What are the responsibilities and job description for the Field Applications Engineer position at Koch?
Your Job
As an Applications Engineer, you will partner closely with customers and internal teams to translate complex mechanical, electrical, and thermal requirements into winning technical solutions. This role plays a critical part in driving product adoption, supporting customer success, and enabling growth across key product segments.
Our Team
You will work as part of a collaborative Applications Engineering team, partnering daily with Sales, Engineering, Quality, and Product Line Management. Together, this group supports customers across the Americas while coordinating with global counterparts to deliver consistent, high‑quality technical solutions.
What You Will Do
In order to comply with U.S. export control laws and regulations, this position requires applicants to either provide proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent resident status or be eligible to receive an export authorization (a license) under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations and/or the Export Administration Regulation
Hiring Philosophy
All Koch companies value diversity of thought, perspectives, aptitudes, experiences, and backgrounds. We are Military Ready and Second Chance employers. Learn more about our hiring philosophy here.
Who We Are
With a strong legacy of engineering excellence, Smiths Interconnect, a Molex company, is part of Molex’s Aerospace & Defense Solutions Division and represents the Signal Technologies business unit. Smiths Interconnect delivers mission‑critical connectivity solutions—including ruggedized connectors, cable assemblies, Fiber & RF, and high‑reliability technologies—designed to perform in the most demanding environments. From aerospace and defense to space, medical, and industrial applications, our innovative products enable reliability where it matters most. Join a passionate, global team helping shape the future of high‑reliability interconnect solutions.
At Koch, employees are empowered to do what they do best to make life better. Learn how our business philosophy helps employees unleash their potential while creating value for themselves and the company.
Our Benefits
Our goal is for each employee, and their families, to live fulfilling and healthy lives. We provide essential resources and support to build and maintain physical, financial, and emotional strength - focusing on overall wellbeing so you can focus on what matters most. Our benefits plan includes - medical, dental, vision, flexible spending and health savings accounts, life insurance, ADD, disability, retirement, paid vacation/time off, educational assistance, and may also include infertility assistance, paid parental leave and adoption assistance. Specific eligibility criteria is set by the applicable Summary Plan Description, policy or guideline and benefits may vary by geographic region. If you have questions on what benefits apply to you, please speak to your recruiter.
Additionally, everyone has individual work and personal needs. We seek to enable the best work environment that helps you and the business work together to produce superior results.
Equal Opportunities
Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status. Except where prohibited by state law, some offers of employment are conditioned upon successfully passing a drug test. This employer uses E-Verify. Please click here for additional information. (For Illinois E-Verify information click here, aquí, or tu).
As an Applications Engineer, you will partner closely with customers and internal teams to translate complex mechanical, electrical, and thermal requirements into winning technical solutions. This role plays a critical part in driving product adoption, supporting customer success, and enabling growth across key product segments.
Our Team
You will work as part of a collaborative Applications Engineering team, partnering daily with Sales, Engineering, Quality, and Product Line Management. Together, this group supports customers across the Americas while coordinating with global counterparts to deliver consistent, high‑quality technical solutions.
What You Will Do
- Partner with sales teams and customers to understand application needs and translate them into robust technical solutions
- Capture and document customer mechanical, electrical, and thermal requirements for new and existing projects
- Collaborate with Engineering to influence designs and drive technical “design wins”
- Review assemblies and sub‑assemblies to ensure solutions meet customer and corporate standards
- Support growth initiatives by identifying new applications, product opportunities, and emerging market trends
- Contribute to new product development through specifications, application notes, and technical collateral
- Serve as a technical resource for field issues, including troubleshooting, repairs, and engineering change requests
- Educate internal and external stakeholders on current and new product offerings
- Maintain accurate customer documentation, including design rules, cross‑references, and roadmaps
- Support and comply with all Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) programs and requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering or equivalent professional experience
- 3–5 years of experience in applications engineering, product engineering, or a related technical role
- Ability to manage multiple projects, prioritize effectively, and meet deadlines
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including customer presentations
- Experience working directly with customers to resolve complex technical issues
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools (Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Teams)
- Ability to travel locally up to approximately 40–50% of the time
- Experience using SolidWorks CAD and PDM systems
- Familiarity with Monte Carlo alignment analysis (Minitab) or structural FEA (SolidWorks)
- Understanding of printed circuit boards (PCBs) and their integration with electromechanical products
- Hands‑on ability to debug mechanical, thermal, and electrical issues at customer sites
- Experience using manual and electric hand tools, microscopes, or performing fine mechanical repairs
- Knowledge of market trends, customer roadmaps, and competitive technologies
In order to comply with U.S. export control laws and regulations, this position requires applicants to either provide proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent resident status or be eligible to receive an export authorization (a license) under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations and/or the Export Administration Regulation
Hiring Philosophy
All Koch companies value diversity of thought, perspectives, aptitudes, experiences, and backgrounds. We are Military Ready and Second Chance employers. Learn more about our hiring philosophy here.
Who We Are
With a strong legacy of engineering excellence, Smiths Interconnect, a Molex company, is part of Molex’s Aerospace & Defense Solutions Division and represents the Signal Technologies business unit. Smiths Interconnect delivers mission‑critical connectivity solutions—including ruggedized connectors, cable assemblies, Fiber & RF, and high‑reliability technologies—designed to perform in the most demanding environments. From aerospace and defense to space, medical, and industrial applications, our innovative products enable reliability where it matters most. Join a passionate, global team helping shape the future of high‑reliability interconnect solutions.
At Koch, employees are empowered to do what they do best to make life better. Learn how our business philosophy helps employees unleash their potential while creating value for themselves and the company.
Our Benefits
Our goal is for each employee, and their families, to live fulfilling and healthy lives. We provide essential resources and support to build and maintain physical, financial, and emotional strength - focusing on overall wellbeing so you can focus on what matters most. Our benefits plan includes - medical, dental, vision, flexible spending and health savings accounts, life insurance, ADD, disability, retirement, paid vacation/time off, educational assistance, and may also include infertility assistance, paid parental leave and adoption assistance. Specific eligibility criteria is set by the applicable Summary Plan Description, policy or guideline and benefits may vary by geographic region. If you have questions on what benefits apply to you, please speak to your recruiter.
Additionally, everyone has individual work and personal needs. We seek to enable the best work environment that helps you and the business work together to produce superior results.
Equal Opportunities
Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status. Except where prohibited by state law, some offers of employment are conditioned upon successfully passing a drug test. This employer uses E-Verify. Please click here for additional information. (For Illinois E-Verify information click here, aquí, or tu).