Sales Engineer

KODIAK Construction Recruiting & Staffing; Chesapeake (VA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Career development and progression

401(k) plan with company match

PTO and paid holidays

Medical, dental, life, vision, and-dis

Disability benefits

Employee Assistance Program

Employee referral incentives

Car allowance and gas card

Job summary

Our Client, a full-service MEP contractor, seeks a Sales Engineer to develop technical, value-driven HVAC and mechanical solutions for commercial projects, spanning early discovery through proposal development.

You will work with customers, engineers, vendors, and internal teams to translate needs into engineered concepts, prepare estimates, and support proposals, with emphasis on design-build and complex opportunities.

Qualifications

• Experience in mechanical design, estimating, sales engineering, preconstruction, or a related mechanical construction role.
• Strong technical and mechanical knowledge of HVAC, ductwork, plumbing, and piping systems.
• Experience preparing cost estimates, technical proposals, budgets, or project scopes for commercial mechanical projects.
• Customer-facing experience with the ability to understand needs, explain technical concepts, and support project development.

Responsibilities

• Develop project solutions that bring value to existing customers and create a competitive advantage in bid situations through value engineering.
• Prepare cost estimates and technical proposals for HVAC systems on commercial projects, with a focus on design-build and more complex opportunities.
• Serve as the technical point of contact during the preconstruction phase, supporting proposal development and ensuring technical accuracy.
• Stay current on relevant codes, standards, and industry requirements to guide customers and support compliance throughout the project lifecycle.
• Engage directly with customers, engineers, vendors, and subcontractors to uncover new opportunities and understand market conditions.
• Qualify upcoming projects by evaluating scope, risks, delivery approach, award timelines, customer expectations, and overall project fit.
• Collaborate with customers to define clear project scopes and translate technical and commercial requirements into actionable information for internal teams.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key vendors and subcontractors to support competitive pricing, reliable partnerships, and high-quality project execution.
• Partner with the sales team to develop and refine budgets, ensuring alignment with project requirements and customer expectations.
• Support customer relationships by providing technical insight, problem-solving, and solution-oriented recommendations.

Skills

HVAC systems knowledge

Estimating

Preconstruction

Sales engineering

Customer-facing

Relationship building

Excel

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering / Building Construction / Construction Engineering Management

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Job Description

Job Title: Sales Engineer

Department: Sales / Preconstruction / Mechanical Construction

Reports To: Sales Manager / Preconstruction Leadership

FLSA: Exempt

Location: Not specified

Position Summary

Our Client is seeking a Sales Engineer to help develop technical, value-driven mechanical solutions for commercial customers. This role sits at the intersection of engineering, sales strategy, estimating, and customer relationships, supporting complex HVAC and mechanical project opportunities from early discovery through proposal development.

The Sales Engineer will work closely with customers, engineers, vendors, subcontractors, and internal sales teams to understand project needs, develop solutions, prepare estimates, and support technical proposals. This is an excellent opportunity for someone with strong mechanical knowledge, customer-facing skills, and the ability to translate customer challenges into practical engineered solutions.

Who We Are

Our Client is deeply committed to its people, culture, and continued business growth. As a full-service MEP contractor, Our Client takes pride in the quality and expertise of its teams, who work across a diverse range of specialties including New Construction, Mechanical Service, Industrial Refrigeration, and Manufacturing.

For more than 50 years, Our Client has been dedicated to delivering comprehensive solutions and unmatched service to commercial customers, earning a reputation as a trusted contractor in the industry.

Perks of Joining Our Client

• Competitive salary
• Career development and progression
• 401(k) plan with company match
• PTO and paid holidays
• Excellent medical, dental, life, vision, and disability benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee referral incentives
• Car allowance and gas card

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

A Day in the Life

• Develop project solutions that bring value to existing customers and create a competitive advantage in bid situations through value engineering
• Prepare cost estimates and technical proposals for HVAC systems on commercial projects, with a focus on design-build and more complex opportunities
• Serve as the technical point of contact during the preconstruction phase, supporting proposal development and ensuring technical accuracy
• Stay current on relevant codes, standards, and industry requirements to guide customers and support compliance throughout the project lifecycle
• Engage directly with customers, engineers, vendors, and subcontractors to uncover new opportunities and understand market conditions
• Qualify upcoming projects by evaluating scope, risks, delivery approach, award timelines, customer expectations, and overall project fit
• Collaborate with customers to define clear project scopes and translate technical and commercial requirements into actionable information for internal teams
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key vendors and subcontractors to support competitive pricing, reliable partnerships, and high-quality project execution
• Partner with the sales team to develop and refine budgets, ensuring alignment with project requirements and customer expectations
• Support customer relationships by providing technical insight, problem-solving, and solution-oriented recommendations

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience

• Experience in mechanical design, estimating, sales engineering, preconstruction, or a related mechanical construction role
• Strong technical and mechanical knowledge of HVAC, ductwork, plumbing, and piping systems
• Experience preparing cost estimates, technical proposals, budgets, or project scopes for commercial mechanical projects
• Customer-facing experience with the ability to understand needs, explain technical concepts, and support project development

Required Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Ability to translate customer challenges into engineered mechanical solutions
• Strong understanding of commercial HVAC and mechanical systems
• Ability to evaluate project scope, risk, timelines, delivery approach, and customer expectations
• Strong relationship-building skills with customers, engineers, vendors, subcontractors, and internal teams
• Ability to manage customer relationships, perceptions, and expectations
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel for cost estimating and engineering-related functions
• Strong communication, organization, and problem-solving skills
• Knowledge of business and management principles related to strategic planning, cost forecasting, resource allocation, and coordination of people and resources

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Building Construction, Construction Engineering Management, or a related field
• Business development experience with general contractors
• Experience supporting design-build mechanical projects or complex commercial HVAC opportunities
• Familiarity with preconstruction, value engineering, and proposal development processes

Equal Opportunity Employer

Our Client is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other protected status.

Veterans and those with previous military experience are encouraged to apply.