Technical Applications Manager / Technical Sales Engineer – Metals

manpowe; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vehicle allowance

Mileage reimbursement

Annual bonus opportunity

401(k) with company match

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

manpowe in Milwaukee, WI, is seeking a Technical Applications Manager / Technical Sales Engineer for the metals sector. You will support customers across North America, evaluate applications, troubleshoot issues, and help customers improve performance in manufacturing environments.

This highly field-focused role offers significant autonomy, collaboration with engineering and operations, and travel about 50%.

Qualifications

• Background in technical sales, applications engineering, or related field.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and problem solving.
• Experience communicating with customers in industrial settings.
• Curiosity and initiative to learn.

Responsibilities

• Support customers and manufacturers' representatives across North America.
• Evaluate manufacturing applications and recommend solutions.
• Troubleshoot technical and product-performance issues.
• Conduct root-cause analysis and resolve customer challenges.
• Collaborate with engineering and operations teams on projects.
• Participate in customer visits, plant tours, and product evaluations.
• Identify and develop new business opportunities through technical engagement.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to customers facing manufacturing challenges.
• Build technical expertise and become a SME within the industry.

Skills

Technical sales

Problem solving

Customer interaction

Independent work

Communication

Willingness to travel

Job description

Technical Applications Manager / Technical Sales Engineer – Metals

Are you the type of person who wants to understand how things work, solve customer problems, and spend time in real manufacturing environments instead of sitting behind a desk all day?

We're partnering with a growing industrial manufacturer to identify a Technical Sales Engineer who will support customers, manufacturers' representatives, and sales efforts throughout the metals industry across North America.

This isn't a traditional sales management role.

Instead, we're looking for someone who enjoys learning manufacturing processes, working directly with customers, supporting business development efforts, and serving as a technical resource when complex challenges arise.

You’ll work closely with manufacturers, operations teams, engineers, and sales representatives to evaluate applications, troubleshoot problems, recommend solutions, and help customers improve performance.

The ideal candidate is naturally curious, enjoys understanding how things work, and gets energized by helping customers solve complex manufacturing challenges.

Why This Opportunity Stands Out:

Be the Technical Expert

Customers aren't just looking for quotes. They're looking for answers. This role plays a key part in helping customers solve real manufacturing and production challenges.

See the Application Firsthand

You’ll spend time inside manufacturing facilities, processing operations, and customer sites learning how products are used and identifying opportunities for improvement.

Work Independently

This is a highly visible role with significant autonomy and direct interaction with customers, sales representatives, engineering, operations, and leadership.

Join a Growing Market

The organization is investing heavily in its metals business and sees significant long‑term growth opportunities within the market.

What You’ll Do:

• Support customers and manufacturers' representatives throughout North America
• Evaluate manufacturing applications and recommend solutions
• Troubleshoot technical and product-performance issues
• Conduct root-cause analysis and help resolve customer challenges
• Partner with engineering and operations teams on customer projects
• Participate in customer visits, plant tours, and product evaluations
• Help identify and develop new business opportunities through technical engagement
• Serve as a trusted advisor to customers facing manufacturing and application challenges
• Build technical expertise and become a subject matter resource within the industry

What We're Looking For:

• Background in technical sales, applications engineering, manufacturing engineering, industrial equipment, automation, or a related field
• Strong mechanical aptitude and problem-solving ability
• Experience working directly with customers in an industrial environment
• Curiosity, initiative, and a desire to learn
• Ability to communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical audiences
• Ability to work independently and take ownership of opportunities
• Willingness to travel

Experience Could Come From:

• Applications Engineering
• Manufacturing Engineering
• Sales Engineering
• Industrial Equipment
• Automation & Motion Control
• Process Engineering
• Capital Equipment
• Industrial Machinery
• Technical Support Engineering

Not Interested in Sitting Behind a Desk All Day?

This role offers the opportunity to get out into customer facilities, steel mills, processing plants, and manufacturing operations throughout North America. You’ll spend time learning applications firsthand, supporting customer projects, solving problems, and working directly alongside manufacturers' representatives in the field. Travel is approximately 50%.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive base salary
• Commission opportunity
• Annual bonus opportunity
• Vehicle allowance
• Mileage reimbursement
• 401(k) with company match
• Comprehensive benefits package

Interested?

You do not need direct metals industry experience to be successful.

What matters most is a strong technical foundation, manufacturing aptitude, customer-facing experience, and a genuine desire to solve problems.

All inquiries and resumes will be handled with strict confidentiality. No information will be shared with our client without your prior approval.

* Please note all resumes and candidate information submitted are kept in the strictest confidence. No resume will be released without the candidate's prior permission.