Applications Engineer, Paxton Products and Vortec

Company Description

ITW Air Management, a business unit of Illinois Tool Works (ITW), a Fortune 200 company, is a leader in the design and manufacturing of high-performance industrial centrifugal blowers, vortex tubes, and auxiliary equipment. Air Management provides these solutions for a variety of industrial applications, including Food and Beverage, General Industrial, and Electronics. Air Management is a manufacturing organization with a strong growth opportunity. It is located in a beautiful setting in Blue Ash, Ohio, just north of Cincinnati.

ITW Air Management is tied closely with Pillar Technologies (Hartland, WI), both are business units within ITW’s Electrostatics Division. In April 2023, Pillar and ITW Air Management announced a unified sales, marketing, and applications teams. Pillar Technologies is a leader in designing and manufacturing surface treatment equipment and induction sealers.

Founded in 1912, Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW) is one of the world’s leading diversified manufacturers of specialized industrial equipment, consumables, and related service businesses. Through a unique business model focused on decentralization and an entrepreneurial culture, business units are encouraged to innovate and execute ITW’s front-to-back process. ITW businesses serve local customers and global markets, with a significant presence in developed and emerging markets. The company operates in 56 countries and employs more than 50,000 women and men who adhere to the highest ethical standards.

Visit the company websites at ITW Air Management, Pillar Technologies, ITW

Job Description

The job duties of the Applications Engineer will be two-fold. Firstly, the Application Engineer is responsible for engineering solutions for customer applications, preparing proposals and quotations based on customer needs, process requirements, and product expertise. Secondly, the ideal candidate will possess mechanical engineering and/or design skills enabling them to modify existing designs to meet customer and manufacturing requirements.

Prior knowledge of airflow dynamics and blower performance curves is preferred. The candidate must possess strong written and verbal communication skills, to ensure effective work with internal personnel and external customers at various levels of the organization.

The Application Engineer reports to the Sales Manager but will interface with manufacturing, marketing, and engineering. The Application Engineer supports the sales process by supplying application information, technical drawings, quotations, quote follow-up, troubleshooting, and system installations and will also take technical direction from the Engineering Manager.

Key Responsibilities and Requirements

• Prepare quotes and proposals for customers, based on your engineering calculations for sizing the blower and air delivery devices. Follow up with customers on a routine basis, to close the opportunity. 
• Skilled with CAD-type software and capable of assisting in the modification of existing designs to meet customer and manufacturing needs.
• Respond to all incoming technical service and quote requests, via phone, email, and chat.
• Passion for meeting customer needs by providing technical support to customers via face-to-face meetings, phone, e-mail, and other forums.
• Drive to meet sales objectives, through follow-up on quotes and opportunities.
• The ability to develop and maintain high-quality relationships with customers
• Work with the CBI (R&D) and marketing teams to transmit the voice of the customer data/requirements, prepare case studies, and assist with marketing content creation.
• Participate in project calls with customers and the internal team. 

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Technology, or similar field
• 3-5 years of engineering, technical sales or application engineering experience is preferred, candidates with less experience are encouraged to apply.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, and the ability to communicate with various levels internally and externally.
• Proficient in 3D mechanical design. Familiarity with Autodesk 3D Inventor or SolidWorks is a plus.
• High mechanical aptitude is required. 
• Previous work with blowers or air compressors is a plus. 
• Hands on experience with industrial equipment, and able to safely work on equipment.
• Strong computer skills including MS Office and Salesforce CRM 
• Able to travel (estimated 10%) to visit customer sites

Additional Information

Physical Requirements & Work Environment

The physical demands/work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to a lab environment including bending, lifting, and electrical safety

• Ability to perform repetitive motion type tasks regularly such as typing, using fingers and hands.

• The ability to wear safety personal protective gear as required

• Ability to communicate with others to exchange information

Our employees enjoy competitive, merit-based salaries plus excellent benefits including:

• Health and dental insurance
• Company Paid Life Insurance / Short and Long Term Disability
• 401K plan with generous company match
• Vacation, personal days and holidays
• Continuing education reimbursement program
• Flexible spending accounts

ITW Company Overview

ITW was built on innovation and the strength of new ideas. These values have helped us expand into multiple platforms in nearly 60 countries. But at each of our businesses, the independent entrepreneurial spirit and freedom to innovate remain strong. It’s the highly talented people at ITW businesses all over the world who drive our success through new products and customer-driven solutions. Together, we are ITW—a Fortune 200 company that has prospered for 100 years and changed the way people live and work, all over the world.

ITW is an equal opportunity employer. We value our colleagues’ unique perspectives, experiences, and ideas and create workplaces where everyone can develop their careers and perform to their full potential. 

As an equal employment opportunity employer, ITW is committed to equal employment opportunity and fair treatment for employees, beginning with the hiring process and continuing through all aspects of the employment relationship. 

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected Veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.

ITW is an equal opportunity employer. We value our colleagues’ unique perspectives, experiences and ideas and create workplaces where everyone can develop their careers and perform to their full potential. 

As an equal employment opportunity employer, ITW is committed to equal employment opportunity and fair treatment for employees, beginning with the hiring process and continuing through all aspects of the employment relationship. 

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected Veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.

ITW is an equal opportunity employer. We value our colleagues’ unique perspectives, experiences and ideas and create workplaces where everyone can develop their careers and perform to their full potential. 

As an equal employment opportunity employer, ITW is committed to equal employment opportunity and fair treatment for employees, beginning with the hiring process and continuing through all aspects of the employment relationship. 

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected Veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.