Application Engineer

Sulzer is a leading engineering company with a proud heritage of innovation. Join our global team to grow your expertise and develop innovative solutions that enable a prosperous and more sustainable society.

About the role

The Applications Engineer is responsible for evaluating customer requirements and developing technical and commercial proposals for industrial equipment solutions. This role serves as a critical link between customers, sales teams, and internal engineering/manufacturing to ensure accurate, timely, and competitive responses to inquiries.

This position operates in a fast-paced, high-volume environment supporting distributors, OEMs, EPCs, and end users across a wide range of applications. Applications include Pulp and Paper, Biofuels, Foods, Chemical processing, Mining / Metals, Industrial wastewater, and Auxiliary equipment in other segments as needed.

The Applications Group is a dynamic organization with both junior and senior engineers who possess a wide range of experience and competencies. This is a great opportunity to contribute to a growing company and offers great mentorship opportunities to enhance professional development.

This role is designed as a foundational position with clear visibility into commercial strategy and customer engagement, offering a defined pathway into Accounts Management and outside sales roles.

This role is based out of our Easley, SC office.

Key Responsibilities:

Proposal & Technical Evaluation

• Review customer RFQs, specifications, and datasheets to determine appropriate product selection
• Perform pumping equipment sizing, selection, and configuration
• Generate detailed quotations including scope, pricing, and lead time

Customer & Sales Support

• Serve as a technical resource for internal sales teams and external customers
• Support distribution network with product selection, troubleshooting, and application guidance
• Participate in distributor and customer calls, visits, and training as needed
• Support sales efforts by contributing to technical sales strategy, participating in customer discussions, and developing an understanding of commercial drivers behind winning opportunities

Cross-Functional Coordination

• Work closely with the Project Management team to define documentation packages, testing requirements, and customer deliverables early in the quotation phase to ensure accurate scope, compliance, and execution readiness.
• Collaborate with manufacturing, engineering, and supply chain to confirm feasibility, lead times, and cost
• Work with global teams when required to support international or specialized opportunities
• Ensure alignment between customer expectations and internal capabilities

Quote and Opportunity Management

• Manage multiple RFQs simultaneously in a high-volume environment
• Maintain accurate records of opportunities, quotes, and communications in Salesforce (CRM system)

Continuous Improvement & Team Support

• Identify opportunities to improve quoting efficiency, accuracy, and standardization
• Support development of tools, templates, and documentation
• Assist in training new team members and sharing application knowledge

Secondary Responsibilities:

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• None

Qualifications:

• Required

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, or related field.

• 0-5 years of related engineering experience (industrial, process, applications, pumps & hydraulics preferred)

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

• Ability to manage multiple priorities under tight deadlines

• Excellent communication skills (both written and verbal)

• Willingness to travel as needed

• Preferred

• Experience with pumps, fluid systems, or rotating equipment

• Exposure to reading specifications and technical drawings

• Familiarity with CRM systems (Salesforce) and/or ERP systems (SAP)

• Experience working with distributors or in a customer-facing role

Key Traits for Success:

• Comfort with ambiguity: Not every RFQ is clean. Must be able to fill in gaps and make sound assumptions
• Ownership mentality: Takes responsibility for quotes from start to finish
• Bias for action: Ability to move quickly without sacrificing accuracy
• Communication under pressure: Handles demanding customers and urgent timelines professionally
• Desire for growth into sales: Motivated to develop customer-facing and revenue-driving skills over time
• Commercial mindset: Interest in understanding not just what to quote, but how to win the business
• Team-oriented: Willing to collaborate and support others in a shared workload environment

What we offer you

• Competitive Paid Time Off
• 12 Company Paid Holidays per year
• Annual Bonus Program
• Full Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits
• Company Paid Short Term and Long Term Disability, Company Paid Life Insurance
• 6% 401K or Roth Company Match with Immediate Vesting
• Company Paid Retirement Security Contributions following 1 year of employment
• Tuition Reimbursement/Educational Assistance
• Quarterly Gym Reimbursement

Sulzer is an equal opportunity employer. We believe in the strength of a diverse workforce and are committed to offering an inclusive work environment.

We are proud to be recognized as a Top Employer 2026 in Brazil, Canada, China, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Mexico, Switzerland, South Africa, the UK and the USA.