Field Application Engineer

Industry: Engineering

Company: Pivot + Edge

Job Summary:

The Field Application Engineer (FAE) will primarily support Tier 1 (T1) customers in the automotive industry by assisting in their design and development processes. The FAE is responsible for identifying new opportunities, deeply understanding customer requirements, and proposing tailored solutions that align with those needs. This role involves explaining semiconductor product roadmaps and specifications provided by manufacturers to secure customer projects. Additionally, the FAE will establish and maintain strong relationships with key T1 automotive customers, working closely with their technical teams and collaborating with semiconductor manufacturers’ technical teams to comprehensively support the customers’ design and development processes.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Opportunity Identification and Support: Engage with T1 automotive customers to identify new project opportunities. Understand the challenges in their design and development processes and capture detailed requirements. Present and explain the relevant semiconductor product roadmaps and specifications from manufacturers, offering solutions that meet the customer’s needs and leading to project acquisition.
• Technical Advice and Project Support: Utilize in-depth knowledge of semiconductors and related products to provide T1 customers with optimal solutions. This includes offering product demonstrations, evaluation boards, and design support. Work closely with the manufacturer’s technical teams to enhance the technical advice provided to customers. Additionally, deliver training sessions to educate customers on technical aspects.
• Project Management: Manage multiple projects simultaneously, each involving different manufacturers and T1 customers. Allocate resources according to the specific needs of each project. Oversee project timelines, ensuring that all deadlines are met. Establish criteria to evaluate business success and conduct regular design review meetings with internal Sales and supplier teams, preparing and presenting necessary documentation.
• Customer Relationship Management: Regularly visit the technical departments of T1 automotive customers to build strong, trusting relationships. Understand and address their needs and challenges, providing appropriate technical support that fosters long-term partnerships. Domestic travel is expected approximately once a week, with occasional international travel possible.
• Technical Training Provision: Collaborate closely with manufacturers to develop and deliver technical training to T1 customers and internal technical teams. These training sessions will ensure that both customers and internal teams are well-equipped with the knowledge needed to fully leverage the semiconductor products being used.
• Quality Support: Provide technical support to resolve quality-related issues, including PCN (Product Change Notifications) and product failures. Work closely with customers and manufacturers to address any issues arising from changes in product specifications or manufacturing processes. Conduct root cause analysis for product failures and collaborate on corrective actions, ensuring continuous quality improvement and minimizing the impact on customer production processes.
• Reporting and Documentation: Regularly report on the progress and challenges of each project. Prepare comprehensive project summaries, including schedules, specifications, prices, block diagrams, and organizational charts, and share these with T1 customers and internal stakeholders. Create documentation for regular design review meetings, facilitating effective information sharing with manufacturers and internal teams.

Technical Requirements:

• Securing Wins for supplier’s Target Products: A primary objective is to secure design wins for key semiconductor products within the automotive industry, including the following categories:
  • Analog Chips
  • MPUs/MCUs
  • Discrete Devices
  • SoC
  • Sensors

• Customer Engagement: Ability to understand and resolve the technical challenges of T1 automotive customers efficiently, covering the full spectrum from opportunity identification to project management.
• Project Management Skills: Capable of managing multiple projects involving different manufacturers and T1 customers, with a focus on prioritizing resources effectively and meeting project deadlines.
• Communication Skills: Excellent ability to explain technical content clearly and collaborate effectively with both internal and external stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Sales and Marketing Experience: Experience in technical support and product introduction activities is a plus.

• Bilingual Abilities: Proficiency in Japanese considered an asset.

Other Information:

• Travel: Domestic travel is expected approximately once a week, with occasional international travel possible.

Education and Experience:

• BEE, Computer Science (Preferred)

Experience:

• 5-10 years FAE experience with automotive/semiconductor industry.
• 3 years+ embedded software technical support preferred

Company perks:

• 15 days of vacation, plus 12 days of national holidays
• 40 hrs. of paid sick time off
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401 (k) with company matching
• HSA/ FSA