Sales Application Engineer - Controls

OTTO Engineering, Inc; Carpentersville (IL); On-site; USD 75,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Profit sharing bonus

Vacation: 80 hours

Health insurance options

401(k) with company match

Paid holidays

Job summary

OTTO Engineering, Inc is seeking a Sales Application Engineer in Carpentersville, Illinois. This role focuses on driving sales initiatives across North America, requiring collaboration with Sales and Engineering teams. The ideal candidate will bring a Bachelor's degree, 2+ years of experience in technical sales, and strong project management skills. Offering a salary range of $75,000 to $90,000, profit sharing, and comprehensive benefits including health insurance and a 401(k) plan.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience in a technical or manufacturing sales environment.
• Strong ability to learn and apply product and application knowledge.
• Experience with project management and managing multiple priorities.

Responsibilities

• Support and drive sales project development across North America.
• Build and strengthen customer relationships through direct engagement.
• Coordinate and manage multiple projects simultaneously.

Skills

Technical aptitude

Communication skills

Project management

Electro-mechanical products knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Sales Application Engineer - Controls

You will support the growth and execution of sales initiatives across North America by combining technical expertise with commercial acumen. This role partners closely with Sales, Engineering, and outside manufacturer representatives to drive new business opportunities, support design‑in activities, and ensure successful project execution.

Responsibilities

• Support and drive sales project development across North America, from opportunity identification through capture.
• Partner with Regional Sales Managers, Major Account Managers, independent manufacturer representatives, and distributors to achieve project and revenue objectives.
• Build and strengthen customer relationships through direct engagement, including customer visits, rep interactions, and trade show support.
• Coordinate and manage multiple projects simultaneously, aligning internal and external resources to meet timelines and objectives.
• Track and support key opportunities, assisting RSMs in advancing and closing business.
• Collaborate with the customer’s engineering teams to support design‑in activities and translate technical requirements into internal product solutions.
• Support RSMs to develop and deliver proposals, including responses to RFQs/RFPs and customized solutions aligned with customer needs.
• Identify and address technical challenges throughout the sales cycle to ensure customer satisfaction and successful project execution.
• Work cross‑functionally with Engineering to support product development and navigate OTTO’s Phase Gate process.
• Provide market intelligence, including competitive insights, new product opportunities, and long‑term growth trends.
• Travel as required to support customers, representatives, distributors, and industry trade shows.
• Support additional sales and business development activities as needed.

About You – What You’ll Bring to the Table

• Bachelor’s degree required; Mechanical or Electrical Engineering preferred.
• 2+ years of experience in a technical or manufacturing sales environment.
• Strong technical aptitude with the ability to quickly learn and apply product and application knowledge.
• Experience working with electro‑mechanical products (switches, joysticks, or similar) preferred.
• Project management experience with the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to engage technical and commercial stakeholders.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word).
• Self‑motivated, detail‑oriented, and capable of working in a fast‑paced, dynamic environment.
• Proven ability to follow through and execute against defined objectives.
• Willingness to travel and support non‑standard work schedules as required.

What OTTO Offers for This Specific Position

• Target base salary hiring range: $75,000 to $90,000, based on qualifications and experience.
• Profit sharing bonus – distributed twice a year at the discretion of the company; not a guaranteed bonus.
• Vacation: 80 hours earned on the anniversary date.

OTTO’s Benefits

Health:

• HMO Plan
• Standard PPO Plan
• Enhanced PPO Plan
• High Deductible PPO Plan
• FSA, LFSA, and HSA

Dental Insurance:

• Base Plan
• Buy‑Up Plan

Vision Insurance

401(k) with a company match

Life insurance:

• Life/AD&D
• Voluntary Life/AD&D
• Short‑Term Disability
• Long‑Term Disability

10 paid holidays

Company picnic

Holiday party

An assortment of OTTO celebrations throughout the year!

OTTO Engineering is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Disability/Veteran.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, please let us know if you require a reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the online application process. You may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to access job openings or apply for a job on this site as a result of your disability.

We do not accept unsolicited resumes from third‑party recruiters, agencies, or similar organizations; any submissions will not be honored.