Location: Irvine, California
Employment Type: Full-Time
Industry: Manufacturing & Production
Job Category: Engineering – Industrial / Manufacturing
Experience: 7+ years
Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree
Travel: Up to 25% globally
Visa Sponsorship: Not available
Security Clearance: Not required
Relocation Assistance: Possible for an ideal candidate
Salary: $108,000- $140,000
Our client is a global technology and manufacturing organization focused on innovation, sustainability, and collaboration. The company develops advanced solutions used across a wide range of industries and serves customers worldwide through a portfolio of trusted brands and cutting-edge technologies.
The position is part of the organization's Adhesive Technologies business unit, which develops adhesives, sealants, and functional coatings that help customers improve product performance, manufacturing processes, and competitive advantage. The team works closely with customers and internal technical experts to develop innovative solutions for complex manufacturing applications.
Position OverviewThe Lead Application Engineer is a strategic technical role supporting circuit board encapsulant application development and customer field-service needs.
The position serves as a key connection between customers, field teams, and laboratory/application engineering personnel. The successful candidate will translate customer requirements into technical solutions, support new application development, optimize material and assembly processes, and troubleshoot product and process-related challenges.
Approximately 50% of the role will involve collaboration with Lab/Application Engineering teams, while the remaining 50% will involve direct customer-facing technical support.
Key Responsibilities- Support development and optimization of board-level encapsulant applications.
- Serve as the technical interface between customers, field teams, and laboratory/application engineering groups.
- Capture and translate customer requirements into new applications and product development opportunities.
- Design and administer internal screening evaluations for developmental and commercialized products.
- Optimize material assembly and application processes.
- Troubleshoot product and process-related issues directly with customers.
- Provide technical support and on-site assistance to customers globally.
- Collaborate closely with Sales, Product Development, Marketing, R&D, and other cross-functional teams.
- Support global consumer electronics manufacturing customers.
- Work with application engineering and laboratory teams to evaluate materials and processes.
- Travel internationally as needed, with travel expected to be up to 25%.
- Help identify opportunities to improve application processes and customer solutions.
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering, Materials Science, or a related discipline.
- 7+ years of professional experience in R&D or Application Engineering with a Bachelor's/Master's degree.
- Alternatively, a Doctoral degree with 5+ years of relevant experience.
- Strong knowledge of circuit board encapsulant products.
- Knowledge of Surface Mount Technology (SMT).
- Demonstrated direct customer support and engagement experience.
- Strong technical troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to work effectively with global, cross-functional teams.
- Willingness and ability to travel internationally up to 25%.
- Experience with material dispensing and printing processes.
- Knowledge of liquid application equipment and processes.
- Experience with statistical analysis tools such as Minitab or JMP.
- Experience working collaboratively across Sales, Product Development, and Marketing teams.
- Experience supporting consumer electronics manufacturing customers.
The ideal candidate will be a technically strong Application Engineer or R&D Engineer with hands-on experience in electronics manufacturing, circuit board encapsulation, SMT, materials application, and customer technical support.
Strong customer-facing communication skills are essential, as this position requires the ability to understand complex customer challenges and translate them into practical technical solutions. The candidate should also be comfortable working with global teams and traveling internationally to support customers.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering, Materials Science, or a related discipline
- 7+ years of professional experience in R&D or Application Engineering with a Bachelor's or Master's degree
- Doctoral degree with 5+ years of relevant experience as an alternative education and experience combination
- Strong knowledge of circuit board encapsulant products
- Knowledge of Surface Mount Technology (SMT)
- Direct customer support and engagement experience
- Strong technical troubleshooting and problem-solving skills
- Ability to work effectively with global, cross-functional teams
- Willingness and ability to travel internationally up to 25%
- Experience with material dispensing and printing processes
- Knowledge of liquid application equipment and processes
- Experience with statistical analysis tools such as Minitab or JMP
- Experience collaborating across Sales, Product Development, and Marketing teams
- Experience supporting consumer electronics manufacturing customers
What We Do
WHO Founded in 2006 and headquartered in Redmond, WA. Our Senior Leadership team has more than 137 years of combined experience in the Telecommunications and Software Industry. Inabia is built on family values and close-knit culture. This commitment extends to the relationships we build with both our employees and our business partnerships. As a Minority Certified business, we strive to positively impact society through technology, people, and innovation. WHAT For over a decade, we have been providing powerful IT and business solutions to individuals and businesses alike. Here at Inabia, we believe that our success reflects our clients’ success. HOW We are fortunate to be situated in a city where technology and innovation is not only appreciated; but part of day to day lives. We are a growing company that has adapted and evolved our approach, helping us to exceed the ever-changing needs and requirements of our clients. WHY We are a company that fosters and values relationships, as a result many of our clients have been with us from the start of our journey. We ensure that our partners have access to best-in-class professional support, management consulting and staffing services. We make sure our consultants are carefully screened and selected based on their experience. This process ensures that we meet or exceed the specific needs of our clients.
