Technical sales engineer
Job description
Technical sales engineers provide clients with sales advice and support. They work on behalf of a range of industries including manufacturing, utilities and biomedical, providing technical knowledge to identify new business, negotiate contracts and review sales performance.
The role of technical sales engineers essentially involves translating and explaining highly complex technical information to customers and clients, focusing on revealing how a product or piece of equipment can solve specific problems. They therefore play an important role in the modern sales process. Technology has advanced in leaps and bounds in recent years, and continues to alter the ways we communicate and do business. But not everyone has the time or know-how to keep up with these advancements. The technical sales engineer is the person who stays abreast of the latest developments and breakthroughs, and who can pass this vital knowledge on to others.
Sometimes called systems engineers, pre-sales support, or field consultants, technical sales engineers act as the sales team's technical encyclopaedia during the sale of goods and services. They represent the technical aspects of the product and propose how these aspects can benefit the customer. Sales engineers must have a strong technical understanding of the complexities of what their company supplies together with excellent sales skills.
Sales engineers deal directly with production engineers, maintenance engineers, and plant managers.
Work activities
- Advising customers on how best to use the products or services provided.
- Collaborating with the design, production, engineering, or research and development departments of the company to determine how products and services could be made or modified to suit the needs of the customer.
- Selling and consulting on technologically and scientifically advanced products.
- Using technical skills to demonstrate to potential customers the usefulness of the product or service and how it may suit the customer better than competing products.
Work conditions
Travel: sales engineers can spend 20-70% of their time traveling.
Working hours: a highly flexible work schedule.
Location: throughout the country.
Entry requirements and training
Open to graduates of mainly technical disciplines.
Postgraduate study
A pre-entry postgraduate qualification is not a requirement.
Specific entry requirements
Strong industrial or engineering sales background may be expected.
Training
Training programmes are normally offered in-house in order to fully support and develop the skills.
Tips for applications
Own transport might be an advantage for some positions