Application Specialist

SMC Corporation; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

SMC Corporation in Phoenix is seeking an Automation Application Specialist to provide technical guidance and support for customers implementing industrial automation solutions. You will act as a subject matter expert, helping clients optimize manufacturing processes and leverage automation technologies effectively.

You will train sales staff, customers, and distributors, conduct workshops, and work closely with engineering teams to tailor solutions for each client.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience in a related field.
• Experience with or knowledge of industrial automation products and applications.
• Ability to apply and implement new high-tech products.
• Proficiency with CRM and related tools; capable of rapid learning.
• Experience across manufacturing industries like packaging, electronics, automotive.

Responsibilities

• Participate in monthly conference calls to share success stories and updates.
• Identify and close major revenue-producing projects with key accounts.
• Engage with customers to understand technical requirements for SMC products.
• Provide training to sales staff, customers, and distributors on products and applications.
• Deliver client training sessions and workshops on automation systems.
• Document activities in SalesConnect CRM and maintain opportunity records.
• Support technical presentations and demonstrations for customers at events.
• Collaborate with engineering teams to design and customize automation solutions.
• Monitor market trends and identify opportunities for improvements and new products.
• Share feedback to product development for future enhancements.

Skills

CRM proficiency

Technical training delivery

Presentation skills

Field service

Project coordination

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or related field

Tools

SalesConnect CRM

MS Office

Job description

Posted Thursday, July 23, 2026 at 4:00 AM | Expires Sunday, November 1, 2026 at 3:59 AM

PURPOSE

As an Automation Application Specialist, your primary responsibility is to provide technical expertise, support, and guidance to clients in implementing industrial automation solutions. You will serve as a subject matter expert, assisting clients in optimizing their manufacturing processes, improving efficiency, and leveraging automation technologies effectively.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Participate in monthly conference call and provide application success stories, share and distribute details to branch team
• Focus on identifying and closing major revenue producing projects
• Be involved with key accounts and their projects directly. This includes being acquainted with the various buying influences at these accounts and the technical requirements for the introduction of specific SMC product.
• Identify all specifications and regulatory needs at the customer level; and be able to relay their needs accurately and completely to the appropriate SMC Engineer or Product Specialist.
• Provide continuous training to sales employees, customers and distributors on products and applications. This may include assisting the SMC training group with local presentations of training courses, with regular cadence
• Deliver training sessions and workshops to clients' engineering and operations teams on the use and maintenance of automation systems
• Document and monitor sales activity in SMC’s SalesConnect system, including meetings and opportunities as invited user or team member to the respective CRM entry
• Assist sales employees in detailed technical presentations to all levels of customers, lunch & learns, tent shows, mini panel expos, etc….
• Successfully complete other duties as prescribed by sales management as necessary
• Collaborate with clients to understand their unique manufacturing processes, challenges, and automation objectives.
• Work closely with clients and internal engineering teams to design, configure, and customize automation solutions.
• Stay abreast of competitive outlook, assisting with gap analysis, industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in industrial automation.
• Identify opportunities for process improvements and innovation within client operations, recommending new automation solutions or enhancements.
• Collaborate with product development teams to provide feedback and insights for future product enhancements or new product development
• Provide guidance and best practices for operating, monitoring, and troubleshooting industrial automation equipment and software.
• Provide technical support to clients during the implementation phase, addressing system configuration, integration, and performance issues.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Fast paced environment (includes both office and field work)
• Travel with some extended stay away from home
• Physically capable of lifting SMC products and displays up to 50 lbs.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s Degree, or equivalent work experience
• Advanced industrial automation product and application experience with SMC or equivalent industry
• Experience with or knowledge of competitive product and applications
• Demonstrated ability to correctly apply and implement our newest “high tech” products.
• Extensive SMC Application knowledge or equivalent industry
• Extensive experience with various manufacturing products and processes, including (but not limited to) the following: packaging, electronics, food, chemical, automotive and medical.
• Proficient in CRM and the use of computers and ability to learn new programs and tools as required