Application Engineer

Job Description

The Application Engineer – Fastener Sales serves as the primary technical expert for engineered fastening solutions, supporting both customers and internal teams with fastener applications, manufacturing processes, design validation, and product development. This role partners closely with Purchasing, Quality, and Sales to interpret customer requirements, review technical documentation, and ensure that fastener products meet industry standards and customer specifications. The engineer provides hands-on support for testing and validation activities while helping drive continuous improvement and value-added engineering initiatives within a small but growing family-owned organization.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain strong technical relationships with customers, acting as a trusted resource for fastener application and engineering support.
• Serve as a technical advisor to Purchasing, Quality, and Sales teams, helping interpret customer requirements and align them with appropriate fastener solutions.
• Troubleshoot customer application and engineering issues, diagnosing root causes and recommending practical, cost-effective solutions.
• Support fastener design, testing, and manufacturing activities, including heading, forming, and coating processes.
• Review customer prints, drawings, and specifications using blueprint reading and GD&T to ensure compliance with technical and quality requirements.
• Conduct product testing and validation activities, including torque testing, hydrogen embrittlement testing, and layout verification.
• Support PPAP reviews and prepare or interpret quality documentation such as control plans, DFMEA, and DVP&R.
• Lead Value Analysis/Value Engineering (VAVE) activities and Lessons Learned reviews to improve product performance, reduce cost, and enhance manufacturability.
• Assist with inventory and part setup within the P21 ERP system to ensure accurate technical and logistical data for fastener products.
• Provide onsite customer support and field testing as needed, including visits to customer facilities and test houses.
• Apply knowledge of ANSI, ASTM, DIN, and ISO fastener standards to ensure products meet relevant industry and customer specifications.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders on product development initiatives, including material selection, coating specifications, and performance validation.
• Use CAD tools such as AutoCAD Inventor or similar software to support design validation, product layout, and documentation.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of testing, validation, and documentation processes for fastener products.

Essential Skills

• Hands-on fastener engineering experience with nuts, bolts, screws, rivets, coatings, and adhesives.
• Strong customer-facing engineering or technical sales support experience, with the ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly.
• Proficiency in blueprint reading, GD&T, and detailed print review for fastener and mechanical components.
• Knowledge of ANSI, ASTM, DIN, and ISO fastener standards and their application to product design and validation.
• Understanding of fastener manufacturing processes, including heading, forming, and coating operations.
• Experience with product testing and validation, including torque testing, hydrogen embrittlement testing, and layout verification.
• Practical experience with PPAP processes and related quality documentation such as control plans, DFMEA, DVP&R, and validation reports.
• Ability to lead and contribute to VAVE initiatives focused on cost reduction and performance improvement.
• Material properties and coating specifications knowledge related to fastener performance and durability.
• Ability to serve as a technical advisor to cross-functional teams including Purchasing, Quality, and Sales.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills for diagnosing and resolving application and engineering issues.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• Experience using P21 ERP or similar enterprise resource planning systems for part and inventory setup.
• Familiarity with DFMEA, DVP&R, control plans, and other advanced quality and validation tools.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD Inventor or similar CAD software for design support and validation.
• Experience conducting and documenting product development activities for fastener applications.
• Ability to participate in Lessons Learned reviews and continuous improvement initiatives.

Work Environment

Work is performed in an office setting with regular interaction across shop, warehouse, and test house areas, as well as customer sites when onsite support is required. The role involves exposure to various manufacturing, shipping, testing, and storage environments, including equipment, chemicals, and supplies associated with fastener production and validation. The position offers a blend of desk-based engineering work, hands-on testing activities, and customer-facing field work within a collaborative, growth-oriented company culture.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Macomb, MI.

The pay range for this position is $90000.00 - $115000.00/yr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Health & InsuranceMedical insurance plansDental insurance (covers preventive care, basic and major services)Vision insuranceLife insuranceRetirement & Financial401(k) retirement plan (employee participation reported)Time Off & Work-Life BalancePaid Time Off (PTO) / vacation policyPaid holidaysWorkplace & Culture PerksFamily-owned / privately held company environmentCompany-sponsored lunches, BBQs, and occasional team eventsFlexible and casual office culture reported at some locationsCareer & DevelopmentOn-the-job training and cross-functional exposureOpportunities to work across sales, supply chain, quality, and operations functions

This is a fully onsite position in Macomb,MI.

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 15, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications withoutregard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability,sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protectedby law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification oradjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability,please email for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in thecity and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicantswith arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as acondition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this lawshall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process,including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applicationsand qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, youacknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.