Director, Application Engineering – Specification

The Hillman Group

. Develop and execute a national strategy to increase specification, approval, and adoption in residential, multifamily, and light-commercial construction .

Posted 11/11/2026full-timeRemote • Ohio • United StatesLeadWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in developing and executing strategies for specification and adoption in construction, with a strong focus on technical influence, project conversion, and revenue generation. Proven ability to lead teams, build relationships across various stakeholders, and ensure compliance with building codes and standards.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Construction Products ExpertiseTechnical Services LeadershipSpecification Sales ExperienceBuilding Code Compliance KnowledgeExecutive-Level Communication Skills

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Construction MethodsBuilding MaterialsFastening ApplicationsSpecification DevelopmentProject ManagementBIMICC-ES Evaluation ReportsTesting ProgramsTechnical Selling ProgramsApplication Engineering

Soft Skills

Relationship BuildingCross-Functional LeadershipAccountabilityCustomer FocusEntrepreneurial Mindset

Tools & Technologies

CRMProject-Tracking ToolsConstruction Project IntelligenceSpecification PlatformsProject Management Platforms

Certifications & Qualifications

Professional Engineer (PE)Engineer in Training (EIT)

Industry Keywords

Residential ConstructionMultifamily ConstructionLight-Commercial ConstructionEngineered Building MaterialsFastening SystemsCode InterpretationAIA Continuing EducationTechnical WorkshopsBuilding-Code ComplianceConstruction Specifications

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Develop and execute a national strategy to increase specification, approval, and adoption in residential, multifamily, and light-commercial construction
Prioritize applications, geographies, customers, influencers, and projects with the greatest commercial potential
Drive inclusion in construction specifications, builder standards, approved-product lists, project takeoffs, contractor submittals, and code-approved applications
Design and govern the process connecting technical influence to project conversion and revenue
Create handoffs among Application Engineering, Sales, Product, Marketing, and channel partners
Use CRM and project-tracking tools to maintain visibility to specifications, approvals, opportunities, actions, and conversion
Recruit, develop, and lead field-based Application Engineers
Establish territory coverage, operating rhythms, account and project prioritization, activity expectations, performance measures, and career paths
Build a culture of technical excellence, sound engineering judgment, accountability, customer partnership, and commercial impact
Build relationships with architects, engineers, residential designers, builders, developers, contractors, code officials, municipalities, plan reviewers, and other influencers
Provide leadership on application guidance, specification development, code interpretation, evaluation reports, certifications, testing data, competitive equivalencies, and installation practices
Support strategic projects from design through installation and represent Hillman in professional associations, technical forums, customer events, and trade shows
Partner with lumberyards, building-material dealers, buying groups, distributors, and outside sales teams to increase recommendation and conversion
Create technical-selling programs, joint customer engagement, and project-support models that produce pull-through demand
Extend the model into specialty channels such as gypsum, engineered wood, and specialty building products
Own AIA and continuing-education strategy, including accredited programs, lunch-and-learns, certification seminars, code education, and technical workshops
Build train-the-trainer programs and practical technical tools for sales teams, independent representatives, dealer personnel, contractors, and design professionals
Ensure technical content is accurate, current, code-compliant, clear, and commercially relevant
Translate customer, jobsite, code, channel, and competitive insight into new products, applications, approvals, certifications, and technical resources
Partner across Product Management, Engineering, Compliance, Marketing, and Sales to close market gaps and improve customer outcomes

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Architecture, Building Science, or a related technical discipline
At least 10 years of experience in construction products, engineered building materials, fastening systems, specification sales, technical services, field engineering, or application engineering
At least 5 years of experience leading technical, engineering, or field-based teams, including experience building or scaling a capability
Demonstrated success influencing design professionals, builders, contractors, distributors, channel partners, and code or approval stakeholders
Experience with fastening, anchoring, structural connectors, engineered wood, gypsum systems, or adjacent building-material categories preferred
Experience with ICC-ES evaluation reports, testing programs, certifications, approvals, building-code compliance, AIA continuing education, CRM, construction project intelligence, BIM, specification, or project-management platforms preferred
Strong knowledge of construction methods, building materials, fastening applications, specifications, and code-compliant solutions
Ability to translate complex technical information into practical decisions, differentiated customer value, and measurable commercial results
Entrepreneurial and commercially minded approach with the ability to build strategy, teams, processes, and market credibility
Executive-level communication, presentation, relationship-building, and cross-functional leadership skills
Sound engineering judgment, accountability, customer focus, and commitment to technical excellence
Ability to establish priorities, operating rhythms, performance measures, and scalable processes across a distributed team
Ability to travel throughout North America
Professional Engineer (PE) or Engineer in Training (EIT) credential preferred

Benefits

Comp & perks

Standard office equipment, computer, mobile device, CRM and project-tracking systems, presentation technology, and applicable construction/specification software
Personal protective equipment may be required when visiting manufacturing, distribution, customer, or jobsite locations
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions
Equal employment opportunity and protection from discrimination and harassment
Employment offer contingent upon successful completion of a pre-employment background check and drug screen