Sales Application Engineer

Sales Applications Engineer

Position Summary

The Applications Engineer serves as the primary technical liaison between customers, sales, engineering, manufacturing, product management, and external partners. This role is responsible for evaluating customer requirements, developing engineered solutions, selecting and specifying equipment, preparing technical proposals and quotations, and providing application expertise throughout the sales and project lifecycle.

Working closely with sales teams, representatives, customers, and engineering partners, the Applications Engineer acts as a trusted advisor in developing material handling, feeding, weighing, process, and automation solutions that meet customer specifications and business objectives. The role supports revenue growth, customer satisfaction, successful project execution, and continuous improvement through technical leadership and application expertise.

Key Responsibilities

Application Engineering & Solution Development

• Evaluate customer processes, specifications, and operational requirements to develop technically sound and commercially viable solutions.
• Select, specify, configure, and cost company and third-party equipment required to satisfy project requirements.
• Develop material handling, feeding, weighing, and process system solutions based on customer needs.
• Review customer specifications, drawings, and process requirements to determine optimal equipment configurations.
• Ensure proposed solutions align with company capabilities, business objectives, and customer expectations.
• Participate in material testing programs and assist in validating proposed solutions.
• Support customer qualification, validation, and commercialization activities.

Technical Sales Support

• Serve as the technical advisor to internal sales teams, representatives, distributors, engineering contractors, and customers.
• Provide technical support throughout the sales process from initial inquiry through project award.
• Assist Regional Sales Managers and sales representatives with customer presentations, application discussions, and proposal reviews.
• Support achievement of bookings, revenue, and profitability objectives.
• Ensure the accuracy of equipment quotations, pricing, and system configurations.
• Assist in developing and maintaining sales reports, metrics, and business statistics.
• Help identify new business opportunities and application areas for existing and new products.

Proposal Development & Project Support

• Prepare and review engineered proposals, quotations, technical documentation, and equipment specifications.
• Develop complete technical solution packages for customer projects.
• Coordinate proposal activities with Engineering, Manufacturing, Purchasing, Customer Service, and external suppliers.
• Track proposal and project activities to ensure timely execution and customer responsiveness.
• Maintain consistency and best practices in application engineering and equipment selection.
• Utilize AutoCAD, AutoCAD LT, Visio, or similar tools for engineering and customer documentation.
• CRM systems (Salesforce, Oracle CRM, or comparable systems)
• Interpret and review:
  • Mechanical drawings
  • Electrical schematics
  • Process diagrams
  • Manufacturing drawings
  • Engineering specifications

Customer Engagement & Technical Expertise

• Serve as a recognized technical expert for assigned products and solutions.
• Maintain strong working relationships with customers, sales representatives, distributors, suppliers, and engineering firms.
• Conduct equipment demonstrations, product evaluations, inspections, and technical reviews.
• Travel to customer sites to:
  • Evaluate applications
  • Support installations
  • Conduct training
  • Review specifications
  • Troubleshoot performance issues
• Present technical solutions to customer management, engineering, operations, and procurement teams.

Training & Knowledge Development

• Develop and deliver technical training programs for customers, sales personnel, representatives, and distributors.
• Participate in customer seminars, sales meetings, trade shows, and technical workshops.
• Create and maintain application guides, technical presentations, and success stories.
• Support ongoing technical competency development across commercial and technical teams.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of products, technologies, markets, and industry trends.

Qualifications

Education

Required

• Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Process Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or related technical field.

Alternative Qualification

• Associate Degree in Engineering Technology or related field with 2-4 years of relevant engineering, applications engineering, technical sales, or capital equipment experience.

Experience

• 2-4+ years of experience in:
  • Applications Engineering
  • Technical Sales
  • Systems Engineering
  • Process Engineering
  • Capital Equipment Sales Support
  • Industrial Equipment Applications
• Experience supporting material handling, bulk solids processing, feeding, weighing, conveying, mixing, automation, or related industrial systems preferred.
• Experience developing engineered proposals and customer solutions.
• Experience working directly with customers and sales organizations.

Travel Requirements

• Travel to customer, supplier, representative, and company locations as required.
• Activities may include:
  • Site assessments
  • Equipment inspections
  • Material testing
  • Installation support
  • Customer training
  • Technical presentations
  • Project reviews
• Typical travel requirement: 10-25%, depending on business and project needs.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Quotation and proposal accuracy
• Customer satisfaction and retention
• Response time to technical inquiries
• New product and application opportunities identified
• Contribution to continuous improvement initiatives

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work in office, manufacturing, laboratory, warehouse, and customer site environments.
• Frequent use of computers and technical software.
• Ability to read technical drawings, specifications, and digital displays.
• Occasional lifting of materials or equipment up to 75 pounds.
• Ability to stand, walk, climb, and access industrial environments safely.
• Use of required personal protective equipment (PPE) including safety glasses, hearing protection, and safety footwear.
• Commitment to maintaining a safe work environment and complying with all applicable environmental, health, and safety requirements.

Who we are:

Coperion (www.coperion.com) is a global industry and technology leader in process technology serving a variety of end markets, including plastics, plastics recycling, food, pet food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, chemical, battery, and mineral industries. Every day, our teams of experts create individual, high-quality process technologies and systems optimized for the best end products, highest efficiency, and sustainability. Coperion is a business unit of Hillenbrand.

Hillenbrand (www.hillenbrand.com) is a global industrial company that provides highly engineered, mission-critical processing equipment and solutions to customers in over 100 countries around the world. Our portfolio is composed of leading industrial brands that serve large, attractive end markets, including durable plastics, food, and recycling. Guided by our Purpose - Shape What Matters For Tomorrow™ - we pursue excellence, collaboration, and innovation to consistently shape solutions that best serve our associates, customers, communities, and other stakeholders.

EEO: The policy of Hillenbrand Inc. is to extend opportunities to qualified applicants and employees on an equal basis regardless of an individual's age, race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression or veteran status. Additionally, Hillenbrand Inc. and our operating companies are committed to being an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer and offers opportunities to all job seekers including individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation to assist with your job search or application for employment, email us at [email protected] . In your email, please include a description of the specific accommodation you are requesting as well as the job title and requisition number of the position for which you are applying. At Hillenbrand, everyone is welcome to apply and "Shape What Matters for Tomorrow".