Applications Engineering

The Applications Engineer will play a crucial role in collaborating with customers, suppliers, and purchasing teams to ensure the continuity of production. This role focuses on engineering development aimed at product improvement and cost reduction. The engineer will work cross-functionally to ensure that designs are manufacturable and meet quality and functional requirements. Responsibilities include working with suppliers to implement engineering changes, coordinating component development, and managing resolutions. Additionally, the engineer will support purchasing efforts to change suppliers for cost-saving initiatives, conduct tests, and assist production. The role also involves coordinating the building, testing, and shipment of engineering prototypes to customers and offering expertise in brake system design to assist customers with booster specifications.

Responsibilities

• Design and engineer new or revised applications of hydraulic brake boosters, associated brake master cylinders, disc brake calipers, and driveline park brakes.
• Conduct engineering development for ongoing product improvement and cost reduction.
• Provide technical definitions for cost studies.
• Support manufacturing processes.
• Perform dimensional stack-ups to ensure compliance with design guidelines.
• Create development plans and DFMEAs for assemblies and components.
• Direct designers in packaging studies and detailing drawings.
• Check and approve drawings before release.
• Coordinate engineering design changes and releases of prints and BOMs using the drawing change system.
• Review, write, and revise test specifications related to product requirements and testing.
• Direct technicians in development and product validation testing for new or revised designs.
• Document test results and analysis in formal test reports.
• Interface with customers and sales to ensure compliance with customer requirements and needs.
• Assist customers in compliance with government brake regulations.
• Conduct root cause analysis on product defects attributable to design.
• Provide quality support through production validation, annual certification, and Z-audit testing.
• Assist with root cause investigations for warranty support.

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering (BSME preferred).
• 5+ years of experience as an engineer within the automotive industry.
• Strong understanding of automotive customer approvals, DFMEAs, and IATF standards.
• Ability to analyze and evaluate testing data from test labs.
• Experience working with customers and suppliers.
• Familiarity with automotive manufacturing processes including machining, assembly, and component manufacturing.
• CAD experience with NX software.

• Experience working at an OEM supplier is a plus.
• Brake experience is advantageous.

The Applications Engineer will report to the Engineering Manager and work within a team of three other engineers. The role involves cross-functional collaboration with manufacturing, production, testing labs, quality, and warranty teams. The position requires working 40-45 hours per week. The location specializes in manufacturing automotive brake components and offers a smaller team environment that fosters skill development and growth opportunities. Benefits include 10 days of PTO, 6 paid holidays, and access to Udemy after 6 months.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Bridgman, MI.

The pay range for this position is $40.86 - $48.08/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:
• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a fully onsite position in Bridgman,MI.

This position is anticipated to close on Apr 24, 2026.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

At Actalent, diversity and inclusion are a bridge towards the equity and success of our people. DE&I is embedded into our culture through:

• Hiring diverse talent
• Maintaining an inclusive environment through persistent self-reflection
• Building a culture of care, engagement, and recognition with clear outcomes
• Ensuring growth opportunities for our people

Actalent is an equal opportunity employer.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services. For more than 40 years, we’ve helped visionary companies advance their goals. Headquartered in the United States, our teams span 150 offices across North America, EMEA, and APAC—with four delivery centers in India led by 1,000+ extraordinary employees who connect their passion with purpose every day.

Our Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, and Chennai delivery centers are hubs of engineering expertise, with core capabilities in mechanical and electrical engineering, systems and software, and manufacturing engineering. Our teams deliver work across multiple industries including transportation, consumer and industrial products, and life sciences. We serve more than 4,500 clients, including many Fortune 500 brands. Learn more about how we can work together at actalentservices.com.