Technical Engineer

Monroe Consulting Group, an Executive Recruitment firm, is partnering with an organisation in the Industrial sector to hire a Technical Engineer. This opportunity is based in Penang, Malaysia.

Position Overview

The Technical Engineer will provide customer-facing technical and application support across Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore, converting customer requirements into technically qualified opportunities. The role serves as a key link between customers, the regional commercial team and R&D, directly shaping product recommendations and supporting the organisation's technical growth in the region.

Key Responsibilities

Customer Technical & Application Support

• Conduct customer technical discovery through meetings, technical visits, process reviews, CTQ collection, application requirement mapping and issue clarification.
• Understand customer processes and translate application requirements into suitable product recommendations and technical next steps.
• Support Sales and Business Development on qualified opportunities through technical discussions, product selection and customer evaluations.
• Provide technical support during customer trials, first-use manufacturing and product qualification activities.
• Build effective working relationships with customer engineering, process, quality and technical teams.

Application Testing & Qualification

• Coordinate sample requests, trial preparation and customer evaluation follow-up.
• Conduct or coordinate application screening activities including sample preparation, handling observations, cure evaluation, adhesion checks, pot life/work life assessment and process compatibility review.
• Summarise trial results, observations, risks and recommended next actions in a clear and structured manner.
• Coordinate with the Technical Manager, QC, R&D or Lab for advanced testing, failure analysis, formulation questions, reliability requirements or special customer requests.
• Maintain proper test records, sample traceability and technical documentation in accordance with ISO 9001 and internal quality procedures.

Technical Project Management

• Track strategic and qualified technical projects including customer requirements, project stage, technical barriers, next milestones and support required.
• Ensure timely follow-up from initial inquiry through recommendation, sample evaluation, qualification and first commercial use.
• Work closely with Sales and Business Development to improve sample-to-trial and trial-to-first-purchase conversion.
• Provide structured project updates and highlight technical risks or resource requirements to the Technical Manager.

R&D & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Maintain regular communication with the Technical Manager and R&D team on customer findings, application trends, technical gaps and emerging technology requirements.
• Share Voice of Customer (VOC) and market/application insights that may support product development and application roadmap planning.
• Work closely with QC on product quality questions, specifications, COA matters, complaint information and abnormal test findings.
• Coordinate with Operations and Supply Chain on sample availability, packaging, lead time, handling requirements and trial readiness.
• Collaborate with Marketing on technically accurate application materials, case studies, technical tips, seminar presentations and application diagrams when required.

Technical Knowledge & Market Development

• Develop clear technical reports, application notes, case summaries, diagrams and internal knowledge records.
• Support technical seminars, customer presentations and regional technical sharing activities.
• Develop understanding of emerging applications and technologies in areas such as semiconductor packaging, electronic assembly, optoelectronics, CPO/NPO, thermal management and related electronics applications.
• Gather customer and market technical information and communicate relevant findings internally.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Key Requirements

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Polymer Science, Material Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or a related technical discipline is preferred.
• Candidates with Mechanical or Electronics Engineering backgrounds may also be considered with relevant materials, process or application experience.
• 1–3 years of experience in technical service, application engineering, process engineering, adhesives, coatings, electronic materials, semiconductor or industrial materials is preferred.
• Fresh graduates with a strong polymer, chemistry or material science background may be considered if they demonstrate strong learning ability, hands-on discipline and communication maturity.

Technical / Functional Expertise

• Ability to understand customer application requirements and translate them into practical product recommendations, screening plans and trial actions.
• Ability to distinguish between confirmed data, assumptions, technical risks and recommended next steps.
• Competent in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint for technical reports, data summaries and presentations.
• Experience with epoxy, silicone or other adhesive/material applications would be advantageous.
• Hands-on laboratory or manufacturing process experience involving sample preparation, material testing, data recording, failure observation or customer trial support would be advantageous.
• Knowledge or experience in semiconductor packaging, electronic assembly, optoelectronics, thermal management or related electronics applications would be an advantage.
• Willing to travel within Southeast Asia for customer visits, line trials, seminars and technical support activities.

Soft Skills & Leadership Competencies

• Strong analytical and problem-solving ability with a hands-on technical mindset.
• Strong ownership and disciplined project follow-up.
• Good communication and presentation skills with the ability to interact effectively with customers and internal teams.
• Self-motivated, open-minded and willing to learn new technologies and applications.
• Ability to work independently while knowing when technical escalation is required.
• Strong teamwork and cross-functional collaboration with Sales, BD, QC, R&D, Marketing and Operations.
• Good command of English, with additional Southeast Asian language capability considered an advantage.