Sales Application Engineer

M1 Search Group; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

M1 Search Group is seeking a Sales Application Engineer to translate customer requirements into technically feasible automated storage solutions. You will own opportunities through concept and quotation, develop system layouts, perform calculations, and present proposals to customers.

You will collaborate with Sales, integrators, and internal engineering teams on kits including pallet storage, conveyors, AMRs, robotics, and racking. Travel up to 10% is expected as required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering preferred.
• Strong AutoCAD 2D knowledge required.
• Experience with warehouse storage rack design.
• Experience with pre-sales or proposal engineering.
• Ability to perform throughput and capacity calculations.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Willingness to travel ~10%.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate customer requirements and assess feasibility.
• Develop system concepts integrating storage, racking, robotics, conveyors, lifts.
• Create AutoCAD 2D layouts for warehouse storage and automation systems.
• Develop pallet racking configurations based on storage requirements.
• Perform throughput and capacity calculations.
• Support Sales with technical and commercial proposals.
• Present solutions to customers and stakeholders.
• Handoff awarded projects to detailed engineering and execution.
• Maintain internal design tools and configuration processes.
• Attend customer meetings in a technical support or presenting capacity.

Skills

Pre-sales experience

Applications engineering

Systems design

Proposal engineering

AutoCAD 2D

3D CAD tools

Technical communication

Presentation skills

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

Autodesk Inventor

SolidWorks

Job description

The Sales Application Engineer plays a key role in developing automated warehouse storage solutions during the pre-sales and quoting process. This position works closely with the Sales team, customers, integrators, and internal engineering groups to translate customer requirements into technically feasible, competitive solutions. The role is primarily focused on application engineering and technical sales support, you will own assigned opportunities through the concept and quotation phase, develop system layouts and calculations, present proposed solutions to customers, and support the transition to project execution once an order is secured.

Solutions may include automated pallet storage systems, pallet shuttles, racking systems, conveyors, lifts, robotics, and other material handling automation equipment.

Projects can range from several million dollars to large-scale automated systems exceeding $50M.

Responsibilities:

• Evaluate customer requirements and determine the technical feasibility of proposed automated storage solutions.
• Develop efficient system concepts integrating automated storage, racking, robotics, conveyors, lifts, and related material handling technologies.
• Create detailed AutoCAD 2D layouts for warehouse storage and automation systems.
• Develop and optimize pallet racking configurations based on customer storage requirements.
• Use internal configuration and engineering tools to determine structural requirements, load capacities, beam configurations, tolerances, and system parameters.
• Perform throughput and capacity calculations, including cycle counts, shuttle quantities, equipment sizing, and system performance analysis.
• Work closely with Sales to develop both the technical and commercial portions of customer proposals.
• Support concept development with customers, integrators, and sales partners.
• Present proposed solutions to technical stakeholders and explain system layouts, material flow, capabilities, and design decisions.
• Develop project schedules, calculations, documentation, and supporting technical information for proposals.
• Review assigned bids for feasibility, pricing, timelines, risks, liabilities, and technical compliance.
• Manage multiple opportunities simultaneously through different stages of the quoting process.
• Participate in internal project and opportunity reviews.
• Support the handoff of awarded projects from the sales/application engineering phase into detailed engineering and project execution.
• Maintain and support internal design tools, documentation, and configuration processes.
• Attend customer meetings in a technical supporting or presenting capacity.

Qualifications:

• Several years of engineering experience in a pre-sales, applications engineering, systems design, or proposal engineering capacity within material handling automation.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering preferred. Mechanical, Civil, Structural, Automation, Robotics, Electrical, Electromechanical, Mechatronics, or similar engineering disciplines may be considered.
• Strong working knowledge of AutoCAD 2D is required.
• Experience designing or configuring warehouse storage rack systems.
• Understanding of warehouse racking loads, tolerances, structural behavior, and storage optimization.
• Experience with material handling automation such as:
• AS/RS
• Pallet shuttle systems
• AMRs
• Robotics
• Automated pallet handling
• Ability to perform engineering calculations related to throughput, equipment quantities, storage capacity, and system sizing.
• Experience with 3D CAD tools such as Autodesk Inventor, SolidWorks, or similar software is a plus.
• Strong communication and presentation skills.
• Comfortable presenting technical solutions directly to customers and technical decision-makers.
• Ability to manage several active projects or quotations simultaneously.
• Experience working with warehouse automation integrators is a plus.
• For candidates located near Romeoville, the typical schedule is approximately three days onsite and two days remote.
• Remote candidates may be considered throughout the United States and will periodically travel to the Romeoville office for meetings, training, workshops, and team events.
• Travel: Customer travel is limited and typically represents approximately 10% or less of the position.