Sales Engineer I - Machined Core

Plascore Inc; Zeeland (MI); On-site; USD 52,000 - 78,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

401K Match

Paid Time Off

Education Support

Job summary

Plascore Inc. in Zeeland, MI is seeking an Entry-level Sales Engineer to combine technical expertise with sales skills. You will learn product specifications, support the sales team, and engage with customers to tailor solutions that meet their needs.

This role focuses on understanding requirements, preparing proposals, and collaborating across teams. You will work with a close-knit team on projects of varying complexity, including demonstrations and technical discussions to help close deals.

Qualifications

• Strong technical background in relevant engineering disciplines.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills to explain complex technical concepts clearly.
• Ability to build relationships and rapport with customers.
• Sales acumen, including lead generation, negotiation, and closing deals.
• Analytical skills to assess customer needs and identify appropriate solutions.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a sales team.
• Works closely with more senior staff and contributors to milestones.
• Initiative and problem solving within assigned tasks.

Responsibilities

• Answer customer inquiries promptly and professionally.
• Provide customer service for RFQ, order entry, expediting, shipping and documentation.
• Perform project take-offs and determine customer requirements.
• Read blueprints and interpret specifications.
• Create detailed bills of materials and supporting documents.
• Recommend Plascore products suitable for the application and perform contracts reviews.
• Analyze customer requirements and develop solutions.
• Follow up on RFQs to secure orders and understand losses.
• Maintain customer contact information and manage samples.

Skills

Engineering basics

Communication

Customer relations

Sales acumen

Analytical skills

Teamwork

Education

4 Year Degree

1–2 years experience

Job description

Job Details

Level: Entry

Job Location: 450A - ZEELAND, MI 49464

Position Type: Full Time

Education Level: 4 Year Degree

Job Shift: 1st shift

Job Category: Engineering

Entry-level position where the individual gains foundational knowledge of the product and sales process. A sales engineer is a professional who combines strong technical knowledge with sales skills to sell complex technical products or services to businesses, acting as a bridge between a company's technical offerings and customer needs by explaining product features, addressing technical concerns, and ultimately closing sales by demonstrating how the product can solve customer problems; and are responsible for understanding customer requirements, providing technical expertise, and collaborating with the sales team to secure deals.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Answer customer inquiries in a prompt, professional manner.
• Provide customer service and customer satisfaction with respect to request for quotation, order entry, expediting, shipping and documentation.
• Project take-offs including determining customer/project requirements.
• Read and understand blueprints, interpret specifications.
• Create detailed bill of materials, spreadsheets and supporting documents based on take-offs.
• Determine the appropriate Plascore product suitable for the customer’s application.
• Perform contract review on standard and non-standard products.
• Analyze customer requirements and devise appropriate solutions to customer application issues.
• Follow up on RFQ’s to obtain orders or obtain reason for loss.
• Update customer contact information on Plascore’s contact management system.
• Manage samples in sample room.
• Coordinate trade shows as assigned.
• Update measures on sales performance and analyze trends.
• Deep understanding of product specifications, functionality, and technical aspects to effectively answer customer questions and address concerns.
• Building relationships with potential and existing clients, identifying their needs, and tailoring product solutions to fit those needs.
• Presenting product features and benefits through demonstrations, presentations, and technical discussions.
• Collaborating with the sales team by providing technical information, supporting sales pitches, and participating in customer meetings.
• Preparing detailed proposals and quotes that accurately reflect customer requirements and pricing.
• Advising customers on system design, integration, and potential applications of the product.
• Staying updated on industry trends, competitor offerings, and emerging technologies to identify new business opportunities.
• Providing technical training to customers on product usage and troubleshooting.
• Identifying and resolving technical issues that may arise during the sales process or post-sale implementation.
• A Sales Engineer 1 will focus on understanding the basic features and benefits of the product.
• Sales Engineer 1 might handle simpler sales cycles with less technical involvement.
• Sales Engineer 1 may primarily provide product demonstrations and basic technical support.
• Participate in improving our product, processes, equipment, and methods.
• Handle internal and external questions in a prompt, professional manner.
• Maintain a clean and safe work environment at all times.
• Continually look for ways to improve job efficiency and performance.
• Perform all reasonably related duties as assigned.

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Strong technical background in relevant engineering disciplines
• Excellent communication and presentation skills to explain complex technical concepts clearly
• Ability to build relationships and rapport with customers
• Sales acumen, including lead generation, negotiation, and closing deals
• Analytical skills to assess customer needs and identify appropriate solutions
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a sales team
• Works closely with more senior staff. Works on projects of varying complexity.
• Helps plan projects or subtasks. Limited planning required outside immediate or assigned task.
• Contributes to milestones.
• Knows and applies basic concepts and techniques of the profession.
• Works under close supervision.
• Works within well-established practices and clearly defined scope of work.
• Work reviewed frequently.
• Initiative demonstrated moderate problem solving within assigned tasks.
• Able to communicate clearly in writing (e.g. email, memos, explanations, drawings) and explain work to his/her supervisor and others in the group. Can work effectively with peers.
• Assists with new product development and market research initiatives.

Qualifications

• One to two years progressively more responsible experience.
• A professional level of knowledge in a specialized field equivalent to that ordinarily acquired by completing a four‑year baccalaureate program.

Additional Requirements

• Must be eligible to work on programs subject to ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulations).

Benefits

Plascore is an established global manufacturer of honeycomb core, composite structures, and cleanrooms. Plascore's lightweight, industrial strength, honeycomb technology is utilized for a multitude of applications within the aerospace, automotive and marine industries. Plascore is an employee driven organization, fueled by professional teams with dedicated years of service to manufacturing.

Plascore Benefits

Bonus Programs

• $1,200 Employee Referral Bonus - Paid in monthly increments.
• Quarterly Bonus- based on business unit metrics

Health Benefits

• Health Insurance (Medical, Dental, Vision) with Flex Spending or Health Savings Accounts
• Free high-deductible health plan for employee only coverage.

New Hires are eligible for health insurance benefits on day one!

• Company provided short-term and long-term disability coverage
• Employee Assistance Program- including legal & professional counseling services

Paid Time Off

• Paid and unpaid vacation totaling 6 weeks (years of service determines paid portion)
• 8-week paid sabbatical for every 10 years of service
• Paid Holidays
• Parental Leave

401(K) & Roth 401(K)

• 50% match up to 6% for all participating employees.

Educational Support

• Tuition Reimbursement for job-related and certificate programs
• Dependent scholarship to cover up to 100% of tuition cost for child dependents
• Use of training grants like GoingPro to allow for professional development

Childcare

• Flex Spending Account for childcare
• Tri-Share childcare program (2/3 of childcare costs covered)

Company Events

• Annual company picnic
• Annual golf outing
• Annual holiday party

Other Perks

• White-Caps baseball ticket raffles
• Discounts available at: MVP Athletic Club, Stellantis, Bedslide, Enterprise rentals, RX Optical
• Clean work environment
• Smooth pace of work
• Family owned and operated.
• Security of work for an established, growing company that serves a diverse customer base.
• Bi-Weekly Pay

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), it is the policy of Plascore to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact the Talent Acquisition team at [e-mail].

Plascore is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, genetic information, veteran status, disability or other legally protected characteristic.