Application Engineer

Education and Training: Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or related fields
Average Salary: $51,000 per year
Job Outlook: Good

Application engineers are tasked to plan, design, and operate different machinery and equipment. They have to utilize their technical knowledge and background in engineering with the aid of advanced computer software to come up with product needed by the company. In the process, the application engineer should make sure that all the needs of the clients in terms of the equipment’s integrity are met.

Planning and designing the overall program. The first step of the process is to design what will be done. In this case, aside from the formative stage of planning and designing, the application engineer is also concerned with directing and coordinating the preparations in order to accomplish the requirement. This includes preparing the engineering drawings, coordinating the design, checking the instruments, and the like.

Synchronizing data and products. Research and data collection is an integral part of an application engineer’s job. As part of the team, the application engineer would help in designing original equipment and systems or redesigning past projects according to the needs of the customers. Aside from creating devices, the application engineer also needs to create reports and draw up charts that would explain the sales. These would be used in explaining the various specifications of products in a manner that would be understandable to clients and employers.

Providing assistance in solving the product’s problem. Even after the customer gets the product, there can be problems and complications, so the application engineer should be able to assist in solving it. During this time, he will be working under an immediate supervisor to finish the job efficiently.

Education and Training Requirements

The technical nature of the job requires application engineers to have a formal education that is related to the specific industry that he wants to practice in. This means that a bachelor’s degree in technical disciplines such as engineering, IT, or computer science would be an advantage in the job market.

At the same time experience as a technical professional also serves as an edge, especially when one is targeting bigger and more well-known corporations. Some major corporations require at least five solid years of experience in a particular industry just so one can qualify as an applicant.

Getting the Job

Once an application engineer has the education and the experience necessary for qualification, one good tip to remember is that, given the job description, strong communication skills can be one’s advantage over the pack. This is because the presentation of ideas and information should not only be accurate but also effective. The ability to make technical and jargon-heavy data more communicable to employers, industry decision makers, and clients is crucial in the application engineer’s job.

An advanced and vast knowledge of technologies can also boost one’s chances in job hunting. Because of the fast evolving nature of the various industries, one has to be up-to-date with the latest engineering software programs that can be helpful for the industry.

Job Prospects, Employment Outlook and Career Development

Application engineers can choose from a variety of jobs in the engineering industry. The most popular and sought after these days is computer software engineering, wherein there are two means of attaining a job. One, application engineers can opt to go with companies in need of people who are capable of designing, programming, and installing mechanical and computer systems in a setting. Application engineers who are in this setup will find themselves working in teams.

Since the Internet, technology, electronics, and communication systems are expanding, it enables the hiring of application engineers via temporary or contractual positions. This is due to the explosion of application and computer software engineers in the industrial and computer fields.

However, even with this new trend, it ensures that there will not be a shortage of job opportunities. Application engineers with specializations can opt to become consultants for companies, while there are those who would rather be self-employed with a business in a related field,

Working Conditions and Environment

Application engineers can get into a bevy of industries, from industrial environments, which are concerned with heavy machinery and specialized equipment, to the computer and programming scene where the application engineer will be reliant on technology and software.

However, in most cases, application engineers usually work in teams. Because they handle and aid in specifications and standards of products and technology, the progress of the application engineer’s work can affect the functionality and efficiency of other departments.

Usually, the 40 hours a week schedule applies to application engineers. There are times when doing work during weekends or overtime during weekdays may be unavoidable, especially if a project is deadline-oriented.

Salary and Benefits

Application engineers start off at around $51,000 per year, according to a survey for industries, markets, and companies in the United States. However, since application engineers’ jobs are dependent on experience, those who are applying for mid-level positions, wherein one is supposed to have had at least six years of experience in the field, will have a much bigger paychecks worth $80,000 annually.

According to salary.com, a decade’s worth of experience for an application engineer can push one’s salaries to $115,00 every year.

Where to Go for More Information

American Engineering Association, Massachusetts Chapter
Robert Rivers 334 E. Main St.
Orange, MA 01364
(978) 544-8225
www.aea.org

National Society of Professional Engineers
1420 King St.
Alexandria, VA 2234-2794
(703) 684-2800
www.nspe.org

The World Federation of Engineering Organisations
Maison de l’UNESCO
1, rue Miollis
75015 Paris
www.wfeo.net