Application Engineer

Coesia • Davenport, IA

3d

About The Position

As an Electrical Application Engineer on the Modernization team at R.A Jones, you will develop technical solutions to modify, upgrade, and improve the electrical and control systems of customers’ existing packaging equipment. You will work with customers and internal teams—including Sales, Sales Operations, Order Engineering, and Controls Engineering—to understand requirements, evaluate machinery, and translate technical challenges into practical, cost-effective proposals.

The role involves interpreting electrical documentation ranging from legacy paper schematics to modern drawings and control-system documents. You will develop concepts for electrical modernization projects, assess associated costs and resources, and document proposed solutions to support customer proposals and project execution. You may also support feasibility assessments, customer presentations, and occasional travel to customer or vendor locations.

R.A Jones designs and manufactures primary and secondary packaging machinery for beverage, chemicals, food, pharmaceutical and healthcare, and industrial goods applications. It is part of Coesia, a global group of industrial and packaging solutions companies.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Electrical Engineering Technology, or a related engineering discipline is preferred; equivalent hands-on electrical, controls, or industrial machinery experience will also be considered.
• Strong electrical aptitude and demonstrated experience with industrial electrical systems, machine controls, automation equipment, packaging machinery, electrical modifications, service, or a comparable technical environment.
• Ability to evaluate existing electrical and control systems, identify necessary upgrades or modifications, and develop practical technical solutions.
• Experience interpreting electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, control panel layouts, equipment specifications, and technical documentation.
• Familiarity with industrial control systems and components, including PLCs, HMIs, variable frequency drives (VFDs), sensors, and other automation technologies.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Excel and ability to develop or support electrical material, labor, engineering, and project cost estimates.
• Strong technical writing skills and ability to clearly document and explain electrical engineering and controls solutions.
• Strong verbal communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to interact effectively with customers, Sales, Engineering, and cross-functional teams.
• Customer-focused approach, including ability to listen to technical challenges, ask appropriate questions, and translate customer needs into actionable solutions.
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to work through established applications and new or previously unproven concepts.
• Ability to collaborate across functions while taking ownership of the technical integrity and accuracy of proposed solutions.
• Willingness to work around manufacturing and shop environments where safety glasses, steel-toe safety shoes, and other required PPE must be worn.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with electrical design and documentation tools such as AutoCAD Electrical, EPLAN, or comparable software.

Responsibilities

• Review customer and Sales requests to understand electrical and controls challenges, application requirements, and desired outcomes.
• Evaluate existing packaging machinery, including legacy equipment, and determine appropriate modernization, controls upgrades, modifications, or system replacement solutions.
• Interpret electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, control panel layouts, legacy documentation, equipment specifications, and related technical documents.
• Develop practical electrical and controls solutions based on machine configurations, customer requirements, and engineering principles.
• Evaluate control systems and components, including PLCs, HMIs, drives, sensors, and other electrical components, to identify modernization or replacement opportunities.
• Collaborate with Order Engineering, Controls Engineering, and other technical teams to evaluate proposed solutions, validate concepts, and align on technical requirements.
• Develop estimates for electrical materials, engineering, programming, installation, and other applicable project costs.
• Prepare technical write-ups defining proposed solutions, scope of work, sequence of operation, system requirements, and information needed for proposals and downstream engineering.
• Provide technical support to Sales Operations Engineers and Sales team members during proposal development.
• Use electrical design tools, schematics, and other engineering resources to evaluate concepts, communicate solutions, and support technical decisions.
• Support feasibility assessments, technical evaluations, and early-learning activities to validate new or complex applications and reduce project risk.
• Communicate electrical and controls concepts and recommendations to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Support customer discussions and presentations as needed to clarify electrical requirements and proposed solutions.
• Maintain awareness of relevant electrical technologies, automation systems, engineering practices, and packaging machinery modernization developments.
• Travel occasionally to customer or vendor locations as business needs require.

Benefits

• 401K offering 6% company match with no vesting period.
• Flexible remote work offering.
• 8 weeks of paid parental leave.
• Multiple health benefit and insurance options.
• PTO, sick time, and 12 observed calendar holidays.
• Company-paid short-term disability (80% wage replacement) and long-term disability.
• HSA company contribution for individual and employer family coverage.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time