Senior Application Engineer

JTEKT North America•Arlington Heights, IL

About The Position

The Senior Application Engineer provides technical support to OE Industrial customers in the North American market. The role uses engineering skills, bearing analysis, failure investigation, statistical analysis, calculation methods, and computer modeling to select suitable bearings that meet customer requirements. Other work includes issuing drawing requests, processing investigation and test requests, ordering samples, reviewing customer drawings, generating VA/VE ideas, investigating warranty issues, providing technical and service engineering support, and visiting customers as needed. Identifying new business opportunities and innovative solutions is also important. The position requires organization and project management to meet multiple milestones, as well as the ability to work independently without close supervision. The role requires approximately 25% travel by automobile and plane. The position has no supervisory responsibilities. Work is mostly performed in a normal office setting, with substantial computer use and minimal exposure to health or safety hazards. Occasional work in manufacturing areas may require personal protective equipment, including safety glasses with side shields and hearing protection. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering.
3–5 years of experience in the bearing or related industries.
Strong engineering skills and excellent mechanical aptitude, including an understanding of rotating machine dynamics in off-highway equipment.
Good multitasking, time management, and project management skills.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Familiarity or training in formalized problem-solving methodologies such as Red X, DOE, and 8D.
Familiarity or training in failure analysis.
Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, including knowledge of GD&T.
Understanding of basic gage usage and inspection techniques and their limitations, including dimensional, noise/vibration, surface finish, hardness, and torque inspection.
Familiarity or experience with the DFMEA/PFMEA process.
Self-starter willing to learn new applications and analysis techniques.
Superior computer skills, including Word and Excel.
Willingness and ability to travel approximately 25% by automobile and plane.

Responsibilities

Meet with customer engineers to understand bearing requirements, application specifications, and project details.
Select and analyze bearings in complex applications using proprietary and commercial engineering software to conduct life and stress analyses, check interfaces, and advise on application, fitting practices, and validation recommendations for Koyo products.
Write reports and present analysis results to customers.
Coordinate with design engineering, manufacturing, and quality teams to develop bearing designs, support sample production, and meet customer technical and quality requirements.
Develop test plans, analyze test results, and prepare final test reports to validate product proposals.
Perform failure analysis, root cause analysis, and problem solving for internal testing, customer testing, and field application issues.
Visit customers to work with engineers on maintenance, design, and VA/VE projects; complete detailed visit reports with actionable items within required time constraints.
Build customer rapport through excellence, responsiveness, and support.
Manage projects from conception through analysis and testing until orders are received.
Conduct training seminars and other technical training for customer personnel.
Support development of new products and technologies.
Share interdisciplinary knowledge of bearing application technology with colleagues and assist technicians and other engineering staff as needed.
Update supervision and help answer inquiries from inside and outside the company.
Support global company resources in developing the best corporate solution to problems or opportunities.
Adapt emerging technology to enhance application engineering capabilities and services.
Continuously improve execution of responsibilities as part of personal development and growth.