Field Application Engineer- Automation

Phoenix-Contact; Columbia (SC); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental & Vision

401k matching

Bonus plan

Generous PTO

Job summary

Phoenix Contact is seeking a Field Application Engineer to provide hands-on technical expertise across the Mid-Atlantic region (VA, NC, SC, TN east). You will support automation, control and networking solutions and collaborate with regional sales teams to drive growth and win strategic opportunities.

The role requires at least 3 years in sales or marketing within automation and industrial control, a four-year technical degree, strong presentation skills, and the ability to travel up to 40%+

Qualifications

• Four-year college degree in a technical discipline or equivalent industry experience.
• 3 years minimum sales or marketing experience with automation and industrial control products.
• Ability to work independently from home office with limited supervision.
• Excellent oral and written communication and presentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Increase annual sales revenue across the automation, control, and networking portfolio at customer accounts.
• Collaborate with local sales team on joint activities, trainings, and mutual action plans.
• Serve as local technical representative for products and support the sales team on power‑related technical matters.
• Develop sales tools, collateral and campaigns as regional marketing specialist.
• Maintain and update CRM with accurate client information and communicate effectively with Phoenix Contact team.
• Deliver presentations and hands-on demonstrations of products and technology to drive product sales.

Skills

Sales experience

Communication

Presentation

Travel

Education

Bachelor's degree in technical field

Tools

CRM software

Job description

Job SummaryThe Field Application Engineer (FAE) will provide technical, hands‑on expertise to support all business opportunities for Phoenix Contact products and applications directly associated with the automation, control and networking portfolio used within the industrial automation and electronics industry. The Field Application Engineer will collaborate with regional sales managers, strategic account managers, sales engineers, account development specialists, channel, and field application engineering teams, to utilize a consultative approach with all customers to support their individual needs and expand market penetration. This role plays a pivotal part in the development and expansion of all accounts, through automation, control and networking sales growth and specifications.

This is a regional role responsible for the Mid-Atlantic Region (Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Eastern Tennessee).

Responsibilities

• Increase annual sales revenue across all products directly associated with the automation, control, and networking portfolio at customer accounts. These products include but are not limited to ethernet products (wired or wireless), safety, controllers, IO, HMIs, IPCs and engineered solutions.
• Work in coordination with local Phoenix Contact sales team utilizing joint sales activities, trainings, and mutual action plans to advance the sales of above‑mentioned products.
• Act as the local technical representative for the above‑mentioned products and support the sales team in power‑related technical matters.
• Act as the regional marketing specialist developing sales tools, collateral and driving campaigns.
• Serve as the “voice of the customer” providing insight for expansion of product lines or new focus industries.
• Drive value‑added applications and engineered solutions.
• Meet/exceed territory sales quotas as established by the RSM and/or Vice President - Field Sales.
• Be proficient in BASE selling skills and implement to build strong customer relationships.
• Develops and maintains strong relationships with potential clients, partners, and other stakeholders to facilitate new business and sustain growth.
• Maintain and update CRM systems with accurate client information. Fully utilize the CRM as a communication, reporting, measurement, and tracking tool to enhance productivity.
• Effectively communicate with the entire Phoenix Contact team, both verbally and written.
• Be proficient in and drive the use of all sales tools provided to support local markets.
• Active involvement in industry‑related associations.
• Proactively utilize all resources and sales tools to maximize productivity, responsiveness, and customer delight.
• Continue personal development through an effective skill‑building program as determined by the RSM, Director of Sales, and/or the Harrisburg Training Department.
• Demonstrate technical competence on all products/solutions within area of focus.
• Provide reports to RSM as required.
• Deliver presentations and hands‑on demonstrations of Phoenix Contact automation, control and networking products, applications, and technology for the purpose of product sales.
• Develop and maintain a working knowledge on all Phoenix Contact automation, control, and networking products/solutions.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Four‑year college degree. Technical discipline preferred and/or equivalent industry experience.
• 3 years minimum sales or marketing experience with automation and industrial control products.
• Ability to work independently from home office and communicate effectively with colleagues with limited supervision.
• Excellent oral/written communication and presentation skills.
• Self‑motivated with the ability to learn and adapt quickly.

Essential Job Functions

• Must be able to travel via airplane.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and be able to travel via automobile for up to six hours at a time.
• Must be able to lift a minimum of 50 lbs.
• Must be able to travel overnight 40%+ or as dictated by assigned territory.
• Comply with company dress code guidelines.
• Punctuality is required.
• Regular and on‑time attendance.

Phoenix Contact offers a generous benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision coverage, 401k matching, bonus plan and a generous time off package. There are also a wide variety of additional benefits available including 16 weeks fully paid maternity leave & 10 weeks fully paid paternity leave, auto allowance, life insurance, short & long‑term disability, assistance, and more!

Phoenix Contact is committed to the diversity of our employees. We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, veteran status, and family medical or genetic information.

If you need special accommodations to access job openings or to apply for a job, please call 717-944-1300 between the hours of 8 AM and 5 PM, Eastern Standard Time, Monday – Friday or email [e-mail] .

Notice to Staffing Agencies, Placement Services, and Professional Recruiters:

Phoenix Contact has an internal Staffing Department. Recruiters are hereby specifically directed NOT to contact Phoenix Contact employees directly in an attempt to present candidates. Phoenix Contact will not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than directly from a candidate. Any unsolicited resumes sent to Phoenix Contact, including unsolicited resumes sent to a Phoenix Contact mailing address, fax machine or email address, directly to Phoenix Contact employees, or to Phoenix Contact’s resume database will be considered Phoenix Contact property. Phoenix Contact will NOT pay a fee for any placement resulting from the receipt of an unsolicited resume. Phoenix Contact will consider any candidate for whom a Recruiter has submitted an unsolicited resume to have been referred by the Recruiter free of any charges or fees. Phoenix Contact will not pay a fee to any Recruiter that does not have a signed Phoenix Contact contract in place specific to the position for which the resume was submitted. Recruiting vendor agreements will only be valid if in writing and signed by Phoenix Contact's Head of People & Organization or his or her designee. No other Phoenix Contact employee is authorized to bind Phoenix Contact to any agreement regarding the placement of candidates by Recruiters. By submitting a candidate to Phoenix Contact, recruiters agree to be bound and comply with this policy.

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self‑identification survey.Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiringprocess or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in aconfidential file.

As set forth in Phoenix Contact’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection.As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measurethe effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categoriesis as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service‑connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three‑year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.