Applications Engineer

Applications Engineer

Basic Function:

The Applications Engineer will be responsible for managing and coordinating the design, development and documentation of new connectivity products to meet internal and/or customer requirements. This role will serve as a critical link between customers, sales, engineering, and manufacturing teams to ensure the successful development, customization, and delivery of products that meet market and customer needs.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Performs specific job responsibilities:
   • Manage and coordinate QRM projects, including planning, assigning, monitoring, and delivering on key milestones.
   • Drive product development efforts by modifying existing designs, developing new products, improving production techniques, and establishing test procedures.
   • QRM projects (short-term efforts such as customizations, large emerging programs, complex system designs, or specialized assemblies).
   • Assist the New Product Development Manager with NPI projects when necessary.
   • NPI projects (larger-scale programs to launch new or significantly modified products in response to market and customer demand).
   • Collaborate with Inside Sales, Outside Sales, Technical Sales, and Business Development teams to capture customer requirements and project objectives.
   • Interface directly with customers to define technical requirements, assist with system designs, and provide application-specific technical support.
   • Evaluate QRM opportunities for technical and business feasibility, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
   • Collaborate across teams to ensure tooling, design, costs, quality, and delivery timelines meet both customer expectations and company standards.
   • Track and report project status to stakeholders, ensuring tasks are well defined, realistic, and achievable.
   • Maintain accurate digital records and project documentation to ensure quality and traceability.
   • Provide technical support to the sales team to ensure accuracy in product offerings.
   • Stay current with industry best practices, technology advancements, and opportunities for continuous improvement in products and processes.

1. Promotes OCC's service excellence and quality. Provides excellent service to customers; builds strong relationships and team cohesiveness; focuses on quality and positive solutions; communicates respectfully; demonstrates compassion and understanding in response to customer request/needs.

1. Champions OCC's vision and values (as outlined in the 15 Essential Point of Success); complies with policies and procedures, ethical standards and Code of Conduct.

Job Scope:

• Communication: Communicates with fellow managers and leaders in other departments to understand engineering needs and expectations.
• Confidentiality: High level of confidentiality required regarding corporate initiatives, customer matters and employee issues.
• Financial: Operate and manage a fiscally responsible team and maintain reasonable expenses; must evaluate the potential returns on investment before committing to purchases. Respond to the Finance team's request for information in a timely and accurate manner.
• Judgment: Errors can impact the efficiency of on-time orders, general quality and employee morale.
• Compliance: Responsible for SOX and ISO compliance as it pertains to the teams work processes; responsible for understanding, following and administering corporate policies. Compliant with operational procedures.
• Travel: Minimal.

Minimum Qualifications Required:

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, or related field preferred), or currently enrolled and nearing graduation. Equivalent hands-on experience will also be considered.
• Strong interest in project management and the ability to learn and apply methodologies with guidance.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across teams and with customers.
• Problem-solving mindset with attention to detail and eagerness to take ownership of tasks.
• Familiarity with (or willingness to learn) manufacturing processes, product design, and test procedures. Bachelor's degree in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering with post graduate work preferred.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Exposure to cable assemblies, interconnect products, or related technologies (through coursework, projects, or work experience).
• Internship, co-op, academic project, or work experience related to applications engineering, product development, or a similar technical role is a plus.
• Awareness of Quick Response Manufacturing (QRM) principles.
• Experience with (Autodesk) Inventor or equivalent design software (academic or professional).

Essential Skills, Abilities & Knowledge:

Excellent computer skills required with familiarity and skill in software packages such as Autodesk Inventor, Microsoft Office. Possess an excellent mechanical aptitude with a comprehensive knowledge of fiber optic cable and connector design and its application to production processes. Comprehensive knowledge of all applicable industry standards and qualification requirements including ISO 9001 and MIL-STD. Ability to plan, layout and execute complex projects, functions and operations. Excellent math and documentation skills required. Excellent oral and written communication skills required with the demonstrated ability to express oneself clearly and concisely. Ability to supervise employees and maintain effective relationships with all levels in the organization. Ability to work in a team environment with responsibility for training, motivating, monitoring and evaluating others. Pay close attention to detail with the ability to complete assignments accurately, and to recognize, record and help resolve problems. Able to organize, complete tasks and manage time.

Working Conditions: This is a sedentary position that requires vision sufficient for significant reading, keyboarding and computer usage. Also, normal work responsibilities call for nominal levels of physically demanding efforts characterized by walking and standing some of the day and lifting up to 25 lbs. This position also requires an individual with hearing sufficient for dealing with external agencies/vendors/customers, interacting with employees, conducting meetings, as well as for significant telephone contact. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with a disability to perform the essential functions.

Note: This job description is only meant to be a representative summary of the major responsibilities and accountabilities performed by incumbents of this job. The incumbents may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those stated in this description.