Applications Engineer in Fort Wayne, Indiana at Web Industries Inc

Web Industries a 100% employee-owned company (ESOP), which brings a lot of advantages to the people who work here—beyond the great pay and excellent benefits. You’re not just an employee, you are an employee-owner, with a vested interest in the success of the company. Web Industries’ founder, Bob Fulton, believed that the people who create the value of a company, the employees, should share in the success of the company. We believe there is a real energy that exists when people are open, honest, and work together to meet mutual goals. We do this by living our values:

○ Heart of an Owner: Taking personal responsibility and pride in our work.

○ Stronger Together: The power of collaboration and teamwork.

○ Find a Way: Determination and creativity to overcome challenges

As a company, we thrive on that energy and work to bring it into every product and every project that we touch. At Web, we believe the employee experience is paramount to our company’s success. Working with us, you’ll experience a myriad of cultures, locations, industries, and technologies. And you’ll be part of an employee-owned company dedicated to helping you achieve a fulfilling life and a rewarding career.

PURPOSE:

The Applications Engineer acts as the technical bridge between customers, sales, engineering, and manufacturing – understanding customer requirements, translating them into technical solutions, and supporting the successful application of the company’s products or services. The ideal candidate combines strong technical acumen with customer‑facing communication skills to ensure solutions are feasible, competitive, and aligned with customer needs. The role requires experience with converting, coating or printing in controlled manufacturing environments.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
• Creating necessary internal and deliverable technical material, data and documentation, and assisting with training
• Develop quotes, cost estimates and models, and recommendations that balance performance, cost, manufacturability, and schedule
• Assessing existing processes, both qualitatively and quantitatively, on a rolling and continuous basis and making improvements

• Prepares & leads technical proposals and discussions including design reviews
• Interpret and clarify customer specifications, statements of work, drawings, and performance requirements, both explicit and implied
• Maintaining knowledge of latest industry developments through technical publications, conferences and trade shows as well as interacting with vendors & technical institutions.
• Regular customer and vendor contact at a technical and commercial level, both internally at Web Industries’ sites and on visits to customers’ and vendors’ facilities

• Recommends and prepares justifications for process, technology and equipment improvements and acquisitions
• Supports complex or non‑standard application development, including first‑time builds and development programs
• Supports product transition from development to production by ensuring application requirements are fully defined and understood
• Work closely with Sales, Operations, Quality, Maintenance and Purchasing to ensure successful execution programs
• Supports root cause analysis and corrective action related to application or material performance issues
• Provides advanced technical troubleshooting for customer and internal issues related to cutting accuracy, material handling, or application fit/form/function
• Comfortable working with a high degree of autonomy, balancing multiple technical priorities while maintaining accountability, responsiveness, and alignment with cross‑functional teams - without reliance on continuous oversight or decision escalation

Performs other functions as assigned.

Travel Requirements: could range from 20-40% for customer and supplier meetings

Required Experience:
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Industrial, Manufacturing, or related discipline) and 7+ years of related experience

• Technical, Planning, and Problem-solving skills

• Strong computer skills including but not limited to MS Office Suite, MS Project and design software (e.g, AutoCAD, Autodesk Inventor [preferred], SolidWorks, etc)

• Skill with Quality, Lean, and Six-Sigma methodologies such as FMEA, DOE, SPC, etc.

• Experience using/ interacting with ERP systems

• Excellent customer relationship skills

Additional PREFERRED Qualifications/Skills

• Experience in Printing, Coating, Laminating in flexible packaging or consumer products