JAPANESE BILINGUAL PRODUCT APPLICATION ENGINEER

SMALLEY STEEL RING COMPANY is seeking a Japanese Bilingual Product Application Engineer to support customer requests for Smalley retaining rings and wave-spring products. In this onsite role in Lake Zurich, IL, you will evaluate applications, provide quotes and design input, and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders while using Japanese language skills to support customer communication.

This position focuses on turning customer requirements into practical product recommendations through application evaluation, design support, and testing. You will also partner with manufacturing to align on processes and lead times, and help support customer interactions, including trade show participation.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate customer requests to determine whether requested items are manufactured by Smalley.
• Apply a working understanding of retaining ring and wave-spring concepts to support application design.
• Provide phone support to customers.
• Investigate customer application design requirements to verify and/or recommend optimal products, working with manufacturing to determine effective processes such as lead time, tooling, and packaging.
• Create detailed outlines of customer requirements and provide initial sign-offs for design approvals for most designs.
• Interpret customer-specific specifications, including quality specifications, materials, and finishes.
• Provide input on cost optimization and analyze lead time requirements.
• Contact customers to provide quotation information and determine next steps on quotations when applicable.
• Explain design concepts to Drafting and Manufacturing to support tolerances, part drawing and layout needs, and design-specific notation.
• Investigate, analyze, recommend, and authorize design changes for Smalley products.
• Perform cycle testing and installation testing, and recommend possible alternatives.
• Attend trade shows to assist Marketing and Sales with customer interactions.

Requirements

• Ability to speak, read, and write Japanese fluently.
• Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Engineering from an accredited four-year institution.
• Proficient understanding of mechanical applications showcased.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced work environment.
• Skilled at managing multiple projects simultaneously.

Compensation

• USD 75,000 - 95,000 per year.

Benefits

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• 401k match
• Life insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement
• PTO
• Company and department led team-building activities and events
• Ongoing learning and training and development opportunities
• Life, accident & disability
• Parental leave
• Employee assistance program
• Paid holidays
• Paid time off and 401(k)

EEO/Affirmative Action

SMALLEY STEEL RING COMPANY is an equal opportunity employer and believes in equal opportunity for all employees and applicants. Recruitment, selection, promotion, transfer, discipline, compensation, benefits, training, and other personnel actions occur without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth and related conditions), age, national origin, disability, genetic information, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender identity, creed, ancestry, marital status, or any other legally protected class as recognized.