Application Development Engineer (Outside Sales)

Location: Eastern, United States
Salary: $100,000 - $110,000 annually + bonus opportunity, car and phone allowance
Travel: 50%+ (customer-facing territory role)

Drive Innovation in Aerospace & Composites

GracoRoberts is seeking an experienced Application Development Engineer (ADE) to join our team in Southern California. This unique role combines technical expertise with strategic business development, helping aerospace and advanced manufacturing customers identify, qualify, and implement innovative material solutions.

As an ADE, you'll partner directly with engineering, manufacturing, and supply chain teams to develop new applications, advance resin qualification opportunities, and drive profitable growth. This position is ideal for a technically minded sales professional who enjoys solving complex customer challenges and building long-term relationships.

What You'll Do

• Develop and execute a customer-focused growth strategy to achieve sales goals and expand market share.

• Build relationships with engineers, program managers, manufacturing leaders, and procurement teams to uncover opportunities.

• Lead new formulation, qualification, and application-development projects from concept to commercialization.

• Coordinate internal resources to deliver samples, technical data, pricing proposals, and customer solutions.

• Maintain a robust sales pipeline and provide territory assessments and market intelligence.

• Collaborate with formulation and technical teams to identify emerging customer and industry needs.

• Promote value-added solutions including resin pre-blending, toll manufacturing, formulation development, and packaging improvements.

What We're Looking For

• Strong background in aerospace composites manufacturing and materials.

• Proven success in technical sales, business development, or application engineering.

• Ability to quickly understand complex materials, manufacturing processes, and customer requirements.

• Strong organization, planning, and project management abilities.

• Experience with commercial or military aircraft, rockets, launch vehicles, or satellite applications is preferred.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Materials Science, Business, or a related field, or equivalent industry experience.

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in composite materials, process technology, application engineering, chemistry, or technical sales.

 If you are passionate about aerospace materials, enjoy solving technical challenges, and thrive in a relationship-driven environment, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply today and help shape the future of aerospace manufacturing.