Sales Engineer

Job Title: New Equipment and Modernizations Sales Operations Engineer

Job Description

The New Equipment and Modernizations Sales Operations Engineer plays a key role in bridging technical engineering expertise with customer-facing sales activities. This position receives requests for proposals from sales channels, determines the appropriate machine solution, develops detailed cost and pricing worksheets, and prepares professional proposals. Once an order is received, the Sales Operations Engineer prepares the order documentation, leads the order handoff meeting, and ensures a smooth transition to project management. This role is ideal for an engineer with in design or manufacturing who wants to move into a more customer-facing, sales-focused environment within a custom machinery manufacturing setting.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical expertise and support to Area Sales Managers and customers for new equipment and modernization projects.
• Identify project risks and communicate them clearly to internal stakeholders and sales teams.
• Configure machines to be quoted based on the RFQ checklist submitted by the sales team or customer.
• Assist Area Sales Managers with understanding machine capabilities and providing ballpark pricing for project screening.
• Meet with Engineering to determine concepts and cost estimates for custom machine content.
• Prepare detailed Cost/Pricing Worksheets and secure alignment and approval from Engineering and Manufacturing for cost estimates.
• Conduct preliminary reviews of customer specifications to determine appropriate internal stakeholders and required reviews.
• Coordinate the review of customer specifications with Engineering and ensure feedback is integrated into proposals.
• Prepare and submit Firm Proposal Approval forms as needed for firm proposals.
• Prepare both budgetary and firm proposals that clearly describe the technical solution, scope, and pricing.
• Maintain accurate and current information in the CRM system for all assigned opportunities.
• Update and keep current all cost worksheet templates and proposal templates for assigned machine lines.
• Prepare Order Cards when purchase orders are received for machines they proposed and ensure all details are accurate and complete.
• Conduct Order Card meetings and manage the formal handoff of orders to Project Management.
• Prepare Order Acknowledgement Letters for orders they proposed and ensure customers receive clear confirmation.
• Drive shorter proposal response times from RFQ receipt to proposal submission by improving processes and coordination.
• Drive shorter timeframes from customer purchase order receipt to Order Card meetings and handoff to Project Management.
• Travel to customer locations as needed to support sales efforts, conduct technical discussions, and review equipment in customer environments (approximately 10% travel annually).
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including Engineering, Manufacturing, and Project Management, to ensure feasibility, accuracy, and profitability of proposals.
• Perform other related duties as assigned to support sales operations, customer satisfaction, and continuous improvement.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline, or equivalent combined experience with an emphasis on technical selling.
• Technical knowledge of packaging equipment, capital equipment, or a closely related industry.
• Experience working directly with customers in a technical or sales support capacity.
• Strong communication skills, including active listening, organized presentation, and effective technical writing.
• Experience with technical writing related to proposals, specifications, or technical documentation.
• in sales engineering, design engineering, or packaging equipment applications.
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints and engineering drawings.
• Strong customer service, leadership, and sales support skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, Outlook, MS Project, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to effectively utilize CRM tools such as Microsoft Dynamics.
• Familiarity with cost estimating for machinery or capital equipment projects.
• Understanding of commercial terms and the ability to negotiate and resolve commercial issues with customers.
• Experience with tools or systems such as AutoCAD and SAP in an engineering or sales environment.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate technical concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in design or manufacturing engineering and a desire to move into a more customer-facing, sales-oriented role.
• Technical knowledge of packaging equipment or related machinery used in industries such as food and beverage, consumer products, or industrial applications.
• Experience supporting or selling custom machine applications or capital equipment solutions.
• Ability to present and communicate new equipment and modernization offerings with technical confidence.
• Ability to work effectively as a member of a cross-functional team and contribute to shared goals.
• Ability to build credibility with customers by reviewing equipment, understanding their processes, and advising them in their operating environment.
• Demonstrated success in meeting or exceeding aggressive sales development targets and strategies.
• Strong interpersonal skills with a persuasive and professional approach in customer and internal interactions.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally as required to support sales and customer engagements (approximately 10% travel expected).

Work Environment

This is a fully on-site position based at a manufacturing and engineering facility in Northern Kentucky. The environment centers around the design, configuration, and production of custom machine applications and packaging equipment for a variety of major clients. The role involves close collaboration with Engineering, Manufacturing, Project Management, and Sales teams, and frequent use of tools such as Microsoft Office, Microsoft Dynamics CRM, AutoCAD, and SAP. Work is typically performed during standard business hours, with occasional travel to customer sites for meetings, technical reviews, and sales support. The setting is professional and engineering-focused, with regular interaction between office and production areas and an emphasis on teamwork, technical excellence, and responsive customer service

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Covington, KY.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $48.00 - $48.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Covington,KY.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 9, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.