Application Development Engineer - Industrial Adhesives & Tapes

Purpose of the Job:

Lead application engineering for West Territory Pune & Pune Annex. Drive applications, specifications, and end-use solutions for Automotive, Appliance, General Industrial, Specialty Vehicles, and other manufacturing segments. Support and grow Pune converter markets by driving faster application conversions. Expand lab footprint and leverage lab capabilities for regional customer support.

Key Responsibilities:

• Application Development:

  Identify new areas of application for IATD products; translate customer requirements into technical specifications; conduct trials and approvals; demonstrate 3M IATD solutions value across the product lifecycle; identify new markets and growth opportunities.

• Product Field Evaluation & Field Support:

  Connect customers with product development teams; conduct field trials, VOC, QFD, FMEA; draft specifications for new products; provide technical support to sales and marketing; generate technical documentation, SOPs, and trial reports; maintain network with other 3M subsidiaries.

• Leading & Influencing:

  Act as an industry expert; participate in standards committees like BIS; influence industry specifications and regulations; engage with government agencies and regulatory bodies; present at seminars/conferences and publish in journals.

• Educate / Training:

  Conduct customer and internal trainings on 3M IATD solutions, both on-site and at 3M facilities; create training modules and schedules; gather feedback.

• Digital Tools & Simulation:

  Develop material data cards; educate customers on material properties; perform finite element analysis and simulation studies.

• Customer Process & Materials Understanding:

  Support design-to-scale journeys; demonstrate material science and process expertise; drive ASPEC (Assembly, Substrate, Process, End-use, Cost) value selling.

• Competitive Intelligence & Insights:

  Conduct benchmarking studies; analyze competitor products and strategies; develop competitive intelligence and counter-strategies.

• Specification & Technical Database Management:

  Draft product and application specifications; maintain technical databases; document trials, visit reports, and technical bulletins.

• Business Support:

  Participate in strategic technical planning; support sales tools, demos, technical verifications, VOC/VOM surveys, and portfolio planning.

• Lab Management & Safety:

  Develop lab infrastructure; plan and procure equipment, samples, and PPEs; conduct evaluations and generate reports; ensure lab safety compliance.

• Intellectual Property & Insights:

  Follow IP protocols; capture customer VOC and insights at technology and segment levels.

• Code of Conduct & Compliance:

  Ensure adherence to 3M Code of Conduct, financial and administrative systems, lab and EHS norms, statutory regulations, and commercial agreements.

Qualifications & Skills:

• Graduate / Postgraduate in Engineering (Polymer, Rubber, or Chemical Technology preferred).
• 8 10 years of industrial experience, preferably in technical service or application engineering roles.
• Digital and automation exposure required, including simulation and prototyping in assemblies.
• Strong analytical, presentation, and communication skills.
• Understanding of shop floor processes, product applications, testing equipment, and analytical instruments.
• Knowledge of IP protocols, Six Sigma, statistical tools is an advantage.
• Strong team player with independent working capability and effective internal/external networking skills