Senior Applications Engineer - OEM

Donaldson is committed to solving the world's most complex filtration challenges. Together, we make cool things. As an established technology and innovation leader, we are continuously evolving to meet the filtration needs of our changing world. Join a culture of collaboration and innovation that matters and a chance to learn, effect change, and make meaningful contributions at work and in communities.

The Senior Applications Engineer - OEM is a senior technical contributor responsible for supporting global OEM customers with heavy-duty engine air filtration system solutions. This role serves as a primary technical interface between OEM engineering teams and internal product development, validation, manufacturing, quality, and sales organizations. Operating within a large, matrixed organization, this position supports long-life OEM platforms and structured development processes, ensuring filtration systems meet performance, durability, packaging, regulatory, quality, and cost targets across both on-road and off-road applications. Qualified candidates must be able to work a hybrid schedule at our Bloomington, MN office.

Role Responsibilities:

OEM Application Engineering

• Serve as the primary technical point of contact for assigned OEM customers, supporting new engine platforms, vehicle programs, and running production applications.

• Translate OEM specifications and operating requirements-including airflow, dust ingestion, restriction limits, service intervals, noise, packaging, and environmental exposure-into compliant filtration system solutions.

• Lead application sizing, selection, and configuration of air cleaners, housings, pre-cleaners, restriction indicators, ducting, seals, and interface components.

• Support OEM design reviews, DFMEA, PFMEA, and formal engineering change management processes.

• Support multi-year OEM programs across multiple vehicle platforms, regions, and manufacturing locations.

• Coordinate cross-functionally to ensure alignment between application requirements, product capability, manufacturing feasibility, supplier readiness, and quality standards.

• Manage application deviations, change requests, and production issues through structured governance and change control systems typical of large OEM programs.

• Partner with R&D and product management to define application requirements for new and next-generation filtration platforms.

• Support design verification and validation activities, including airflow, efficiency, dust capacity, restriction, durability, vibration, and environmental testing.

• Review, interpret, and approve test data to confirm compliance with OEM specifications, internal standards, and regulatory requirements (ISO, SAE, and OEM-specific standards).

Quality Systems & Compliance

• Work within IATF 16949 quality management systems for on-road applications, supporting disciplined product development, validation, and production launch processes.

• Support APQP, PPAP, control plans, and risk management activities for OEM programs.

• Collaborate with quality and manufacturing teams to support audits, corrective actions, and continuous improvement initiatives related to filtration system performance and reliability.

• Conduct root cause analysis (RCA) for filtration-related failures and performance issues. Analyze field performance, warranty data, and customer feedback to identify systemic risks or improvement opportunities.

• Drive corrective actions and design improvements in collaboration with quality, manufacturing, and supplier teams.

Customer & Commercial Support

• Support sales and program management during RFQs, technical reviews, and sourcing decisions.

• Provide technical input on cost, performance, durability, and risk trade-offs at the platform and program level.

• Participate in OEM technical reviews, audits, and escalations as a senior technical representative.

Documentation, Standards & Knowledge Transfer

• Develop and maintain OEM-specific application guidelines, design standards, and best practices.

• Contribute to global engineering standards, lessons learned databases, and design rule documentation.

• Train internal teams and OEM customers on filtration system design considerations, performance drivers, and quality expectations.

• Apply and interpret relevant standards (ISO, SAE, ASTM, EN, DIN, etc.).

• Support laboratory and field testing, including ISO 16889, ISO 4548, ISO 5011, and application-specific test protocols.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree with an Engineering focus.

• 5+ years of professional engineering experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior application engineering experience

• Master's Degree in technical field.

• Air filtration knowledge/experience.

• Direct experience supporting on-road OEMs; subject to IATF 16949 quality system requirements

• Prior electrical experience would be beneficial

• Demonstrated project management skills.

• Strong technical communication skills, and ability to communicate at all levels.

• Demonstrated ability to multitask, prioritize, and manage through competing projects and priorities efficiently with strong attention to detail.

Relocation: This position is not eligible for relocation assistance.

Annual Salary Range:$86,200 - 111,000. Actual salaries will vary based on several factors including, but not limited to applicable work experience, training, education, performance.

Employee benefits are part of the competitive total rewards package that Donaldson Company, Inc. provides to you. Our comprehensive benefits program includes health benefits, retirement plan (401k), paid time away, paid leaves (including paid parental leave) and more.

Immigration Sponsorship Not Available:

• Applicants for this position must be currently and legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for current or future sponsorship (e.g., H-1B, J-1, F-1, CPT, OPT, etc.).

• Donaldson will not offer immigration sponsorship or assume sponsorship of an employment visa for this position.

• International relocation or remote work arrangements outside of the U.S. will not be considered.

Keywords: Engineer, applications engineer, engine, customer-facing, air filtration, mechanically-inclined

Equal Opportunity Employer, including Disability and Veterans

Employment opportunities for positions in the United States may require use of information which is subject to the export control regulations of the United States. Hiring decisions for such positions are required by law to be made in compliance with these regulations. Applicants for employment opportunities in other countries must be able to meet the comparable export control requirements of that country and of the United States.

Donaldson Company has been made aware that there are several recruiting scams that are targeting job seekers. These scams have attempted to solicit money for job applications and/or collect confidential information, Donaldson will never solicit money during the application or recruiting process. Donaldson only accepts online applications through our Careers | Donaldson Company, Inc. website and any communication from a Donaldson recruiter would be sent using a donaldson.com email address. If you have any questions about the legitimacy of an employment opportunity, please reach out to talentacquisition@donaldson.com to verify that the communication is from Donaldson.

Our policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified persons without regard to race, gender, color, disability, national origin, age, religion, union affiliation, sexual orientation, veteran status, citizenship, gender identity and/or expression, or other status protected by law.