Application Engineer Job Description, Duties, Skills & Career Path

Description

Application engineers deal with the technical requirements, management, and design for the development of various engineering applications, such as systems, new product designs, or the improvements of processes. They are responsible for the implementation of a design or process improvement, they offer technical support for products, answer questions about the technical functionality and assist the sales team.

Other titles

The following job titles also refer to application engineer: application engineering consultant application engineering specialist applied research engineer application technology engineering consultant application technology engineer applied engineer application engineering adviser application technology engineering expert application engineering expert application technology engineering adviser application technology engineering specialist

Minimum qualifications

Bachelor’s degree is generally required to work as application engineer. However, this requirement may differ in some countries.

ISCO skill level

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Application engineer is a Skill level 4 occupation.

Application engineer career path

Similar occupations

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to application engineer. component engineer contract engineer equipment engineer language engineer logistics engineer

Promotions or specializations

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of application engineer. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of application engineer with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

Essential knowledge and skills of application engineer

Essential knowledge

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of application engineer. Engineering principles Technical drawings Project management Engineering processes

Essential skills and competences

These skills are necessary for the role of application engineer. Perform scientific research Use technical drawing software Manage engineering project Interpret technical requirements Define technical requirements

Optional knowledge and skills of application engineer

Optional knowledge

Optional skills and competences

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of application engineer. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development. Migrate existing data Supervise work on design planning Keep up with digital transformation of industrial processes Provide technical documentation Carry out inventory planning Communicate regulations Maintain logistics databases Develop automated migration methods Perform laboratory tests Identify customer requirements Identify suppliers Utilise computer-aided software engineering tools Ensure compliance with legal requirements Manage budgets Debug software Use concurrent programming Consult with technical staff Determine suitability of materials Handle customer complaints Develop translation memory software Use software design patterns Carry out tendering Use logic programming Speak different languages Execute analytical mathematical calculations Record test data Troubleshoot Create manufacturing guidelines Advise on safety improvements Apply statistical analysis techniques Write specifications Conduct quality control analysis Adjust engineering designs Perform test run Manage tender processes Collect samples for analysis Apply advanced manufacturing Maintain equipment Administer multi-modal logistics Create a product’s virtual model Meet contract specifications Train staff about product features Manage distribution channels Perform contract compliance audits Use object-oriented programming Create technical plans Analyse logistic changes Define quality standards Advise on equipment maintenance Analyse stress resistance of products Manage warehouse organisation Adapt to new design materials Archive documentation related to the work Identify customer’s needs Ensure equipment availability Build a product’s physical model Run laboratory simulations Apply safety procedures in laboratory Use methods of logistical data analysis Collect customer feedback on applications Use testing equipment Develop software prototype Use automatic programming Analyse test data Utilise machine learning Follow translation quality standards Gather experimental data Use software libraries Provide advice to technicians Develop creative ideas Use non-destructive testing equipment Create flowchart diagram Meet deadlines Manage contracts Inspect industrial equipment Manage logistics Use computer-aided translation Apply grammar and spelling rules Analyse supply chain strategies Assess supplier risks Maintain test equipment Conduct ICT code review Conduct search engine optimisation Manage sub-contract labour Ensure compliance with purchasing and contracting regulations Maintain contract administration Draft design specifications Conduct research on trends in design Manage localisation Analyse stress resistance of materials Compare contractors’ bids Develop code exploits Read engineering drawings Install machinery Ensure cross-department cooperation Use CAD software Manage product testing Develop licensing agreements Analyse supply chain trends Present detailed design proposals Design prototypes Conduct performance tests Implement efficiency plans for logistics operations Consult with design team Design electromechanical systems Liaise with engineers Write manuals Conduct experiments on animals Perform project management Use functional programming Collaborate with designers Assist scientific research Execute feasibility study Build business relationships Apply health and safety standards Estimate duration of work Issue sales invoices Train employees Use dictionaries Prepare production prototypes Assess financial viability Process customer orders Use translation memory software Integrate system components Update language skills Develop test procedures Analyse production processes for improvement Analyse software specifications Adapt to changes in technological development plans Manage contract disputes Manage warehouse operations Label samples Evaluate translation technologies Draw design sketches Design user interface Translate language concepts Manage ICT semantic integration Control production

Skills group distribution

ISCO group and title

2149 – Engineering professionals not elsewhere classified

References

ESCO U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Last updated on February 9, 2026