Field Application Engineer, Staff

Bourns, Inc.; Auburn Hills (MI); On-site; USD 130,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Bourns, Inc. is seeking a Field Application Engineer, Staff, to support customers and sales teams across the Northeastern Region with a strong mix of technical and commercial responsibilities.

The ideal candidate will be based in the Boston area and travel up to 50% to engage with customers and partners. The role requires a BS in Electrical Engineering (MS preferred) and 5–10 years of relevant experience in component sales or applications engineering.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering is required, with preference for MS in Electrical Engineering.
• 5–10 years of component sales and/or applications or sales engineering experience desired.
• Detailed knowledge of design platforms and applications in the target market is essential.

Responsibilities

• Create demand for Bourns components and provide technical design assistance to customers and partners.
• Penetrate major IC reference design houses and drive new product ideas into Engineering.
• Coordinate with RSMs, distributors, and channel partners to deliver training and support.
• Develop and present technical collateral for sales teams and shows.
• Publish technical papers and contribute to conferences and shows.
• Identify market trends and communicate opportunities to Product Management and Engineering.
• Assist in planning and executing sales strategies and marketing programs.

Skills

Public speaking

Presentation skills

Time management

Customer relationships

Education

Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering

Master of Science in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Microsoft Office

MS Project

Job description

Title: Field Application Engineer, Staff

Career at Bourns:

If working for an organization with a long history of technological innovation and high advancement potential in a supportive, collaborative, and positive work environment are top considerations for your next career move, then you need to look at the opportunities at Bourns.
Bourns was founded 75 years ago with the guiding principles of providing breakthrough technology solutions, high-quality products, responsive service, and exceptional value. Those principles still hold true today and have instilled a culture that is committed to excellence and ethical operations. As a leading provider of advanced components for power conversion, circuit protection, and motion control sensing solutions, Bourns employs more than 9,000 people in 21 countries and operates 17 manufacturing centers and 15 R&D facilities. Our customers and partners rely on Bourns to meet strict design requirements and satisfy international standards in a broad range of industries and applications. We achieve this stature because Bourns employees excel in the development of new products and continuous improvement processes that keep the company a global leader in delivering outstanding service.

Job Description:

Location: Boston, Massachusetts area preferred
Reports to:Director of Sales - East
Department:Sales
Travel:Up to 50%

Hiring Range: $130,000 - $150,000 annually, plus eligibility for a target annual incentive opportunity of 9% of base salary under the Bourns Sales Incentive Plan.

Bring Technical Expertise Closer to the Customer

Bourns is seeking an experienced and highly motivated Field Application Engineer, Staff to support customers, sales representatives, and channel partners throughout the Northeastern Region. The ideal candidate will be based in the Boston area.

In this customer-facing role, you will combine technical expertise with commercial awareness to create demand for Bourns components, influence customer designs, and identify new product opportunities. You will work closely with customer engineering teams, Regional Sales Managers, representative firms, distribution partners, Product Management, and Engineering.

This position is ideal for an experienced applications or sales engineer who enjoys solving complex design challenges, building strong customer relationships, and helping shape future electronic component solutions.

The Background You’ll Need

Education:

A Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering is required, with a preference for a Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering. A degree in another engineering discipline, physics, or science may be acceptable with appropriate electrical engineering experience.

Training and Experience:

• Five to ten years of component sales and/or applications or sales engineering experience, with knowledge of product applications, specifications, technical drawings, and engineering analysis, is desired.
• Detailed knowledge of the assigned market’s design platforms and applications is essential. Semiconductor, power supply, and military or aerospace application support experience is a plus.

Other Skills:

• Time-management and organizational skills.
• Public-speaking and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to identify innovative solutions that overcome customer obstacles.

Your Role in Customer and Market Growth

Create demand for Bourns’ components and provide technical design assistance to direct and indirect customers within the assigned territory. Work with distribution branches and internal and external sales representatives to provide ongoing and new product training. Penetrate major IC reference design house locations. Identify new product opportunities and drive new product ideas into Engineering. Identify and communicate market trends. Support corporate distribution initiatives, such as regional technology shows and territory-specific shows.

Turning Customer Opportunities into Design-Ins

Achieve design-ins through the qualification of Bourns solutions by performing the following activities:

• Engage directly with key customers and focus accounts.
• Identify and focus on opportunities with a high return on investment (ROI).
• Develop solutions that meet technical specifications and commercial requirements.
• Coordinate sales and design activities with local Regional Sales Managers (RSMs) and their representative firms.
• Resolve customer technical issues related to solution selection, quality concerns, and other matters, and engage the appropriate product line resources.
• Select appropriate application block diagrams from previous uses or generate new ones as needed to foster total-solution sales.
• Work through Marcom to develop technical sales collateral for use by RSMs, representative firms, and distribution channel partners.
• Support sales activities by specifying and procuring custom samples, required testing, and reports.
• Provide training to RSMs, representative firms, and distribution channel partners. This may include preparing and presenting technical information at conferences and trade shows.
• Publish technical papers in trade magazines and through other appropriate channels.
• Actively seek to improve the technical understanding of our customers’ applications.

Bringing Customer Needs into New Product Development

• Identify gaps in the Bourns product portfolio by understanding the needs of new and existing customers.
• Communicate new product ideas to Product Management and Engineering through new specifications, sketches, and other materials.
• Participate in new product development as the technical liaison between the development team and the customer, from initial identification through qualification and production.
• Participate in regulatory and standards meetings as directed by management.
• Attend trade shows as directed by management.
• Collect and disseminate market intelligence relating to:
  • Competitor behavior, activities, and product releases;
  • Marketplace trends and developments;
  • Regulatory changes that may impact our business;
  • New competitors or customers; and
  • The product characteristics that best meet marketplace demands regarding price, performance, and packaging.

Supporting Sales Strategy and Execution

• Complete monthly design-in and customer activity reporting.
• Maintain CRM activity records.
• Assist management in preparing sales-support program strategies, including collateral materials, promotions, sales training programs, press release coordination, and sample kits.
• Assist management in preparing annual sales and manufacturing plans.
• Execute the Bourns Counselor Sales Process.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Building Relationships Across the Business

• Demonstrates independence, resourcefulness, and the ability to self-motivate.
• Develops and maintains strong relationships with customer engineering staff and internal departments.
• Demonstrates the ability to organize and prioritize work.
• Assumes leadership responsibilities and delegates effectively.
• Possesses a strong work ethic and demonstrates cultural sensitivity.
• Communicates effectively with customers and management.
• Remains flexible and able to work in a fast-paced environment and travel frequently.

Communicating Technical Solutions Clearly

Oral Communication:

Excellent oral communication skills are required for customer-facing activities. The individual must possess the ability to deliver effective technical presentations to customers and management.

Strong written communication skills are required to communicate with customers; present ideas, concepts, and solutions; develop technical presentations; and provide instructions to employees and customers at all levels.

Managing Priorities Across the Territory

Must have the ability to prioritize projects, manage time effectively, and plan travel schedules accordingly.

Technology and Tools

Personal computer and office software, including Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Project.

Travel and Work Environment

• The position primarily operates in office and factory environments, with up to 50% travel required.
• The physical demands described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Additional Information

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee.

Bourns is an equal opportunity employer. At Bourns, we are committed to treating all Applicants and Employees fairly based on their abilities, achievements, and experience without regard to race, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by law. Qualified candidates must be able to perform the essential functions of this position satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodation. Disclaimer: this job post is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all essential responsibilities, skills, tasks, or requirements associated with this position. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the position posted, the Company reserves the right to modify or change the essential functions of the job based on business necessity.

Equal Opportunity Employer: Minority/Female/Disability/Veteran