Lead Solutions Specialist - Industrial Controls and Automation

Lead Solutions Specialist - Industrial Controls and Automation

Position: Automation Application Engineer-OEM Location: Houston TX

About Crawford: If you are looking for a company who is committed to building a relationship with you, who encourages having fun at work, who is powered by difference, and who is passionate about your future, it's time to apply at Crawford Electric Supply. Known in the electrical distribution industry for being a great place to work and build a career, Crawford prides itself on being a business partner rather than just an electrical supplier to its customers. Everyday Crawford associates provide the best customer experience while at the same time offering the widest variety of electrical products on the market. For the past 30 years, Crawford has built a culture of growth, opportunity, innovative thinking, and stability for its employees by truly living up to the company motto of, "Whatever it Takes!" through our mindset competencies below: Adapt: Effectively embrace new situation and people Dare: Appropriately challenge the status quo Learn: Learn from others, from mistakes, and self-improve

Responsibilities

Position Summary The Automation Application Engineer serves as the primary technical authority supporting industrial automation solutions for End Users and OEM customers. This role partners closely with Automation Sales Specialists and Account Managers by providing application expertise, solution design, and technical guidance throughout the pre‑sales and post‑sales lifecycle. The Automation Application Engineer ensures recommended solutions are technically sound, scalable, and aligned with customer performance objectives.

• Technical Pre ‑ Sales & Solution Support: Provide technical expertise to support automation sales opportunities by developing system architectures, validating applications, and partnering with Automation Sales Specialists to deliver technically sound solutions.
• Solution Design & Application Engineering: Design and recommend industrial automation solutions—including PLCs, HMIs, and industrial networking—that meet customer performance, reliability, and scalability requirements.
• Customer Consultation & Technical Support: Engage with End Users and OEMs to assess applications, provide technical guidance, support troubleshooting and escalations, and ensure successful adoption of recommended solutions.
• Project & Partner Coordination: Coordinate with manufacturers, system integrators, and internal teams to support implementation, commissioning, and alignment between customer requirements and delivered solutions.
• Training & Enablement: Deliver technical training, product demonstrations, and application workshops for customers and internal stakeholders to drive solution understanding and adoption.
• Technical & Market Awareness: Stay current on automation technologies, industry trends, and competitive platforms, and provide technical insights to support solution positioning and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, Controls Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent relevant experience) Experience: 5–10 years of experience in industrial automation application engineering, controls engineering, or technical pre‑sales supporting End Users, OEMs, and/or system integrators. Technical Skills: Hands‑on knowledge of PLCs, HMIs, VFDs, motion control, industrial safety, and industrial communication protocols (EtherNet/IP, Profinet, Modbus, etc.). Familiarity with major automation platforms such as Schneider Electric, Rockwell Automation, and Siemens. Professional Skills: Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to explain complex technical concepts to diverse audiences. Effective time and priority management across multiple opportunities and projects