Technical Applications Manager / Technical Sales Engineer – Metals

ManpowerGroup; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vehicle allowance

Mileage reimbursement

401(k) with company match

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

ManpowerGroup in Milwaukee seeks a Technical Sales Engineer to support customers, manufacturers' representatives, and sales efforts across North America within the metals industry. The role emphasizes hands-on learning in manufacturing facilities and direct customer interaction, not a traditional sales management path.

You will evaluate applications, troubleshoot issues, and help customers improve performance while working with engineering, operations, and sales teams. Travel ~50% is expected.

Qualifications

• Must have a background in technical sales, applications engineering, manufacturing engineering, industrial equipment, automation or related field.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and ability to diagnose complex manufacturing issues.
• Experience working directly with customers in industrial environments is preferred.

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 help resolve customer challenges.
• Collaborate with engineering and operations on customer projects.
• Participate in customer visits, plant tours and product evaluations.
• Identify and pursue new business opportunities through technical engagement.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to customers facing manufacturing challenges.
• Build technical expertise and act as a subject matter resource in the industry.

Skills

Technical sales

Applications engineering

Manufacturing engineering

Industrial equipment

Automation

Problem solving

Job description

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

About

About ManpowerGroup, Parent Company of Manpower Engineering

ManpowerGroup® (NYSE: MAN), the leading global workforce solutions company, helps organizations transform in a fast-changing world of work by sourcing, assessing, developing, and managing the talent that enables them to win. We develop innovative solutions for hundreds of thousands of organizations every year, providing them with skilled talent while finding meaningful, sustainable employment for millions of people across a wide range of industries and skills. Our expert family of brands – Manpower Engineering, Experis, Talent Solutions – creates substantial value for candidates and clients across more than 75 countries and territories and has done so for over 70 years. We are recognized consistently for our diversity - as a best place to work for Women, Inclusion, Equality and Disability and in 2026 ManpowerGroup was named one of the World's Most Ethical Companies for the 17th year - all confirming our position as the brand of choice for in-demand talent.