Sales Engineer

OERTZENGroup; Birmingham (AL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

The Senior Sales Engineer at OERTZENGroup will drive revenue growth across North America by identifying new market opportunities and developing customer relationships in non-automotive industries.

You will translate complex technical needs into commercially viable conveyor and intralogistics solutions, collaborate with German engineering teams to develop proposals, and help shape the U.S. sales strategy for scalable growth.

Qualifications

• 5-10+ years in technical sales, sales engineering, or business development in industrial markets (automation/conveyor)
• Strong understanding of industrial conveyor technologies and automated material handling
• Proven track record in complex, high-value B2B sales
• Experience developing strategic accounts and driving revenue growth
• Strong negotiation, proposal development, and pricing understanding
• Ability to engage with engineering teams and executive stakeholders
• Willingness to travel nationally ~20-40%
• Degree in Mechanical/Industrial Engineering preferred; business degree acceptable with relevant experience

Responsibilities

• Lead complex, consultative sales opportunities involving conveyor systems and intralogistics solutions
• Assess customer operations and material flow to tailor solutions
• Translate requirements into technical and commercial proposals with German teams
• Present concepts, business cases, and value propositions to leaders and decision-makers
• Lead negotiations and manage proposals through to contract
• Build long-term relationships delivering measurable value

Skills

Technical sales

Business development

Negotiation

Account planning

English communication

Travel willingness

Education

Engineering degree

Job description

The Senior Sales Engineer will drive revenue growth by identifying new market opportunities, developing customer relationships, and delivering customized conveyor and intralogistics solutions across North America. The role will focus on expanding into non-automotive industries while developing opportunities in pallet logistics, tire and wheel systems, conveyor components, service, and spare parts.

This position combines technical solution selling with strategic business development. The successful candidate will understand customer operations and material flow requirements, translate complex technical needs into commercially viable solutions, and collaborate with engineering teams in Germany to develop proposals and win high-value projects.

Beyond managing individual opportunities, this person will play a key role in shaping the U.S. sales strategy, establishing scalable business development processes, and building the commercial foundation for future growth. The position is suited to a senior-level sales professional who can operate independently, take initiative, and grow into a broader leadership role as the U.S. operation expands.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Sales & Solution Development

• Lead complex, consultative sales opportunities involving conveyor systems, automated material handling, and intralogistics solutions.
• Assess customer operations, material flow, production processes, facility layouts, and automation requirements to identify opportunities for customized solutions.
• Translate customer requirements into technical concepts and commercial proposals in collaboration with engineering and sales teams in Germany.
• Present solution concepts, technical capabilities, business cases, and value propositions to engineering teams, plant leadership, procurement, and executive decision-makers.
• Lead commercial negotiations and coordinate customer requirements through proposal development, project award, and contract execution.
• Build long-term relationships with customers by understanding their operational challenges and positioning solutions that deliver measurable value.

Strategic Business Development & Market Expansion

• Proactively identify, qualify, and pursue new business opportunities across North America, with a focus on general manufacturing, intralogistics, e-commerce, warehousing, and other non-automotive markets.
• Develop and execute targeted account strategies to penetrate new industries, expand customer relationships, and generate sustainable revenue growth.
• Build and manage a strong sales pipeline, taking ownership of opportunities from initial prospecting through closing.
• Develop relationships with OEMs, system integrators, engineering firms, plant managers, and senior decision-makers.
• Evaluate market trends, customer investment priorities, and competitor activity to identify new growth opportunities.
• Represent the organization at industry trade shows, customer events, and networking opportunities, including MODEX and ProMat.
• Contribute to the development of the U.S. go-to-market strategy, sales processes, and commercial infrastructure.
• Develop business opportunities in key markets, including pallet logistics systems, tire and wheel handling systems, conveyor components, and other industrial material handling applications.
• Identify opportunities to grow aftermarket revenue through service agreements, spare parts, replacement components, and ongoing customer support.
• Help establish and expand the commercial and operational processes required to support the U.S. service and spare parts business.
• Identify opportunities to expand existing accounts and develop long-term revenue streams beyond initial equipment sales.

Leadership & Business Growth

• Operate with a high degree of autonomy, taking ownership of customer development, sales execution, and market expansion.
• Work closely with German leadership and engineering teams to align U.S. commercial activities with broader company objectives.
• Establish repeatable sales and account development processes that can support a growing commercial organization.
• Contribute to future sales team development, including identifying hiring needs, sharing best practices, and helping establish team priorities.
• Take on increasing strategic and leadership responsibilities as the U.S. operation grows, with the potential to progress into a Director of Business Development position.

Qualifications & Experience

• Experience: Typically 5-10+ years of experience in technical sales, sales engineering, or business development within industrial automation, conveyor systems, material handling, intralogistics, or related capital equipment markets.
• Technical Expertise: Strong understanding of industrial conveyor technologies and automated material handling solutions, such as pallet conveyors, chain conveyors, zero-pressure accumulation systems, and automated storage and retrieval system (AS/RS) integration.
• Complex Solution Selling: Demonstrated ability to manage technically complex, high-value B2B sales opportunities involving multiple stakeholders and extended sales cycles.
• Business Development: Proven track record of identifying and winning new business, developing strategic accounts, and consistently achieving revenue targets.
• Commercial Acumen: Strong negotiation, proposal development, and account planning skills, with an understanding of project economics, pricing, and profitability.
• Customer Engagement: Ability to build credibility with engineering teams, system integrators, plant management, procurement, and executive-level decision-makers.
• Entrepreneurial Mindset: Self-directed, proactive, and comfortable building business in a lean U.S. operation while collaborating with an established international organization.
• Communication: Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills in English, with the ability to communicate technical concepts clearly to both technical and nontechnical audiences.
• Travel: Willingness to travel nationally approximately 20-40% of the time for customer visits, project discussions, and industry events.

A degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related technical field is preferred. Candidates with a business degree and substantial technical sales experience will also be considered.

Experience in non-automotive industrial markets, new market development, and working with international engineering teams is particularly valuable.