Senior Applications Engineer

About the Role

The Ideal Tridon Group is seeking a Senior Application Engineer for our corporate office in Smyrna, TN. The Ideal Tridon Group comprises a family of brands that support, secure, and connect the movement of air, fluid, and electricity in critical applications. With over 100 years of proven quality and a strong culture of service, we are the worldwide leader in clamps, strut, hose supports, conduit, fittings, and coupling solutions.

Summary and Scope

• Support the technical communities within the Automotive OEM, Heavy-Duty OEM, and/or Industrial OEM markets, partnering closely with key sales personnel to identify customer application requirements, develop clamping solutions that meet or exceed expectations, and validate solutions through DV testing.
• Assure compliance to all product related, customer specific requirements.
• Design and propose clamping solutions to our customers from our wide array of products, and conduct project meetings and lead discussions internally and with customers.
• Establish significant characteristics through the use of the DFMEA and communicate these requirements within multi-functional APQP meetings.
• Maintain and protect all company, supplier, and customer proprietary and confidential information.

Primary Duties and Functions

• Product development within APQP guidelines from product feasibility through commercialization.
• Design and conduct product validation testing relative to customer requirements and in accordance with industry standards for fuel, air and fluid applications.
• Design and develop test methods for concept and prototype feasibility assessments.
• Communicate with customers as the technical expert on behalf of the sales team to ensure a concise understanding of the products and services Ideal-Tridon provides to our customers.
• Provide technical support to our purchasing team and suppliers to ensure components meet required specifications.
• Manage numerous projects ensuring consistent and timely execution of deliverables.
• Contribute to system and process improvements in the engineering domain that drive internal and external customer satisfaction; including, but not limited to ECR/ECN, APQP, DV, DFMEA, PFMEA, and PPAP.
• Exhibit leadership qualities, sound organizational skills and the ability to multi-task and prioritize workload.
• Successfully complete assigned training.
• Ensure continued compliance with Quality System and Environmental Management System.
• Understand the process for containing nonconforming product and completing a RID.
• When necessary may perform other typical duties.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering Technology required.
• Eight or more years of experience in high volume manufacturing with a preferred emphasis in the automotive and/or industrial markets.
• T-Bolt/V-Band or No-Hub plumbing product knowledge is a plus.
• Ability to perform APQP, DOE, DVP&R, DFMEA and PFMEA activities.
• Candidate must have three to five years' experience in SolidWorks (or equivalent) and be proficient in Microsoft Suite software package (including Microsoft Project).
• Proficiency in Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing is a plus.
• Finite Element Analysis is preferred.
• Working knowledge of metallurgical properties, elevated-temperature performance, and applications of stainless steel products is a plus.
• Excellent technical writing skills to produce clean and detailed documentation, reports and presentations including design specifications, testing protocols, and project reports.
• Excellent verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex technical issues to non-technical stakeholders.
• Ability to apply logic, reasoning and scientific thinking to a wide range of technical problems.
• Candidate must be "Hands-on" and willing to participate with lab testing and manufacturing DOE activities as required.
• Knowledge of Six Sigma, Lean Design, Lean Manufacturing, 5S, TS 16949, and ISO 14001 preferred.
• Travel as needed including international.

Work Environment & Culture

Foster and embody the Ideal Tridon Group values:

• Devoted to Customers – Builds trusted relationships through service and reliability.
• We Care – Acts with integrity, accountability, and respect for others.
• Passionate About Growth – Committed to personal and team development.
• Positive Energy – Creates a collaborative, energizing work environment.
• We Find a Way – Resourceful, determined, and solutions-focused.