Applications Engineer, Sales

Jobtailor; San Antonio (TX); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobtailor is seeking an accomplished Applications Engineer with 8+ years in technical sales within heavy industrial equipment. You will provide technical consultation, lead engagements, and shape system configurations for capital equipment projects.

The role requires strong drawing interpretation, cross-functional communication, and the ability to travel 60–70% across North America with occasional international trips. Advanced certifications are preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering is required.
• 8–12+ years in applications engineering, sales engineering, or technical sales in metal recycling or similar heavy industrial equipment.
• Experience supporting capital equipment or engineered system sales with significant technical complexity.
• Strong ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and process documentation.
• Willingness to travel frequently (60–70%) primarily in North America, with occasional international travel.
• Hands-on experience with equipment installation, commissioning, or field service preferred.
• Familiarity with CRM systems (Salesforce) and ERP systems (SAP), and basic CAD or layout tools preferred.

Responsibilities

• Support Outside and Inside Sales by providing technical consultation and solution development for complex customer requirements.
• Lead technical engagements with customers, including site visits, process reviews, and scope clarification meetings.
• Develop and review technical scopes of supply, equipment descriptions, system layouts, and value-added narratives for proposals.
• Evaluate customer data and performance targets to recommend configurations and upgrade paths.
• Provide technical input into pricing strategy, risk identification, and commercial positioning for capital equipment opportunities.
• Take ownership of technically oriented customer accounts and support order execution, installation, and startup.
• Troubleshoot performance or process issues in collaboration with cross-functional teams.
• Advertise as a technical SME at trade shows and customer seminars; capture learnings for continuous improvement.

Skills

Applications engineering

Technical sales

Equipment sizing

System configuration

Layout development

Mechanical drawings interpretation

Electrical drawings interpretation

Process optimization

Capital equipment sales

Heavy industrial equipment

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Professional Engineer (PE)

PMP

Six Sigma

Tools

Salesforce

SAP

CAD software

CAD tools

Job description

• Support Outside and Inside Sales throughout the sales cycle by providing technical consultation, application expertise, and solution development for complex customer requirements.
• Lead technical engagement with customers, including site visits, process reviews, technical presentations, equipment trials, and scope clarification meetings.
• Develop and review technical scopes of supply, equipment descriptions, system layouts, and value-added solution narratives for proposals, quotations, and bids.
• Evaluate customer process data, operating conditions, and performance targets to recommend appropriate equipment configurations, system architectures, and upgrade paths.
• Provide technical input into pricing strategy, risk identification, and commercial positioning for capital equipment and system opportunities.
• Take ownership of more technical oriented customer accounts.
• Perform applications engineering activities including equipment sizing, system configuration, layout development, and review of mechanical and electrical drawings.
• Serve as technical support during order execution, manufacturing handoff, installation, commissioning, and start‑up phases.
• Troubleshoot complex performance, reliability, or process issues in collaboration with Service, Engineering, and Field Support teams.
• Review operating feedback and performance data to recommend process optimization, upgrades, or additional equipment solutions.
• Support customer training efforts related to equipment operation, maintenance, and best‑practice application usage.
• Act as a technical liaison between Sales and Technical Departments – Engineering, Product Management, Project Management, Supply Chain, and Manufacturing.
• Ensure customer requirements, assumptions, and scope boundaries are clearly documented and communicated internally.
• Support resolution of technical escalations or deviations through structured problem solving and cross‑functional alignment.
• Contribute technical input to product roadmap discussions based on field experience, customer feedback, and competitive insight.
• Maintain deep knowledge of company products, system capabilities, and installed base applications.
• Monitor industry trends, customer operating practices, and competitor solutions to inform sales strategy and application guidance.
• Represent the company as a technical subject‑matter expert at trade shows, customer seminars, and internal training sessions.
• Capture and document application learnings, recurring issues, and best practices to support continuous improvement and knowledge sharing.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Mining, Metallurgical, Industrial, or closely related discipline).
• 8–12+ years of experience in applications engineering, sales engineering, or technical sales within metal recycling or similar heavy industrial equipment environments.
• Demonstrated experience supporting capital equipment or engineered system sales with significant technical complexity.
• Strong understanding of heavy industrial equipment such as shredders, crushers, hammermills, material handling systems, and related processing technologies.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and process documentation.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to present complex technical concepts clearly to customers and internal teams.
• Proven ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and operate effectively in a customer‑facing role.
• Willingness to travel frequently (typically 60–70%) primarily in North America, with occasional international travel.
• Advanced engineering degree or relevant professional certifications (PE, PMP, Six Sigma) preferred.
• Hands‑on experience with equipment installation, commissioning, or field service support is preferred.
• Familiarity with CRM systems (Salesforce or similar), ERP systems (SAP or similar), and basic CAD or layout tools is preferred.

Hard Skills

• applications engineering
• technical sales
• equipment sizing
• system configuration
• layout development
• mechanical drawings interpretation
• electrical drawings interpretation
• process optimization
• capital equipment sales
• heavy industrial equipment

Soft Skills

• strong written communication
• strong verbal communication
• presentation skills
• independent work
• multi‑priority management
• customer‑facing role effectiveness
• problem solving
• cross‑functional alignment
• technical consultation
• customer training

Certifications & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering
• Professional Engineer (PE)
• Project Management Professional (PMP)
• Six Sigma