Instrument Technical Sales Specialist - Midwest

Becton Dickinson; Milpitas (CA); On-site; USD 96,000 - 153,000; Full time

Job summary

Waters is seeking an Instrument Technical Sales Specialist to be a strategic technical consultant who helps customers solve complex scientific challenges while driving commercial success. This field-based role supports Waters’ customers across the Milpitas area, partnering with Account Managers to influence purchasing decisions and position Waters as the trusted partner of choice.

The ideal candidate brings strong technical credibility, hands-on experience with analytical instrumentation, and a

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences or related field.
• Experience in technical sales, field applications, laboratory operations or related customer-facing technical roles.
• Strong presentation, communication and relationship-building skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead consultative customer discovery to identify explicit and latent customer needs.
• Deliver compelling, application-focused demonstrations connecting science to business value.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to scientific, technical, and operational stakeholders.
• Guide customers through technical evaluations and instrument selection processes.
• Build long-term customer relationships based on trust, expertise, and partnership.

Skills

Technical sales

Field applications

Laboratory operations

Scientific research

Customer-facing

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences

Tools

CRM tools

Job description

As a result of the combination of the BD Biosciences and Diagnostic Solutions business with Waters Corporation (NYSE: WAT), by applying to this role, you will be applying for a position with Waters. Waters is a global leader in life sciences, dedicated to accelerating the benefits of pioneering science through analytical technologies, informatics, and service. With a focus on regulated, high-volume testing environments, Waters’ innovative portfolio harnesses deep scientific expertise across biology, chemistry, and physics. Waters collaborates with analytical laboratories around the world to advance the release of effective, high-quality medicines, assure the safety of food and water, and drive better patient outcomes by detecting diseases earlier, managing routine infections, and combatting growing antibiotic resistance. Through a shared culture of relentless innovation, Waters’ passionate team of approximately 16,000 colleagues partner with customers to turn scientific challenges into breakthroughs that improve lives worldwide. We are the people who give possibilities purpose BD is one of the largest global medical technology companies in the world. Advancing the world of health™ is our Purpose, and it’s no small feat. It takes the imagination and passion of all of us—from design and engineering to the manufacturing and marketing of our billions of MedTech products per year—to look at the impossible and find transformative solutions that turn dreams into possibilities.

Job Description Demonstrate the Science. Shape the Solution. Accelerate the Win.

Position Summary

At Waters, our Instrument Technical Sales Specialists are strategic technical consultants who help customers solve complex scientific challenges while driving commercial success. Operating at the intersection of scientific expertise, customer insight, consultative selling, and commercial execution, you will partner closely with Account Managers to influence purchasing decisions and position Waters as the trusted partner of choice. This is more than a technical support role. It is a highly visible, customer-facing position where you will lead technical discovery, shape solution strategies, and guide customers through complex buying decisions. By combining deep scientific knowledge with a consultative and customer-centric approach, you will uncover customer needs, develop impactful solutions, and drive meaningful scientific and business outcomes. The ideal candidate brings strong technical credibility and a passion for working directly with customers. They enjoy building relationships, influencing decisions, solving complex problems, and contributing to commercial success. While scientific expertise is foundational, this role offers a unique opportunity to further develop commercial acumen, consultative selling skills, and business impact. Instrument sales opportunities often involve longer sales cycles, multiple decision-makers, technical evaluations, competitive displacement opportunities, and capital approval processes. Success requires strategic thinking, persistence, strong customer engagement, and the ability to build momentum throughout complex customer buying journeys. This is a high-impact opportunity for scientific professionals who want to remain close to the science while playing a direct role in shaping customer outcomes, driving growth, and winning business.

Core Competencies

Customer-Centric Mindset

Builds trusted relationships through deep understanding of customer goals, challenges, and workflows. Delivers solutions that create measurable scientific and business value. Champions customer success while balancing commercial objectives.

Consultative Selling & Influence

Uncovers both stated and unstated customer needs through thoughtful discovery. Aligns technical solutions with customer priorities and desired outcomes. Influences decisions through credibility, insight, and value-based discussions.

Scientific & Technical Expertise

Demonstrates deep scientific knowledge and technical credibility. Applies application expertise to solve complex customer challenges. Simplifies technical concepts and translates them into customer value.

Commercial Acumen

Understands how technical solutions contribute to business outcomes and revenue growth. Partners effectively with Account Managers to develop and execute winning strategies. Contributes to territory growth and commercial success.

Opportunity Leadership

Drives momentum through complex, multi-stakeholder opportunities. Maintains focus and engagement throughout longer sales cycles. Operates with accountability, urgency, and a results-oriented mindset.

Collaboration & Teamwork

Works effectively across Sales, Applications, Service, Marketing, and Product teams. Leverages cross-functional expertise to create exceptional customer experiences. Contributes to a culture of performance, continuous learning, and winning.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Leadership & Customer Engagement

• Lead consultative customer discovery to identify explicit and latent customer needs.
• Deliver compelling, application-focused demonstrations that connect science to business value.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to scientific, technical, and operational stakeholders.
• Guide customers through technical evaluations and instrument selection processes.
• Build long-term customer relationships based on trust, expertise, and partnership.

Solution Development & Positioning

• Design and position integrated solutions across instruments, consumables, software, and workflows.
• Align recommendations with customer challenges, workflows, and success criteria.
• Articulate Waters' differentiated value in competitive situations.
• Shape solution strategies that build confidence and accelerate decision-making.

Opportunity Support & Deal Advancement

• Partner with Account Managers to develop and execute winning opportunity strategies.
• Lead technical engagement throughout the sales cycle.
• Anticipate and address technical objections with confidence and expertise.
• Support progression and closure of complex instrument opportunities.
• Maintain momentum through long-cycle opportunities involving multiple stakeholders and approval processes.

Competitive & Market Expertise

• Maintain deep knowledge of technologies, applications, industry trends, and competitive offerings.
• Effectively position Waters solutions against competitors.
• Provide field insights to support product development, marketing, and commercial strategy.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate closely with Applications Scientists, Service, Marketing, Product Management, and Commercial teams.
• Coordinate internal resources to deliver seamless customer experiences.
• Contribute to a high-performing team culture focused on growth and customer success.

What Success Looks Like

• Improves instrument win rates in competitive opportunities.
• Accelerates complex sales cycles through technical leadership and customer influence.
• Builds strong customer confidence in Waters solutions.
• Increases conversion of qualified opportunities into closed business.
• Strengthens Waters' differentiation in the marketplace.
• Enables territory growth through effective partnership with Account Managers.
• Recognized as a trusted technical expert, strategic advisor, and valued commercial partner.

Qualifications & Experience

• Required Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences or a related scientific field.
• Experience in technical sales, field applications, laboratory operations, scientific research, or related customer-facing technical roles.
• Strong presentation, communication, consultative problem-solving, and relationship-building skills.
• Demonstrated ability to translate technical concepts into customer value.
• Ability to engage credibly with scientific, technical, and operational stakeholders.
• Willingness to travel throughout the assigned territory.
• Preferred Experience with analytical instrumentation platforms.
• Background in flow cytometry, cell analysis, immunology, biotechnology, diagnostics, life sciences, or related scientific disciplines.
• Experience supporting capital equipment or complex solution sales.
• Experience in field applications, scientific consulting, product specialist, or technical customer-facing roles.
• Demonstrated interest in developing commercial and business development capabilities.
• Experience engaging both scientific and business decision-makers.
• Familiarity with CRM tools and structured sales methodologies.

Work Environment & Travel

Field-based role requiring regular customer-facing engagement throughout the assigned territory. Travel approximately 50-60%, including customer visits, demonstrations, industry events, internal meetings, and training activities. This position requires a strong field presence and a passion for working directly with customers. Success in this role is built on in-person customer engagement, consultative partnership, and technical leadership in the field. To effectively support the territory, candidates should reside within approximately 50 miles of a major airport.

Preferred Locations

Preferred Locations: Chicago, Detroit, MinneapolisAdditional Locations Considered: Kansas City, Columbus, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, or Nashville

At BD, we prioritize on-site collaboration because we believe it fosters creativity, innovation, and effective problem-solving, which are essential in the fast-paced healthcare industry. For most roles, we require a minimum of 4 days of in-office presence per week to maintain our culture of excellence and ensure smooth operations, while also recognizing the importance of flexibility and work-life balance. Remote or field-based positions will have different workplace arrangements which will be indicated in the job posting. For certain roles at BD, employment is contingent upon the Company’s receipt of sufficient proof that you are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. In some locations, testing for COVID-19 may be available and/or required. Consistent with BD’s Workplace Accommodations Policy, requests for accommodation will be considered pursuant to applicable law.

Why Join Us?

A career at BD means being part of a team that values your opinions and contributions and that encourages you to bring your authentic self to work. It’s also a place where we help each other be great, we do what’s right, we hold each other accountable, and learn and improve every day. To find purpose in the possibilities, we need people who can see the bigger picture, who understand the human story that underpins everything we do. We welcome people with the imagination and drive to help us reinvent the future of health.

Why Join Us?

To find purpose in the possibilities, we need people who can see the bigger picture, who understand the human story that underpins everything we do. We welcome people with the imagination and drive to help us reinvent the future of healthcare. At BD, you’ll discover a culture in which you can learn, grow and thrive. We believe that when people connect in person, we learn faster, collaborate more deeply, and build a stronger culture. Join us and enjoy a culture where face-to-face collaboration supports your learning, your progress, and your success. To learn more about BD visit https://bd.com/careers.

Becton, Dickinson and Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We evaluate applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, marital or domestic or civil union status, familial status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetics, disability, military eligibility or veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.

Becton, Dickinson and Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We evaluate applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, marital or domestic or civil union status, familial status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetics, disability, military eligibility or veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.

Primary Work Location USA CA - Milpitas 135 Additional Locations Work Shift

Salary or hourly rate ranges reward associates fairly and competitively. We regularly review these ranges and factors, such as location, contribute to the range displayed. Our pay is based on the role and the necessary skills and education to perform it successfully. The salary or hourly rate offered is determined by the role's specific requirements, including any applicable step rate pay system at the work location. Salary Range Information $95,600.00 - $153,000.00 USD Annual

We are the #MakersofPossible Working together, we make products that patients, families and their healthcare professionals rely on. We do this because we are committed to advancing the world of health™. But it takes the imagination and passion of all of us at BD, from manufacturing to marketing, to look at the impossible and find solutions that turn dreams into possibilities with real-life health benefits for people today, tomorrow and beyond. We make this happen, together. We are the makers of possible.

Becton, Dickinson and Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We evaluate applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, marital or domestic or civil union status, familial status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetics, disability, military eligibility or veteran status, and other legally-protected characteristics.