Product Application Engineer

The Product Application Engineer (PAE) - Drives serves as the technical owner for motor control and variable frequency drive (VFD) solutions, supporting opportunities from pre-sales through early project execution.

This role ensures Drive system architectures are safe, compliant, properly sized, and executable, acting as the technical bridge between Sales, Project Management, and Engineering.

The PAE protects the customer, project execution, and Drives portfolio by ensuring only buildable, technically defensible solutions progress into execution.

Key Accountabilities

Drives Technical Ownership

• Own end-to-end Drives system architecture, including:

o LV and MV VFDs

o Transformers, line reactors, and filters

o Bypass schemes and control architectures

• Validate application suitability based on process conditions, environment, and duty cycle

• Own technical assumptions, risks, exclusions, and deviations related to Drives scope

• Ensure compliance with:

o Customer specifications

o IEC / IEEE standards (harmonics, EMC, insulation, etc.)

o Schneider Electric Drives application and portfolio rules

Primary Responsibilities

Pre-Sales Technical Support

• Review customer technical specifications and process requirements

• Validate:

o Drive and motor compatability

o Constant/variable torque duty cycles

o Environmental conditions (ambient temperature, altitude, enclosure type)

• Assess application-specific risks, including:

o Harmonics

o Motor compatibility

o Bypass, redundancy, and cooling requirements

• Support Sales during technical discussions with customers

Outcome: Only technically sound and executable Drives solutions are offered.

Solution Design & Architecture Ownership

• Define overall Drives solution architecture, including:

o Drive topology

o Input/output filtering

o Control philosophy and communication approach

• Ensure alignment with standard and approved Schneider Electric Drives offerings

• Review and approve concept-level documentation:

o Functional descriptions

o Single-line and concept diagrams

o Control and interlock philosophies

Outcome: Engineering receives clear technical intent with minimal ambiguity.

Handover to Project Execution

• Lead or support the technical handover for Drives scope

• Document and communicate:

o Application constraints

o Technical assumptions and exclusions

o Known risks (harmonics, motor stress, cooling, bypass design)

• Support early execution phases to prevent rework and late-stage changes

Outcome: Project Managers and Engineering teams begin execution with clarity and confidence.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Governance

• Collaborate closely with:

o Sales: Enable feasible, win-ready technical solutions

o Project Managers: Provide clear scope definition and risk visibility

o Engineering & Factories: Promote standard, repeatable Designs

• Challenge non-standard or high-risk Drive applications

• Capture and share lessons l...