Automation Solution Sales Engineer

APEX Controls; Hudsonville (MI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Apex seeks an Automation Solution Sales Engineer to drive new business in industrial automation and control system integration. You will qualify opportunities, coordinate with engineering teams, and lead the proposal and closing process.

This role requires a technically minded sales professional with a proven track record in prospecting and building relationships with industrial customers. You will own opportunities from initial prospecting through to close, collaborating with Apex's engineering

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in engineering, business, technical sales, or related field.
• 3+ years of experience in industrial automation, controls, systems integration, technical sales, or related role.

Responsibilities

• Develop and pursue strategies to prospect and win new industrial customers.
• Clearly communicate Apex's capabilities and value to customers.
• Coordinate with engineering and electrical teams and external partners to craft solutions.
• Own the proposal process from qualification to close and manage timelines.

Skills

Sales experience

Lead qualification

Pipeline management

Negotiation

Presentation skills

CRM familiarity

Technical communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering, business, technical sales, or related field

Tools

CRM software

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

The Opportunity

The Automation Solution Sales Engineer is responsible for developing new business, expanding customer relationships, and driving revenue growth for industrial automation and control system integration services. This role combines technical understanding, consultative selling, and business development to identify customer challenges and develop compelling automation solutions.

Description

The Opportunity

The Automation Solution Sales Engineer is responsible for developing new business, expanding customer relationships, and driving revenue growth for industrial automation and control system integration services. This role combines technical understanding, consultative selling, and business development to identify customer challenges and develop compelling automation solutions.

The ideal candidate is a technically minded sales professional who enjoys prospecting and winning new business, building relationships with industrial customers, and turning customer needs into solutions and opportunities. This individual will qualify and manage a sales pipeline, uncover customer challenges, and coordinate with Apex's engineering and electrical teams and external partners to develop winning solutions. The Sales Engineer will own opportunities from initial prospecting through qualification, solution development, proposal, negotiation, and close.

What You’ll Do

Business Development

• Develop and execute strategies to prospect, qualify, and win new industrial customers through cold outreach, networking, referrals, trade shows, industry associations, and other lead-generation activities.
• Clearly communicate Apex's capabilities, value proposition, and competitive differentiators to prospective and existing customers.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with customers, suppliers, tool-building partners, and strategic partners.
• Maintain accurate and timely customer information, sales activities, opportunities, and follow-up in the company's CRM system.

Customer & Solution Development

• Understand customers’ business, operational, and technical challenges; identify opportunities; and determine the potential value and fit of each opportunity.
• Lead the coordination of engineering and electrical teams and external partners in developing customer solutions. Own the proposal process and timeline, ensuring the appropriate resources are engaged, and proposals are completed on time with clear scope, value, and proposed approach.
• Maintain relationships throughout and after project completion to assess customer satisfaction and identify additional opportunities.
• Provide customer and market feedback to the Apex team and contribute to continuous improvement of sales and proposal processes.

Team Collaboration

• Work under the direction of the Director of Business Development and collaborate with engineering, electrical, project management, and other members of the Apex team.

What You Bring

• Demonstrated experience selling automation solutions, system integration services, or other complex technical solutions.
• Proven ability to generate new business through prospecting and cold outreach.
• Strong lead qualification, discovery, pipeline management, follow-up, negotiation, and closing skills.
• Ability to identify customer needs, buying signals, and opportunities that align with Apex’s capabilities.
• Excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills with both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and CRM software.
• Strong analytical, research, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills with the ability to translate technical, operational, and business information into actionable solutions.
• Ability to understand complex technical and business requirements and collaborate with engineering and electrical teams to develop appropriate solutions.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, work independently, and contribute effectively to a collaborative team.

Requirements

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, business, technical sales, or related field preferred; equivalent experience will be considered.
• 3+ years of experience in industrial automation, controls, systems integration, technical sales, or related technical/business development role.

Physical Requirements & Travel

• Ability to spend prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Ability to occasionally lift and carry up to 15 pounds.
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation.

This is an onsite role located in the Indianapolis area