Business Development Leader, Software and PLC Solutions (Remote)

Tech Sales Jobs; United States; Remote; USD 105,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Emerson is seeking a Business Development Leader to accelerate growth in North America for industrial software and PLC solutions. You will craft market development plans, build a strong opportunity pipeline, and partner with sales teams, channel partners, OEMs, and system integrators to expand software-led opportunities.

You will develop executive relationships, apply cross-functional collaboration, and drive differentiated positioning with marketing while shaping product direction through

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Business, or related field, or equivalent experience.
• 8+ years in industrial automation, controls, software, or related market with success in BD/sales/product management.
• Working knowledge of PLCs and industrial software ecosystems (HMI/SCADA, edge, data connectivity, visualization).
• Experience with direct sales, channel partners, OEMs, system integrators, or technology ecosystems.
• Strong communication, presentation, negotiation, and executive engagement skills.
• Willingness to travel regularly within North America.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the North America business development strategy for industrial software, visualization, edge, and PLC-related solutions.
• Identify priority industries, applications, territories, and partner routes to market that can deliver sustainable orders growth and increased market penetration.
• Create and advance strategic opportunities by engaging customers early, shaping solution value propositions, and coordinating the resources required to progress opportunities through the sales cycle.
• Build and maintain a healthy, visible pipeline; support disciplined CRM practices, opportunity reviews, forecasting, and performance tracking for assigned growth initiatives.
• Partner with regional sales teams and channel leadership to establish account plans, campaigns, and enablement activities that improve coverage and sales effectiveness.
• Develop executive-level relationships with key customers, distributors, OEMs, system integrators, and ecosystem partners.
• Expand software-led and solution-oriented selling by connecting industrial software capabilities with PLC, control, edge, and automation opportunities.
• Work with Marketing to develop differentiated positioning, demand-generation programs, customer proof points, and sales tools for priority market segments.
• Collaborate with Product Management, Engineering, R&D, Quality, and Support to communicate market needs, influence product direction, and improve the end-to-end customer experience.
• Monitor customer needs, competitor activity, technology trends, and market dynamics; convert insights into clear recommendations and business cases.
• Represent the portfolio at customer meetings, partner events, industry forums, and internal leadership reviews.
• Present business performance, pipeline health, market insights, risks, and strategic recommendations to leadership.

Skills

Market development

Industrial software

Executive engagement

Sales leadership

Channel partnerships

Cross-functional

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Business, or related field

Job description

Business Development Leader - Software & PLC Solutions

Location: United States; Remote

If you are a salesprofessional looking for an opportunity to grow, Emerson has an exciting opportunity for you! As a Business Development Manager, you will be responsible for accelerating growth across Emerson’s industrial software and PLC portfolio in North America. The role will shape and execute market development plans, build a strong opportunity pipeline, and expand adoption through direct customer engagement and collaboration with sales teams, channel partners, OEMs, system integrators, and technology partners.

In This Role, Your Responsibilities Will Be:

• Develop and execute the North America business development strategy for industrial software, visualization, edge, and PLC-related solutions, aligned with broader PSS and global priorities.
• Identify priority industries, applications, territories, and partner routes to market that can deliver sustainable orders growth and increased market penetration.
• Create and advance strategic opportunities by engaging customers early, shaping solution value propositions, and coordinating the resources required to progress opportunities through the sales cycle.
• Build and maintain a healthy, visible pipeline; support disciplined CRM practices, opportunity reviews, forecasting, and performance tracking for assigned growth initiatives.
• Partner with regional sales teams and channel leadership to establish account plans, campaigns, and enablement activities that improve coverage and sales effectiveness.
• Develop executive-level relationships with key customers, distributors, OEMs, system integrators, and ecosystem partners.
• Expand software-led and solution-oriented selling by connecting industrial software capabilities with PLC, control, edge, and automation opportunities.
• Work with Marketing to develop differentiated positioning, demand-generation programs, customer proof points, and sales tools for priority market segments.
• Collaborate with Product Management, Engineering, R&D, Quality, and Support to communicate market needs, influence product direction, and improve the end-to-end customer experience.
• Monitor customer needs, competitor activity, technology trends, and market dynamics; convert insights into clear recommendations and business cases.
• Represent the portfolio at customer meetings, partner events, industry forums, and internal leadership reviews.
• Present business performance, pipeline health, market insights, risks, and strategic recommendations to leadership.

Who You Are:

You are sales leadership serving as a strategic partner to build, grow, and maintain profitable and long-lasting relationships with key accounts. You anticipate customer needs and deliver results that make the customer feel at ease. You readily distinguish between what’s relevant and what’s unimportant to make sense of complex situations. You drive alignment across multiple stakeholders and find creative solutions to complex issues. You convey clear performance expectations and follow up consistently while delegating in a way that empowers ownership.

For This Role, You Will Need:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Business, or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience.
• At least 8 years of experience in industrial automation, controls, industrial software, or a related technology market, with demonstrated success in business development, sales, product management, or solution commercialization.
• Working knowledge of PLCs and industrial software ecosystems, including one or more of the following: HMI/SCADA, edge computing, data connectivity, visualization, industrial applications, or digital transformation solutions.
• Demonstrated ability to develop markets, build opportunity pipelines, and advance complex customer or partner engagements.
• Experience working across direct sales, channel partners, OEMs, system integrators, or technology ecosystems.
• Strong communication, presentation, negotiation, and executive engagement skills.
• Ability to operate effectively across functions, business units, geographies, and cultures.
• Willingness and ability to travel regularly within North America.

Preferred Qualifications That Set You Apart:

• MBA or advanced technical degree.
• Experience commercializing industrial software or recurring-revenue offers.
• Experience with North American industrial markets and channel-led go-to-market models.
• Familiarity with Emerson automation technologies, customer industries, and partner ecosystem.
• Experience developing value propositions, market-entry plans, partner programs, or strategic business cases.

Our compensation philosophy is simple: we pay a competitive base salary, within the local market in which we operate, and reward performance during our annual merit review process. The salary range for this role is$105,000 - $160,000 annually, commensurate with the skills, talent, capabilities, and experience each candidate brings to a role.

Our Culture & Commitment to You:

At Emerson, we prioritize a workplace where every employee is valued, respected, and empowered to grow. We foster an environment that encourages innovation, collaboration, and diverse perspectives—because we know that great ideas come from great teams. Our commitment to ongoing career development and growing an inclusive culture ensures you have the support to thrive. Whether through mentorship, training, or leadership opportunities, we invest in your success so you can make a lasting impact. We believe diverse teams, working together are key to driving growth and delivering business results.

We recognize the importance of employee wellbeing. We prioritize providing flexible, competitive benefits plans to meet you and your family’s physical, mental, financial, and social needs. We provide a variety of medical insurance plans, with dental and vision coverage, Employee Assistance Program, 401(k), tuition reimbursement, employee resource groups, recognition, and much more. Our culture offers flexible time off plans, including paid parental leave (maternal and paternal), vacation and holiday leave.

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About Us

WHY EMERSON

Our Commitment to Our People

At Emerson, we are motivated by a spirit of collaboration that helps our diverse, multicultural teams across the world drive innovation that makes the world healthier, safer, smarter, and more sustainable. And we want you to join us in our bold aspiration.

We have built an engaged community of inquisitive, dedicated people who thrive knowing they are welcomed, trusted, celebrated, and empowered to solve the world’s most complex problems — for our customers, our communities, and the planet. You’ll contribute to this vital work while further developing your skills through our award-winning employee development programs. We are a proud corporate citizen in every city where we operate and is committed to our people, our communities, and the world at large. We take this responsibility seriously and strive to make a positive impact through every endeavor.

At Emerson, you’ll see firsthand that our people are at the center of everything we do. So, let’s go. Let’s think differently. Learn, collaborate, and grow. Seek opportunity. Push boundaries. Be empowered to make things better. Speed up to break through. Let’s go, together.

Work Authorization

Emerson will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the United States. This is not a position for which sponsorship will be provided. Individuals with temporary visas such as E, F-1(including those with OPT or CPT) , H-1, H-2, L-1, B, J or TN, or who need sponsorship for work authorization now or in the future, are not eligible for hire.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Emerson is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, national origin, age, marital status, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, disability or protected veteran status. We are committed to providing a workplace free of any discrimination or harassment.

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ABOUT EMERSON

Emerson is a global leader in automation technology and software. Through our deep domain expertise and legacy of flawless execution, Emerson helps customers in critical industries like life sciences, energy, power and renewables, chemical and advanced factory automation operate more sustainably while improving productivity, energy security and reliability.

With global operations and a comprehensive portfolio of software and technology, we are helping companies implement digital transformation to measurably improve their operations, conserve valuable resources and enhance their safety.

We offer equitable opportunities, celebrate diversity, and embrace challenges with confidence that, together, we can make an impact across a broad spectrum of countries and industries. Whether you’re an established professional looking for a career change, an undergraduate student exploring possibilities, or a recent graduate with an advanced degree, you’ll find your chance to make a difference with Emerson. Join our team – let’s go!

If you are a sales professional looking for an opportunity to grow, Emerson has an exciting opportunity for you! As a Business Development Manager, you will be responsible for accelerating growth across Emerson’s industrial software and PLC portfolio in North America. The role will shape and execute market development plans, build a strong opportunity pipeline, and expand adoption through direct customer engagement and collaboration with sales teams, channel partners, OEMs, system integrators, and technology partners.