Sales Engineer

About the Role

Our client is seeking an Inside Sales Engineer to support sales growth and expand market presence for its sluice gates and flow-control solutions. This position is ideal for an entry-level or developing technical sales professional interested in combining engineering knowledge, customer relationships, and consultative selling. The role supports municipal water and wastewater projects from initial specification through project close. The ideal candidate is customer-focused, technically proficient, and able to translate engineering requirements into effective product solutions. The successful candidate will receive structured training, mentoring, and customer-facing exposure to develop technical, commercial, product, and relationship-management skills.

Key Responsibilities

Sales & Business Development

• Support revenue growth through proactive outreach, relationship development, and strategic project pursuit.
• Promote sluice gates and flow-control products to consulting engineers, contractors, manufacturer representatives, municipalities, and other industry stakeholders.
• Develop and maintain relationships with customers, prospects, and end users.
• Identify business opportunities and track projects from specification through bidding, award, and project close.
• Support the sales cycle, including lead generation, project tracking, bid follow-up, contract negotiation, and deal closure.
• Conduct product presentations and provide technical information to customers.
• Represent the brand at trade shows, conferences, industry events, and customer meetings.

Technical & Application Support

• Provide technical expertise and application-specific solutions that meet project specifications, standards, and performance requirements.
• Read and interpret engineering drawings, specifications, plans, and bid documents.
• Develop product knowledge of sluice gates, flow-control applications, design principles, and applicable industry standards.
• Support project specifications using knowledge of AWWA standards and gate design principles.
• Identify appropriate product solutions for customer requirements.
• Collaborate with Engineering and Estimating to develop accurate, competitive proposals.
• Apply engineering principles to identify application issues and recommend solutions.

Project & Sales Administration

• Maintain accurate project and opportunity records in CRM systems.
• Prepare sales forecasts, pipeline reports, project updates, and performance reports.
• Coordinate with Engineering, Estimating, Project Management, and other departments for effective project handoffs.
• Monitor project status, bid schedules, customer requirements, and competitive activity.
• Maintain organized records of customer interactions, specifications, bids, opportunities, and follow-ups.

Training & Professional Development

• Participate in structured training and mentoring in product knowledge, technical applications, sales processes, industry standards, and customer relationship management.
• Work alongside experienced Sales Engineers to gain exposure to customer meetings, site visits, product presentations, trade shows, and project management.
• Gradually assume responsibility for customer communication, project pursuit, product recommendations, and sales opportunities.
• Develop the technical and commercial skills necessary to independently manage customer relationships and sales opportunities.
• Demonstrate measurable progress in product knowledge, customer engagement, and sales performance.

Requirements & Tech Stack

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (preferably Mechanical, Civil, or a related discipline) or equivalent technical education and experience.
• Strong engineering fundamentals and ability to learn product applications, industry standards, and sales processes.
• Familiarity with AutoCAD and/or SolidWorks preferred.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and technical documentation.
• Strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Initiative, curiosity, professionalism, and willingness to develop customer-facing sales skills.
• Ability to collaborate with Engineering, Estimating, Project Management, and Sales.
• Familiarity with CRM systems and Microsoft Office preferred.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience selling engineered products, capital equipment, or industrial products.
• Experience with municipal water and wastewater projects.
• Experience working with municipalities, consulting engineers, contractors, EPC firms, or manufacturer representatives.
• Knowledge of AWWA standards and/or water-control structures.
• Experience with sluice gates, valves, flow-control equipment, or related products.
• Background in technical sales, engineering, estimating, project management, or manufacturing.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects and priorities.
• Customer relationship development skills.

Core Competencies

Successful candidates will demonstrate:

• Technical Aptitude: Translate engineering concepts and customer requirements into practical product solutions.
• Customer Focus: Build credibility, understand customer needs, and develop long-term relationships.
• Communication: Explain technical and commercial information to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Business Development: Identify opportunities, generate interest, and contribute to revenue growth.
• Problem Solving: Analyze project requirements and develop effective solutions.
• Organization: Manage projects, deadlines, opportunities, and customer requirements.
• Initiative: Take ownership, pursue results, and demonstrate a willingness to learn.
• Collaboration: Work effectively across Sales, Engineering, Estimating, and Project Management.
• Adaptability: Develop new skills and assume increasing responsibility.

Professional Development

This position offers a structured opportunity to develop a long-term career in technical sales. Through hands-on training, mentoring, and collaboration with experienced Sales Engineers and internal teams, the successful candidate will build proficiency in product applications, AWWA standards, technical proposals, customer relationship management, project pursuit, sales forecasting, and presentations. As experience and performance grow, the candidate will assume increasing responsibility for customer relationships, project development, product recommendations, and sales opportunities.

Work Environment

This is primarily an office-based position in Houston, TX, with selected customer visits, site visits, trade shows, and industry events as part of the role's training and customer-engagement responsibilities. We seek candidates with a strong technical foundation, customer orientation, and the potential to build a long-term career in technical sales.