Sales Application Engineer

Korn Ferry; Williamsburg (VA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Korn Ferry is representing a client seeking a Commercial Proposal Specialist for electrical power distribution. This role focuses on developing accurate proposals, bridging engineering, sales, and commercial strategy to win bids.

Based in a technically sophisticated environment, you will prepare configurations, estimates, and proposals, support negotiations, and assist in transitioning awarded projects to execution. The position emphasizes cross-functional teamwork and efficiency improvements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related technical discipline preferred
• 5+ years of experience in applications engineering, electrical estimating, proposal engineering
• Experience with electrical power distribution equipment, switchgear, or related engineered products
• Experience supporting industrial, commercial, manufacturing, or data center projects preferred
• Ability to interpret electrical drawings, single-line diagrams, specs and submittals
• Familiarity with electrical codes, standards, and product certifications

Responsibilities

• Develop accurate, competitive estimates and proposals for engineered electrical power distribution equipment
• Review technical drawings, single-line diagrams and bid documents
• Develop material, labor, and project cost estimates
• Apply value-engineering to improve competitiveness while protecting profitability
• Maintain cost databases and estimating tools
• Utilize AI-enabled estimating/configuration tools to improve accuracy and speed
• Support commercial negotiations and change-order activities
• Assist with transition of awarded projects from sales to project execution

Skills

Proposal development

Estimating

Bid management

Customer focus

Commercial acumen

Analytical thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Salesforce

HubSpot

Oracle

SAP

NetSuite

Job description

Technical Sales & Commercial Proposal Specialist – Electrical Power Distribution

Location: Arizona – On-Site (relocation provided if you are not local)

Department: Sales / Applications Engineering

Employment Type: Full-Time

About the Company

Our client is a growing U.S.-based manufacturer serving the mission-critical, data center, industrial, and commercial infrastructure markets.

The organization designs and manufactures engineered electrical power distribution solutions and is experiencing significant growth. This is an opportunity to join a technically sophisticated organization where engineering, estimating, sales, manufacturing, and supply chain work closely together to deliver customized solutions to customers.

Company name and additional identifying information will be provided to qualified candidates during the interview process.

Position Summary

We are seeking a commercially astute Sales Applications Engineer who combines strong technical estimating skills with a customer-focused, deal-oriented mindset.

This is an internal sales and applications engineering position, rather than a traditional field or pre-sales Sales Engineer role.

The position sits at the intersection of technical estimating, product configuration, engineering, sales, and commercial strategy. The successful candidate will be responsible for developing accurate and competitive proposals for engineered electrical power distribution systems while serving as a key technical-commercial resource for customers and the sales organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop accurate, competitive, and commercially sound estimates and proposals for engineered electrical power distribution equipment.


• Review and interpret technical drawings, single-line diagrams, electrical specifications, bid documents, customer requirements, and technical submittals.


• Develop accurate material, labor, and project cost estimates.


• Apply value-engineering principles to improve competitiveness while protecting profitability.


• Maintain and improve cost databases and estimating tools.


• Utilize technology and AI-enabled estimating/configuration tools where appropriate to improve estimating accuracy, speed, and risk assessment.

Commercial & Strategic Support

• Analyze project scope and identify cost implications throughout the sales cycle.


• Refine cost structures and estimating strategies to support competitive bids.


• Work closely with sales leadership to develop winning proposal strategies.


• Support commercial negotiations and change-order activities.


• Assist with the transition of awarded projects from sales into project execution.

Technical Sales Support & Customer Interface

• Serve as the technical-commercial resource throughout the sales process.


• Translate customer requirements into appropriate product configurations and engineered solutions.


• Prepare product configurations, drawings, estimates, and commercial proposals.


• Participate in customer presentations, technical discussions, and Q&A sessions.


• Participate in site visits when required.


• Support order processing and project handoff.


• Provide technical and commercial support after the sale as needed.

Supply Chain & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Develop and maintain relationships with key suppliers and manufacturing partners.


• Obtain competitive pricing while considering availability, quality, and lead times.


• Incorporate material availability and supply-chain risks into project estimates.


• Work closely with Engineering, Procurement, Manufacturing, Operations, and Sales to confirm feasibility and manufacturability.


• Support development and maintenance of standardized pricing, estimating, configuration, and proposal tools.


• Stay current with applicable electrical standards, codes, and industry developments.

Qualifications

Technical & Industry Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or a related technical discipline preferred; equivalent experience will be considered.


• 5+ years of experience in applications engineering, electrical estimating, proposal engineering, or a closely related role.


• Experience with electrical power distribution equipment, switchgear, electrical assemblies, or related engineered electrical products.


• Experience supporting industrial, commercial, manufacturing, or data center projects preferred.


• Ability to interpret electrical drawings, single-line diagrams, specifications, layouts, and other technical documentation.


• Strong understanding of electrical power distribution concepts and low-voltage electrical systems.


• Familiarity with applicable electrical codes, standards, and product certifications.

Commercial & Business Acumen

• Strong understanding of project costing, estimating, value engineering, and margin considerations.


• Ability to evaluate technical requirements from both an engineering and commercial perspective.


• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.


• Customer-focused and commercially minded.


• Ability to manage multiple bids and priorities simultaneously.


• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, growth-oriented environment.

Systems & Communication

• Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office and estimating/configuration software.


• Experience with CRM and ERP systems such as Salesforce, HubSpot, Oracle, SAP, NetSuite, or similar platforms.


• Experience with technology-enabled or AI-assisted estimating tools is a plus.


• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.


• Strong organizational and project-coordination abilities.


• Comfortable communicating with customers, vendors, engineers, sales professionals, and internal leadership.

Preferred Experience

• Applications engineering experience with electrical power distribution equipment.


• Experience supporting data center, mission-critical, industrial, or infrastructure projects.


• Previous customer-facing engineering or technical sales experience.


• Experience with engineered-to-order or configurable electrical products.


• Experience working with manufacturers, electrical equipment suppliers, or related supply chains.

Why This Opportunity?

• Join a growing organization serving high-demand infrastructure markets.


• Significant exposure to engineering, sales, estimating, manufacturing, and customers.


• Opportunity to have direct impact on proposal strategy and business growth.


• Hands-on role with substantial technical and commercial responsibility.


• Opportunity to work with emerging technology and AI-enabled estimating tools.


• Strong potential for career growth as the organization continues to expand.