Applications Engineer

Hi, I’m a Pump Applications Engineer. What do I do?

About me: I provide technical expertise in pump selection based on the application criteria. I consider the design points and variability, fluid properties and inlet pressure, installation limitations, and end use market to offer the best pumping solution. To best meet the application, the final solutions can include various: pump technologies and orientations, materials of construction, valves, seals, mechanical drive train, driver, instrumentation, and variable speed controls. I love what I do because these products work behind the scenes to power and supply the world, and when I do my job well the pump will operate efficiently and reliably.

What I’m good at: I’m good at fitting the technical solution to the presented challenge.  This requires me to be detailed oriented in gathering the required upfront information, excited to learn product lines and the systems they are best suited for and have deep understanding of pump system fundamentals. I’m also flexible. For example, one day I might be working internally to develop a proposal and the next I may be supporting the marketing team to describe a new product offering. Or I may be consulting with customers or the outside sales team to ensure we offer the best standard or custom-fit solutions. You could say I’m an advisor and you wouldn’t be wrong

What I like: I like leading product and technical design reviews, and I like meeting the needs of clients. I also like to develop detailed specifications, designs, and computer-aided design (CAD) models. I like to demonstrate product technologies and subsystems for prospects and clients.

What I’m looking for: I’m looking for the opportunity to have decision authority on technical feasibility, in coordination with customers, sales and marketing, and engineering. I want to help create customer update notices, so they know when changes to products are made. I also want to be engaged with the product team, this way, together, we can coordinate efforts to improve systems based on market demands.

My education: I have a BS in mechanical engineering, but others like me hold majors in other engineering disciplines or have gotten comparable training. Most pump applications engineers have several years of professional experience. Occasionally I’ve been asked if I have master’s degree. I have strong analytical skills. I’m told I have analytical skills and independent-time and project-management skills. I have excellent knowledge of MS Office, Pardot and Salesforce. Some of the best training I received was mentoring from the product engineers and time spent in the test laboratory to understand how the products work. The training period lasts six months to a full year.

Where I work: I work on various types of pumps and related equipment, including booster pumps, sewage pumps, rainwater harvesting pumps and agricultural dirty and clean water systems. There are some hotspots throughout the United States where my skills are more needed than others, but you can find me anywhere, really. Some favorite places are Pennsylvania, Texas, the West Coast, and the South. Site visits will be required from time to time to troubleshoot customer problems or to deliver or pick-up components.

How much I make: As an intermediate applications engineer with three to five years of experience in the position, I make an average salary of $85,000 but the pay normally ranges from $67,000 to $79,000. I know other applications engineers who are at the senior level with over six years of experience and their pay ranges from $82,000 to $114,000 with an average salary of $99,000.