Sr. Field Application Engineer

Are you a technically driven engineer who enjoys solving complex challenges and building strong customer relationships? Knape & Vogt Manufacturing is looking for a Senior Field Application Engineer in the San Jose area to serve as the critical link between our customers and engineering teams, delivering innovative solutions that drive quality, productivity, and performance. In this highly visible role, you'll collaborate directly with customers, provide technical expertise, and support product development from concept through launch and beyond. Ready to put your engineering expertise to work and make a real impact? Join our team!

Company Overview:

Knape & Vogt Manufacturing Company has been based in Grand Rapids for over 125 years. We are a global leader specializing in the design, manufacture and distribution of functional hardware, office and healthcare ergonomics and storage-related components for original equipment manufacturers, specialty distributors, hardware chains and major home centers.

What’s In It For You:

• Benefits including Medical/Dental/Vision plus many more
• Competitive Pay
• Generous Paid Time Off
• 11 Paid Holidays
• 401K with Company Match
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Employee Discount Programs
• Bonus and Merit opportunities

What Will You Get To Do:

• Oversee the translation of the needs and customer requirements into technical specifications/design inputs
• Provide input and oversight of activities of Product Engineers as they provide support for all aspects of the assigned product development and to ensure functionality, schedule, quality, and cost
• Supervise the work of support personnel such as CAD and prototype technicians, with potential to manage 1 or 2 personnel if justified locale need
• Work with customers to define all product application requirements necessary to gain product approval for production
• Ensure the product design meets product cost, overall capital budget parameters and is summarized for the project leads
• Balance capital and product costs of potential design concepts to ensure the best solution is developed
• Facilitate the development of the product design and functionality – including but not limited to: Solid model design work, specification of materials, FEA analysis, and testing programs
• Ensure test and analysis validates the design and meets all requirements and is approved for production
• Technical contact for the Sales and New Product Development Teams
• Read and interpret customer specifications and ensure requirements are documented and incorporated into the product design
• Solve technical issues associated with customer and product demands
• Define resources and timing commitments required to execute project goals
• Be aware of the relevance of competing technologies and advise Marketing/R&D of such developments
• Facilitate and lead internal and external meetings, updates project milestones and critical tasks
• Work directly with AQE to ensure quality planning meets customer documentation needs

What Will You bring:

• Work Experience: At least 7 year of experience in a Product, Applications or Designing Engineering position with proven knowledge of GD&T
• Education: Bachelors Degree in Engineering
• Computer Skills: Intermediate skills in MS Office Suite, experience working with an ERP system and the ability to use 3D CAD