What are the responsibilities and job description for the Applications Engineer position at Crawford Thomas Recruiting?
About US
We’re more than just a supplier—we’re a trusted partner and global leader in providing high-performance fastening solutions. Our products support critical applications across industries, including automotive, truck and trailer, construction, and industrial manufacturing. With a reputation built on precision, innovation, and customer-first service, we’re dedicated to helping our customers succeed and grow.
The Opportunity
We are seeking an Applications Engineer to serve as a technical expert and trusted advisor for our customers, suppliers, and internal teams. This role combines engineering expertise, fastener application knowledge, and customer engagement to develop innovative fastening solutions that support complex manufacturing and assembly requirements.
The Applications Engineer will work closely with Sales, Quality, Purchasing, and Operations to solve customer challenges, validate designs, optimize product performance, and support new business opportunities. Success in this role requires extensive experience within the fastener industry and a deep understanding of fastener manufacturing processes, standards, materials, coatings, and application requirements.
We're looking for someone who enjoys solving technical problems, collaborating directly with customers, and leveraging fastener expertise to create value-added solutions. If you're passionate about engineering, customer support, and the fastener industry, we'd love to hear from you.
What You'll Do Serve as the primary technical resource for customer application engineering support and fastening solution development. Build and maintain strong customer relationships through technical consultation and problem-solving. Troubleshoot fastener application issues and develop practical, cost-effective solutions that improve performance and reduce total cost. Support customers with fastener design, testing, manufacturing, quality, and assembly-related challenges. Review customer drawings, prints, specifications, and technical requirements for accuracy, manufacturability, and compliance. Apply expertise in fastener standards, including ANSI, ASTM, DIN, ISO, and customer-specific requirements. Support new product development activities involving heading, forming, threading, heat treatment, coatings, and secondary operations. Conduct product evaluations, field testing, and application validation activities. Assist Quality and customer teams with PPAP reviews, validation documentation, and product approval processes. Perform Value Analysis/Value Engineering (VAVE) activities to identify cost savings and performance improvements. Participate in Lessons Learned reviews and continuous improvement initiatives. Collaborate with Sales, Quality, Purchasing, and Operations teams to support customer growth and operational excellence. Conduct product testing, including torque testing, hydrogen embrittlement evaluation, dimensional validation, and related quality assessments. Support part creation, technical documentation, and engineering data management activities. Travel to customer locations as needed to support technical reviews, application evaluations, and business development efforts. Perform additional duties as assigned to support customer and company success. What You'll Bring Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related technical discipline preferred; equivalent industry experience will be considered. Minimum of 5 years of fastener industry experience required, with strong preference for experience supporting automotive, industrial, or commercial fastener applications. Extensive knowledge of industrial and mechanical fasteners, including bolts, screws, nuts, rivets, specialty fasteners, coatings, and adhesives. Strong understanding of fastener manufacturing processes, including heading, forming, threading, heat treatment, plating, and coating operations. Expert knowledge of global fastener standards, including ANSI, ASTM, DIN, and ISO specifications. Ability to read, interpret, and analyze engineering drawings, blueprints, GD&T requirements, and customer specifications. Experience with PPAP, DFMEA, Control Plans, DVP&R, VAVE, and other automotive or industrial quality methodologies. Familiarity with testing and validation methods, including torque testing, hydrogen embrittlement testing, and dimensional inspection. Experience with CAD software such as Autodesk Inventor or similar design platforms. Strong analytical, problem-solving, and project management skills. Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to present technical information to customers and internal stakeholders. Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and ERP systems; P21 experience is a plus. Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced environment. Why You'll Love Working Here Competitive pay and comprehensive benefits Opportunities for growth and advancement Direct involvement with leading manufacturers and complex engineering applications Collaborative, team-based culture focused on innovation and customer success Paid time off, holidays, and company recognition programs,
We’re more than just a supplier—we’re a trusted partner and global leader in providing high-performance fastening solutions. Our products support critical applications across industries, including automotive, truck and trailer, construction, and industrial manufacturing. With a reputation built on precision, innovation, and customer-first service, we’re dedicated to helping our customers succeed and grow.
The Opportunity
We are seeking an Applications Engineer to serve as a technical expert and trusted advisor for our customers, suppliers, and internal teams. This role combines engineering expertise, fastener application knowledge, and customer engagement to develop innovative fastening solutions that support complex manufacturing and assembly requirements.
The Applications Engineer will work closely with Sales, Quality, Purchasing, and Operations to solve customer challenges, validate designs, optimize product performance, and support new business opportunities. Success in this role requires extensive experience within the fastener industry and a deep understanding of fastener manufacturing processes, standards, materials, coatings, and application requirements.
We're looking for someone who enjoys solving technical problems, collaborating directly with customers, and leveraging fastener expertise to create value-added solutions. If you're passionate about engineering, customer support, and the fastener industry, we'd love to hear from you.
What You'll Do Serve as the primary technical resource for customer application engineering support and fastening solution development. Build and maintain strong customer relationships through technical consultation and problem-solving. Troubleshoot fastener application issues and develop practical, cost-effective solutions that improve performance and reduce total cost. Support customers with fastener design, testing, manufacturing, quality, and assembly-related challenges. Review customer drawings, prints, specifications, and technical requirements for accuracy, manufacturability, and compliance. Apply expertise in fastener standards, including ANSI, ASTM, DIN, ISO, and customer-specific requirements. Support new product development activities involving heading, forming, threading, heat treatment, coatings, and secondary operations. Conduct product evaluations, field testing, and application validation activities. Assist Quality and customer teams with PPAP reviews, validation documentation, and product approval processes. Perform Value Analysis/Value Engineering (VAVE) activities to identify cost savings and performance improvements. Participate in Lessons Learned reviews and continuous improvement initiatives. Collaborate with Sales, Quality, Purchasing, and Operations teams to support customer growth and operational excellence. Conduct product testing, including torque testing, hydrogen embrittlement evaluation, dimensional validation, and related quality assessments. Support part creation, technical documentation, and engineering data management activities. Travel to customer locations as needed to support technical reviews, application evaluations, and business development efforts. Perform additional duties as assigned to support customer and company success. What You'll Bring Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related technical discipline preferred; equivalent industry experience will be considered. Minimum of 5 years of fastener industry experience required, with strong preference for experience supporting automotive, industrial, or commercial fastener applications. Extensive knowledge of industrial and mechanical fasteners, including bolts, screws, nuts, rivets, specialty fasteners, coatings, and adhesives. Strong understanding of fastener manufacturing processes, including heading, forming, threading, heat treatment, plating, and coating operations. Expert knowledge of global fastener standards, including ANSI, ASTM, DIN, and ISO specifications. Ability to read, interpret, and analyze engineering drawings, blueprints, GD&T requirements, and customer specifications. Experience with PPAP, DFMEA, Control Plans, DVP&R, VAVE, and other automotive or industrial quality methodologies. Familiarity with testing and validation methods, including torque testing, hydrogen embrittlement testing, and dimensional inspection. Experience with CAD software such as Autodesk Inventor or similar design platforms. Strong analytical, problem-solving, and project management skills. Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to present technical information to customers and internal stakeholders. Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and ERP systems; P21 experience is a plus. Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced environment. Why You'll Love Working Here Competitive pay and comprehensive benefits Opportunities for growth and advancement Direct involvement with leading manufacturers and complex engineering applications Collaborative, team-based culture focused on innovation and customer success Paid time off, holidays, and company recognition programs,