---
title: 'Application Engineer at Field Fastener'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/application-engineer-field-fastener-machesney-park-9htx6p8h1sjz'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-14'
---

# Application Engineer at Field Fastener

- **Company:** Field Fastener
- **Location:** Machesney Park, IL
- **Compensation:** $65k–$85k
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** onsite
- **Posted:** 2026-05-20
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-14
- **Apply:** https://jobs.lever.co/fieldfastener/6c2bb5bf-fe27-4801-966b-aa01e6d97d78

## Job description

Company Overview: Field is a family-owned global supplier of fasteners, "C" commodities, inventory management services, and technical support. We currently have locations in Rockford, IL (headquarters), Texas, South Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Mexico, and Taiwan. For over 30 years, Field has grown an average of 19% annually because of its dedication to lowering our customers overall cost and improving quality through a technical approach to fasteners. By joining Field, you will experience an exceptional culture built on Integrity, Commitment, Teamwork, Innovation, Flexibility, and Fun! Field was recognized by INC. magazine as one of the fastest growing privately owned companies in the USA. Field has been recognized nationally by Great Places to Work as one of the Best Small Companies in America, ranking #8 nationally among small companies and #5 nationally among manufacturing/production companies.  For several years, Field has been recognized locally by the Rockford Register Star as one of the top Employers in the area. At Field, having a great culture is more than a priority – it’s everything. For more information about our culture and company, please watch this Culture Video. All full-time positions at Field are eligible for benefits including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, 401(k), Life Coaching, paid Vacation, paid Holidays, paid Volunteer Time, quarterly Bonuses, and more! Visit our Careers page for a complete list of benefit offerings.

Position Summary: The Application Engineer combines hands-on engineering, customer interaction, product/application review, testing, technical presentations, and cross-functional problem solving.  This position evaluates fastening applications, recommends technical solutions, supports cost-savings opportunities, validates product performance, and becomes a trusted technical resource for both customers and internal teams.  This role solves real manufacturing and fastening challenges with customers. The position requires a strong mechanical engineering foundation, practical mechanical aptitude, and the ability to work directly with customers, sales, suppliers, quality, and internal FIELD teams.

This position reports to: Engineering Manager This position has direct reports: No Location: Machesney Park, IL or Columbus, OH FLSA Hourly/Salary: Starting Salary $65,000-$85,000

Essential Functions:

- Commit to FIELD’s Mission Statement, Core Values, and Fieldamentals.
- Partner with customers, sales, suppliers, quality, operations, and engineering team members to solve fastening, assembly, product, and application challenges.
- Review customer applications, prints, specifications, materials, finishes, assembly conditions, and performance requirements to identify risks, improvement opportunities, and practical solutions.
- Provide technical recommendations that support cost reduction, design improvement, quality enhancement, part consolidation, standardization, manufacturability, and product performance.
- Use hands-on engineering methods, testing equipment, samples, machining resources, and application reviews to investigate issues, validate solutions, and support customer decisions.
- Support line reviews, customer visits, product investigations, VA/VE activities, supplier discussions, and implementation of approved engineering recommendations.
- Develop and deliver clear technical presentations, reports, findings, and recommendations for customers and internal stakeholders.
- Build trusted relationships by providing accurate, timely, and practical technical support to customers, suppliers, and FIELD team members.
- Continue developing fastener and fastening-system expertise through ongoing training, mentoring, customer exposure, and hands-on project work.
- Work independently while managing multiple priorities, maintaining strong follow-through, and using data and practical reasoning to influence decisions.
- Contribute to a collaborative team environment built on accountability, technical curiosity, continuous improvement, and FIELD’s Mission Statement, Core Values, and Fieldamentals.
- Travel approximately 25–50% to support customer visits, line reviews, supplier meetings, project work, technical investigations, and business initiatives. Some overnight travel may be required.

Education, Skills and Experience Required:

- High school diploma or GED equivalent required.
- Minimum of three years of experience in an engineering, manufacturing, technical support, application engineering, product engineering, quality engineering, or related technical role.
- Strong understanding of mechanical engineering principles.
- Practical mechanical aptitude with a hands-on, roll-up-your-sleeves approach to problem solving.
- Experience working in or supporting a manufacturing environment.
- Ability to interact professionally with customers and internal teams, including delivering technical presentations and explaining recommendations clearly.
- Working knowledge of fasteners, fastener manufacturing, or fastening applications.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
- Experience with CAD software such as SolidWorks, AutoCAD, Pro/ENGINEER, or similar platforms.
- Ability to manage priorities independently, follow through on commitments, and communicate technical information with accuracy and professionalism.

Additional Skills Preferred:

- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Technology, or a related technical field.
- Experience with fastening applications, torque/tension relationships, materials, coatings, thread forms, product validation, print review, or failure investigation.
- Experience supporting customer-facing technical projects, cost-savings initiatives, VA/VE work, product standardization, or quality improvement activities.
- Prior leadership, supervisory, project leadership, or technical mentoring experience.

Field provides equal employment opportunities to all team members and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Please view our Texting privacy policy here : https://1976772.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/1976772/Privacy%20Policy%20%20Employ%20-%20Texting%20Field%20Fastener.pdf

and our Terms of Service agreement here. https://1976772.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/1976772/TOS-%20Employ%20-%20Field%20Fastener.pdf

## About Field Fastener

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Field Fastener is a full-service, data-driven fastener supply chain and engineering partner providing vendor-managed inventory and cost-reduction solutions for Class C industrial items.
- **Entity Type**: Private (Bootstrapped – no external funding rounds identified)
- **Headquarters**: Machesney Park, Illinois, United States
- **Founded**: 1976
- **Founders**: Dick Field (founder); business purchased in 1990 by Bill Derry and Jim Derry

## Core Business
- Primary industry: Industrial Supply Chain, Fastener Distribution, Value-Added Engineering
- Target customers: B2B, Enterprise, and SMB manufacturing and assembly companies across North America and globally
- Mission statement: “To have everyone who interacts with us, LOVE us.” Core strategic focus is to “Improve lives.”

## Products & Services
- **Vendor-Managed Inventory (VMI) Programs**: A proactive, data-driven approach that monitors fastener usage and automatically replenishes stock, eliminating waste and reducing labor costs.
- **Value-Added Engineering Services**: Technical support to help customers optimize total cost of assembly, including fastener specification, design review, and application engineering.
- **Supply Chain & Logistics Solutions**: Global sourcing and distribution of fasteners and other Class C commodities, with inventory management systems that improve availability and lower procurement costs.
- **On-Demand Fastener Supply**: Traditional distribution of a wide range of industrial fasteners.

## Market Standing
- **Key Metric**: Annual Revenue of approximately $102.5M (based on available business data)
- **Funding Status**: Bootstrapped (no venture capital or outside funding. The company has financed growth organically since 1990.)
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Ownership by Bill Derry and Jim Derry (private); strong supply partnerships globally.
- **Growth Signals**: Averaged ~19–20% annual growth rate since 1990; maintained +7.4% headcount growth year-over-year (to 162 employees). Recent acquisitions include Mid-State Bolt & Nut (2023) and HRS Logistics (2014).

## Competitive Advantages
- **Engineering-Led Approach**: A unique combination of engineering expertise with supply chain management — not just a distributor but a true cost-reduction partner.
- **Proprietary VMI & Data Systems**: Data-driven inventory management that provides measurable, ongoing cost savings year-over-year for customers.
- **Long-Term Stability and Culture**: 90+ consecutive years of profitability and growth under consistent private ownership with a deeply ingrained, award-winning culture.
- **Global Footprint with Deep Local Service**: Operations across the U.S., Mexico, Taiwan, and Canada, while maintaining a strong regional presence and community focus.

## Strategic Focus
- **Improve Lives**: The central pillar of their strategic plan, focusing on the well-being of team members, customers, and communities.
- **Customer Cost Reduction**: Deepening their role as a “Customer Cost Reduction Expert” through technical and inventory innovations.
- **World-Class Culture & Leadership Excellence**: Continued investment in internal training, leadership development (including a High Potential Program), and team member recognition.
- **Profitable Growth**: Pursuing further strategic acquisitions and organic expansion while maintaining their unique culture.

## Why Work Here
- **Award-Winning Workplace**: Consistently ranked #1 in multiple categories (Best Workplace Culture, Best Training Program, Best Overall Company to Work For, etc.) for two consecutive years.
- **Strong Internal Promotion Culture**: High commitment to promoting from within — 29 internal promotions in 2024 and 42 in 2023.
- **Comprehensive Training & Development**: Extensive new hire training, onsite technical training, LinkedIn Learning access, a 10-month High Potential leadership program, and partnerships with Dale Carnegie and Carroll-Keller Group.
- **Excellent Benefits**: Medical, dental, vision, 401K with match, paid parental leave, flexible spending accounts, tuition reimbursement, quarterly bonus program, fitness reimbursement, paid volunteer time, and a financial assistance program.
- **Hybrid & Office Flexibility**: Work-from-home options available alongside on-site roles in locations like Florence, SC; Columbia, SC; and Machesney Park, IL. Onsite fitness centers at some locations.
- **Strong Community & Culture**: Highly values family-focus, teamwork, and community involvement with a 30-point ethical code called the “Fieldamentals.” Active volunteer culture with support for multiple local charities.

## Sources
1. [fieldfastener.com](https://www.fieldfastener.com/careers) – Careers page with benefits and promotion data
2. [fieldfastener.com](https://www.fieldfastener.com/culture) – Culture page with mission, values, and awards
3. [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/field-fastener) – Company profile with headcount, revenue, and open positions
4. [jobs.lever.co](https://jobs.lever.co/fieldfastener) – Current job openings

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