phase within Vaco/Highspring will be otherwise assessed by recruiters and hiring managers. Vaco/Highspring does not have knowledge of the tools used by its clients in making final hiring decisions and cannot opine on their use of AI products.

Equal Opportunity Notice

Highspring LLC (d/b/a Vaco by Highspring) and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries (\"we,\" \"our,\" or \"Vaco by Highspring\") are committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race (including but not limited to traits historically associated with race such as hair texture and hair style), color, sex (includes pregnancy or related conditions), religion or creed, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, status as a veteran, union membership, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation, or any other protected characteristics as required by applicable law. The company is also committed to ensuring that persons who need them are provided with reasonable accommodations; if an accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact [e-mail].

Representation Notice

By submitting to this position, you agree that you will be giving Vaco by Highspring the exclusive right to present your as a candidate for the foregoing employment opportunity. Additionally, you agree to be included in our talent pool for future hiring for similarly qualified positions. You further agree that you have represented information about yourself accurately and have not affirmatively misrepresented your qualifications. Lastly, you agree to maintain as confidential, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any information you learn from Vaco by Highspring about the position and you will limit disclosure of information about the position only to the extent necessary to perform any obligations in furtherance of your application. In exchange, Vaco by Highspring agrees to exercise reasonable efforts to represent you through all solicitation, job screening and resume dispersal.

Privacy Notice

Vaco by Highspring respects your privacy and are committed to providing transparent notice of our policies.

• California residents may access Vaco by Highspring HR Notice at Collection for California Applicants and Employees here.
• Virginia residents may access our state specific policies here.
• Residents of all other states may access our policies here.
• Canadian residents may access our policies in English here and in French here.
• Residents of countries governed by GDPR and UK GDPR may access our policies here.

Additional Information Regarding AI Use

Additionally, submissions to this position are subject to the use of AI to perform preliminary candidate screenings, focused on ensuring minimum job requirements noted in the position are satisfied. More details about Vaco by Highspring's use of AI can be found here (https://www.highspring.com/ai-use-notices/). Further assessment of candidates beyond this initial phase will be conducted by recruiters and hiring managers. Vaco by Highspring does not know and cannot opine on if its client's use of AI products in hiring.

Pay Transparency Notice

Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco by Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to:

• the individual's skill sets, experience and training;
• licensure and certification requirements;
• office location and other geographic considerations; and
• other business and organizational needs.

With that said, as required by local law, Vaco by Highspring believes that the following salary range referenced above reasonably estimates the base compensation for an individual hired into this position in geographies that require salary range disclosure. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses and/or participation in medical, dental, and vision benefits as well as the company's retirement plan (or similar retirement benefits).