Technical Sales Engineer – Steam & Hydronics
Chicago, IL (Bolingbrook office / field-based Chicagoland) | HVAC – Steam & Hydronics / Manufacturers' Rep | Monday–Friday | Day Shift
Compensation: $70,000 – $110,000 base + uncapped commission
Employment: Full-Time / Direct Hire
About the Opportunity
A well-established manufacturers' rep firm with 70+ years in steam and hydronic heating is building out its Chicago market presence and needs its first senior technical hire. The company operates a large stocking warehouse in the western suburbs, carries 30+ manufacturer lines, and has the infrastructure — same-day parts capability, AI-assisted quoting tools, and hands-on leadership support — to compete and win. This is a greenfield role with a direct path to running the Chicago office.
What You'll Do
- Serve as the technical lead for the Chicago market — the go-to resource when a steam, hydronic, or boiler-room application gets complicated
- Work with consulting engineers to get the company's manufacturer lines specified on new construction and retrofit projects
- Support mechanical contractors from bid through submittal, installation, and service calls
- Walk job sites and meet customers in the field — mechanical rooms, contractor offices, engineering firms
- Run lunch-and-learns and technical presentations to close customer knowledge gaps and build the brand
- Partner with local distributors to drive shared account growth and move product
- Quote parts and equipment packages — from same-day replacement parts to multi-month capital projects — using AI-assisted quoting tools
- Build lasting customer relationships through shared experiences and consistent follow-through
- Help recruit, onboard, and mentor Chicago team members as the office grows, with a defined path to leading it
What You'll Need
- 5+ years in commercial HVAC or mechanical systems — contractor, rep firm, engineering firm, or service company
- Hands-on knowledge of boiler rooms: boilers, steam traps, steam specialties, pumps, valves, condensate and boiler-feed systems, and venting
- Credibility with consulting engineers who specify and mechanical contractors who buy and install
- Demonstrated track record of building customer relationships and closing business
- Comfort with a compensation structure that transitions from base plus commission toward a higher-commission model as your book grows
- Valid driver's license and willingness to travel daily across the Chicagoland market
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related technical field preferred
- Existing Chicago-area relationships with engineering firms, mechanical contractors, or distributors preferred
- Prior experience mentoring, managing, or leading a team is a plus
Why This Role
You are stepping into a market that already has momentum, backed by a company with seven decades of manufacturer relationships and the infrastructure to support you from day one — with uncapped earnings tied directly to what you generate and a clear path to running the Chicago office.