Associate Field Engineer 1 in Des Moines, Iowa at PENDLECO LLC

Position Summary

The Associate Field Engineer provides an extension of our engineering services to sales and service centers (SSC) and their end users in markets and applications that are strategic and critical to Swagelok. The Associate Field Engineer’s primary focus is to provide application knowledge and technical support to targeted product and service initiatives, market segments, and key clients. In addition, the Associate Field Engineer will develop and provide fluid handling solutions to specific client needs and specifications through project support and onsite troubleshooting as part of evaluation and advisory services.

The Associate Field Engineer supports the development, application, and sale of engineered fluid system solutions. This role focuses on developing technical competency in instrumentation, sampling systems, analyzer systems, rotating equipment support systems, and integrated assemblies while learning client engagement and commercial processes.

Onboarding will include a short-term assignment (6-12 months) in the Engineering Department in Lenexa, KS followed by entry and training in the FE program with eventual relocation.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

% of Time Essential Functions

55%

• Provide technical support for both inside and outside clients; accompany sales on client visits; present in sales and operations meetings; track and follow-up on various opportunities and activities at key accounts; prepare and review quotes for CS

25%

• Review client applications and convert into Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs) for CS Assemblies by checking material compatibility, pressure & temperature requirements, and flow; includes evaluating third party components and cross-reference with Swagelok parts; Review large project bid package and specifications

10%

• Layout design work using SolidWorks and generating bills of materials (BOMs);
• Create assembly drawings; examples include: sales drawings with piping diagrams, shop drawings for assembly, machine drawings for vendors, or wrap drawing for vendors.

10%

• Participation in the Field Engineering program

Other Responsibilities

• Perform evaluations of client fluid systems to identify areas of improvement, drive plant efficiencies, and offer possible solutions via formal reports.
• Select and recommend products into specific client applications.
• Provide SSC training and technical support on products and applications.
• Develop plans and implement activities to support the SSC operating and marketing business plans.
• Collaborate with other Field Engineers on technical applications and solutions.
• Identify the changing application needs for new products and existing products while providing feedback to the appropriate factory personnel on improvements to products or services.
• Review internal Custom Solutions CAD drawings
• Support continuous improvement projects companywide (typically CAD drawings, graphics creation, or excel programming)
• Act as the technical representative in support of existing installations and product returns.
• Document and track involvement with various new business opportunities in CRM software. KPIs include activities, new opportunities, and won opportunities.
• Participation in Sandler Training

Position Requirements or Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Chemical Engineering or equivalent in science related field required;
• Three years of industry experience with fluid controls or products in one or more focused market/application segments.
• And/or combination of education and experience is required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Proven mechanical and technical aptitude
• Strong Communication and Organizational skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook
• SolidWorks proficiency preferred
• Able to understand client applications and develop/provide fluid handling solutions to specific client needs and specifications
• Skilled in interpreting and understanding client applications and documents in order to develop P&ID and fluid schematics.
• Ability to solve complex problems and complete multiple projects using problem solving methods to make sound engineering decisions.

Competencies:

• Self-Awareness: Ability to recognize their own feelings and how their actions and behaviors impact others
• Client Orientation: Delivering, anticipating, and maintaining professionalism with clients.
• Fosters Communication (Listening, Verbal Fluency): Active listening style that achieves understanding and appreciation for others, and expressing oneself in a clear and well-articulated fashion appropriate to audience.
• Innovation: Seek out creative and alternative ways to approach an opportunity or redefine an existing situation.
• Teamwork & Collaboration: Ability to work effectively with others to deliver results.
• Thinking (Speed, Agility): Have the capacity to be quick, agile, and flexible in a variety of thinking modes.
• Adaptability/Resilience: Recovers quickly from change or setbacks.

Other Requirements of the Job:

• Must be able to travel up to 60%
• Business casual attire

Developmental Levels:

• Associate Field Engineer Levels 1/2 – Entry-level FE role, focused on developing product & applications knowledge, developing relationship with clients as technical solutions advisor
• Regional Field Engineer Levels 3/4 – Mid-level FE role, focused on advanced/specific applications knowledge, design and recommendations for client systems, engagement in larger, more comprehensive opportunities, significant contributor to the global FE team and efforts
• Senior Field Engineer Levels 5/6 – Senior level FE role, focused on strategic growth as a solutions and service provider, confident and consistent technical advisor, significant experience in specific markets and applications, capable of leading local and global FE teams, strong subject matter expertise
• Principal Field Engineer Levels 7+ - The Principal Field Engineer is the organization’s highest-level technical authority in engineered fluid systems and technical sales support. This role shapes technical strategy, drives innovation, and serves as a senior advisor for the company’s most strategic customers and opportunities.

Work Environment and/or Physical Requirements

Physical Demands:

• Ability to lift 30 pounds consistently, and 50 – 100 pounds occasionally
• Frequently required to stand, walk, use hands to handle or feel, reach with hands and arms, and use power tools; occasionally required to stoop, crouch, kneel, or climb ladders
• Regularly required to talk and hear
• Vision requirements of the Visual Acuity test, including ability to identify colors

Work Environment

• This job operates in a professional office environment.
• This job occasionally operates in a warehouse setting
• This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, as well as shop equipment such as power tools and forklift
• Sales visits to plants, manufacturers, and other offices exposes the Sales Associate to a variety of environments.
• May be exposed to high temperatures and/or loud noises while wearing PPE.
• Will spend up to 50% of time driving to client sites or attend training.
• Occasionally required to wear safety equipment such as hard hat, steel tow boots, or safety glasses to accompany clients in their work environment.