Application Engineer

About the Role

The Applications Engineer serves as a critical bridge between sales, engineering, and end-users, providing deep technical expertise in abrasive air blast processes, equipment selection, and surface preparation requirements. This role is designed to evaluate customer applications, recommend appropriate blasting media and process parameters, and ensure proposed solutions meet specific surface requirements, production targets, and the customer's "Job to Be Done" (JTBD).

As a subject-matter expert for both manual and automated blasting systems, you will guide projects from initial concept through commissioning. Your work involves clearly communicating technical recommendations through detailed proposals and General Arrangement (GA) drawings, including delivering presentations when necessary. You will act as a proactive problem solver, identifying customer pain points to craft high-value solutions that improve processes and meet commitment dates.

Day in the Life

You will engage in a dynamic mix of strategic planning and customer-facing interaction. A significant portion of your time will be dedicated to opportunity management, utilizing project costing tools to drive market pricing and articulating a clear value proposition. You will collaborate closely with the Project Management team and field sales to prioritize opportunities, while partnering with engineering and manufacturing to align offerings with design-build standards.

Customer interaction is central to this role. You will participate in meetings with Clemco and customer teams, travel up to 25% to customer locations and trade shows, and engage in face-to-face meetings to define JTBD and gather technical information. You will also foster constructive conflict resolution to arrive at win-win solutions and lead cross-functional teams to positively influence outcomes.

Culture and Values

We are looking for a passionate innovator who demonstrates curiosity, embraces learning, and challenges the status quo to develop future standard solutions. As a change agent with a process-first mindset, you will encourage analytical thinking and offer thoughtful recommendations to improve performance and productivity.

You will uphold Clemco's core values, prioritizing customer experience and safety while reinforcing PQDCG (People, Quality, Delivery, Cost, and Growth) priorities. We foster an environment of pride in quality, protection from hazards, transparency, open dialogue, and respect. Participation in LEAN initiatives within project management and cross-functional events is expected to drive continuous improvement.

Hiring Process

Candidates selected for this role will engage in a structured interview process designed to assess technical expertise, strategic thinking, and cultural fit. The process typically includes:

1. Initial Screening: A conversation to discuss background, experience with abrasive blasting or surface preparation, and alignment with our values.
2. Technical Deep Dive: A review of your ability to analyze technical specifications, create proposals, and demonstrate knowledge of AutoCAD and project costing.
3. Stakeholder Interviews: Meetings with the Project Management team, field sales, and engineering partners to evaluate collaboration skills and strategic insight.
4. Final Review: A discussion on how you approach problem-solving and your vision for continuous improvement within our team.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Clemco Industries Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. All employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business needs.