Senior Application Engineer

3M; Livonia (MI); On-site; USD 124,000 - 152,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Job summary

3M is seeking a Senior Application Engineer in Livonia, MI, focused on vehicle emissions systems and catalytic converter thermal barriers. You will serve as the technical liaison with automotive customers, coordinating with sales and internal teams to translate customer needs into validated solutions.

Onsite work with travel up to 25% may be required. The role emphasizes hands-on technical guidance, strong analytical and communication skills, plus experience supporting vehicle applications at

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, materials science, physics, or chemistry (verification required).
• At least five (5) years of experience providing technical support for vehicle applications (OEM/Tier preferred).

Responsibilities

• Establish yourself as the 3M technical lead to automotive key account customers.
• Engage with Tier suppliers and OEMs to understand requirements and recommend solutions.
• Coordinate test validation activities to achieve approvals within customer timelines.
• Communicate customers’ design needs to Product Development for new product introduction proposals.
• Provide hands-on technical guidance, troubleshooting, and performance analysis for customers.
• Identify and pursue new business opportunities with customers.

Skills

Analytical skills

Problem solving

Communication skills

Vehicle applications experience

Technical support

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, materials science, physics, or chemistry

Advanced degree in engineering, materials science, physics, or chemistry

Job description

Job Description

Collaborate with Innovative 3Mers Around the World: Choosing where to grow your career has a major impact on your professional and personal life, so it’s equally important you know that the company that you choose to work at, and be confident that its leaders will support and guide you. With a diversity of people, global locations, technologies and products, 3M is a place where you can collaborate and grow with other curious, creative 3Mers.

The Impact You’ll Make in this Role

As a Senior Application Engineer for 3M’s Transportation & Energy Vertical Business, you will be the technical liaison with vehicle emissions systems customers, with a strong focus on catalytic converter thermal barriers. You will work closely with key account customers, sales, and internal technical teams to communicate customer design needs, as well as identify and validate solutions to OEM specifications.

Here, You Will Make An Impact By

• Establishing yourself as the 3M technical lead to automotive key account customers.
• Engaging with Tier suppliers and OEMs to understand requirements and recommend suitable solutions.
• Coordinating test validation activities to ensure approvals are achieved, meeting customer timelines.
• Understanding customers’ technology roadmaps, upcoming design needs and challenges, effectively communicating those insights to the Product Development team for new product introduction proposals.
• Providing hands‑on technical guidance, troubleshooting, and performance analysis for customers.
• Actively seeking out new business opportunities while engaging with customers.

Your Skills And Expertise

To set you up for success in this role from day one, 3M is looking for candidates who meet the following minimum requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher (completed and verified prior to start) from an accredited institution in engineering, materials science, physics, or chemistry.
• At least five (5) years of experience providing technical support for vehicle applications in a private, public, government or military environment (automotive OEM/Tier preferred).

Additional knowledge / nice-to-have skills / preferred qualifications that could help you succeed even further in this role include:

• Basic understanding of vehicle emissions systems
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings and validation requirements.
• Current, valid Driver’s License.
• Experience working with Tier 1 or OEM in vehicle emissions systems design and/or application
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Advanced degree in engineering, materials science, physics, or chemistry

Work location:

• Onsite in Livonia, MI 4 days/week minimum

Travel: May include up to 25% domestic/local travel

Relocation Assistance: May be authorized.

Must be legally authorized to work in country of employment without sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H1B status).

Supporting Your Well-being

3M offers many programs to help you live your best life – both physically and financially. To ensure competitive pay and benefits, 3M regularly benchmarks with other companies that are comparable in size and scope.

Applicable to US Applicants Only

The expected compensation range for this position is $124,127 - $151,710, which includes base pay plus variable incentive pay, if eligible. This range represents a good faith estimate for this position. The specific compensation offered to a candidate may vary based on factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s relevant knowledge, training, skills, work location, and/or experience. In addition, this position may be eligible for a range of benefits (e.g., Medical, Dental & Vision, Health Savings Accounts, Health Care & Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts, Disability Benefits, Life Insurance, Voluntary Benefits, Paid Absences and Retirement Benefits, etc.). Additional information is available at: https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/careers-us/working-at-3m/benefits/.

Good Faith Posting Date Range 08/11/2026 To 09/10/2026 Or until filled

All US-based 3M full time employees will need to sign an employee agreement as a condition of employment with 3M. This agreement lays out key terms on using 3M Confidential Information and Trade Secrets. It also has provisions discussing conflicts of interest and how inventions are assigned. Employees that are Job Grade 7 or equivalent and above may also have obligations to not compete against 3M or solicit its employees or customers, both during their employment, and for a period after they leave 3M.

Responsibilities of this position include that corporate policies, procedures and security standards are complied with while performing assigned duties.

Safety is a core value at 3M. All employees are expected to contribute to a strong Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) culture by following safety policies, identifying hazards, and engaging in continuous improvement.

Pay & Benefits Overview

https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/careers-us/working-at-3m/benefits/

3M does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

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