ESS, Sales Application Engineer

SK Battery America, Inc.; Troy, Northern (MI, KY); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

SKon, the Energy Storage arm of SK Group, seeks a Sales Applications Engineer to support DC Block products, EMS, and PCS in pre-sales and contracting. You’ll bridge customers and vendors, delivering technical excellence in complex ESS projects.

With 3–5 years in BESS engineering or technical roles, you’ll design systems, optimize profitability, and contribute to risk management and project success across utility-scale deployments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in engineering (electrical, mechanical, or computer science) or related field.
• 3+ years in a technical/engineering position within the BESS industry, focusing on utility-scale projects.

Responsibilities

• Provide proactive hands-on technical support to sales teams and clients, including meetings and presentations.
• Develop, refine, and implement cost models and toolsets to streamline sales and pricing.
• Prepare RFP responses and support technical contract negotiations and terms.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Negotiation

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor's/Master's in engineering

Tools

Microsoft Office

Power BI

SCADA

Job description

Sales Application Engineer, Energy Storage System (ESS)

SKon, a proud member of SK Group, the second largest conglomerate with a revenue size of $150 billion, is one of the fastest-growing battery manufacturers globally. With ambitious plans to reach over 180GWh manufacturing capacity in the US, SKon is at the forefront of innovation in the energy storage sector. In response to the increasing domestic demand, SKon is set to manufacture state-of-the-art 5.3MWh DC Blocks, fully compliant with the latest US domestic content requirements and eligible for full ITC benefits. Additionally, SKon has contracted and awarded projects totaling 7GWh to be installed in the US starting 2026.

As we continue to expand, we are seeking an experienced Sales Applications Engineer to join our growing Energy Storage team in SKBA (SKon US subsidiary). The Sales Application Engineer is a technical expert in client engagements, providing technical sales and contracting support for DC Block products, cell technologies, EMS, and PCS technologies, as well as supporting vendor RFP for PCS & EMS technologies. Serving as the bridge between the company, its customers, and vendors, the Application Engineer ensures technical excellence throughout pre-sales activities to contract execution. Core responsibilities include delivering hands-on technical sales support, optimizing system designs to enhance profitability and reduce risk, and leading technical contract negotiations. Application Engineer plays an active role in supporting the sales team by advancing technical sales efforts and providing comprehensive technical contracting support.

Key Responsibilities

Sales Technical SME Support

• Provide proactive, hands-on technical support to commercial and sales teams by addressing complex customer inquiries, delivering tailored technical solutions, and participating directly in client meetings and presentations to ensure alignment with client requirements and drive successful deal closer.
• Develop, refine, and implement comprehensive cost models and automated toolsets that streamline and accelerate the sales process, enhance pricing accuracy, and support strategic decision-making for SKon's products and solutions.
• Create, update, and continuously improve technical presentations and collateral to clearly communicate the unique value propositions and technical differentiators of SKon's battery cells, modules, DC Block, PCS, and EMS; ensure these materials effectively position SKon as leader in innovation and technology in the energy storage market.

Technical Proposal Management

• Technical configuration: Define the optimal system design and bill of materials including SK battery technology, PCS and EMS and MV Transformer package.
• Generate high-value documentation including single line diagrams (SLDs), preliminary site layouts, performance guarantee and availability metrics, and detailed scope of work documents.
• Value Engineering through cost reduction efforts with vendors, system optimization sizing analysis.
• Provide comprehensive RFP responses to integrators, IPPs, developers and/or utilities.

Technical Contract Management

• Take ownership of and lead negotiations for all system delivery technical contractual exhibits, including but not limited to commissioning, Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), and Site Acceptance Testing (SAT). Ensure comprehensive scope coverage, define clear performance, and capacity guarantee mechanisms and implement robust risk mitigation strategies. Collaborate closely with internal engineering, project management, and legal teams to align contract terms with project requirements and industry best practices.
• Manage and negotiate technical contractual exhibits for Long-Term Service Agreements (LTSA), such as those covering Capacity Guarantees, Round Trip Efficiency, and Availability Guarantees. Ensure that all technical obligations are clearly defined, risks are thoroughly assessed and mitigated, and that contractual terms support both client satisfaction and SKon's operational objectives. Facilitate cross-functional coordination to address ongoing performance monitoring and compliance.
• Maintain, oversee, and negotiate product technical specification exhibits in close collaboration with SKon's Korea engineering team. Ensure that all specifications accurately reflect the latest product capabilities and compliance requirements and proactively address any technical discrepancies or client-specific needs. Foster strong communication between U.S. and Korea engineering teams to support seamless integration and timely resolution of technical issues.

Qualifications

Educational Background: A bachelor's or master's degree in engineering (electrical, mechanical, or computer science) or a related field.

Experience: At least 3 years in a technical or engineering position within the BESS industry, focusing on utility-scale projects or with direct experience in energy storage system design and project management. A minimum of 5 years in technical and engineering capacity is required.

Technical Skills: Have strong knowledge of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), including how the cells, batteries, and modules are designed and integrated. Skilled in designing entire systems, such as Power Conversion Systems, medium voltage transformers, substations, and Gen-Tie connections. Well-versed in power electronics and have hands-on experience with SCADA systems. Also familiar with requirements and compliance processes for major markets like ISO-NE, NYPA, ERCOT, and CAISO, which helps ensure smooth project delivery across different regions.
Codes & Standards: Familiarity with safety standards including NFPA 855, NFPA 68/69, UL 9540, UL 9540A, and electrical safety standards such as NEC, IFC/IBC. Familiarity with plant system standards such as IEEE2800 and IEEEP2800302 is a plus.
Software Proficiency: Proficiency with Microsoft Office. Data analysis software knowledge is a plus (Power BI, and others)
Soft Skills: Demonstrated leadership, communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills, with an ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
Certifications (optional): Professional Engineer (PE) license is a plus.