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

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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 road map 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.

5. 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.