Job description
Technical Sales Engineer – Advanced Manufacturing
📍 Greater Chicago Area or Remote (Midwest) | Regular Travel (~40–60%)
About our Client
Our client is the U.S. subsidiary of an established international industrial group specializing in advanced joining and materials processing technologies for highly demanding, regulated applications.
The company supports customers in industries such as aerospace, defense, semiconductor, energy, medical technology, automotive & e-mobility, and scientific research, delivering engineered manufacturing solutions where material integrity, repeatability, and process reliability are critical.
Rather than offering commodity manufacturing services, the organization works closely with customers on complex components, challenging materials, and applications where conventional manufacturing processes reach their limits.
As part of a strategic expansion in North America, the company is building a dedicated U.S. commercial presence. This role plays a key part in developing long-term customer partnerships and works in close collaboration with experienced engineering teams and leadership in both the U.S. and Europe.
About the Role
As a Technical Sales Engineer, you will support commercial growth in the U.S. by acting as the technical interface between customers and internal engineering teams.
The role focuses on consultative, engineering-led sales for complex, RFQ-driven manufacturing projects. You will work with customers early in the cycle to discuss design intent, feasibility, materials, and process constraints, and guide opportunities from initial qualification through proposal development and commercial alignment.
This is not a high-volume or transactional sales role. Success is driven by technical credibility, structured opportunity qualification, and the ability to translate customer requirements into feasible, high-quality manufacturing solutions in close coordination with engineering and operations teams.
Regular customer visits, on-site technical discussions, and participation in selected industry events are an integral part of the position.
Key Responsibilities
- Identify, qualify, and develop new business opportunities in advanced contract manufacturing and technical services
- Manage the full sales cycle from initial customer engagement through RFQ coordination, technical clarification, proposal discussions, and contract alignment
- Review customer drawings, specifications, and requirements, and assess technical feasibility in collaboration with internal engineering teams
- Act as the primary technical and commercial point of contact for U.S. customers
- Coordinate closely with engineering, project management, and operations teams in the U.S. and Europe to ensure smooth handover into execution
- Support feasibility reviews, customer site visits, audits, and technical evaluations
- Monitor market developments, customer feedback, and competitive dynamics to support ongoing commercial strategy
- Represent the company in technical customer meetings, workshops, and selected trade shows
What Our Client is Looking For
- Technical or business-related degree (e.g., engineering, industrial technology) or equivalent hands-on manufacturing experience
- Several years of experience in technical sales, application engineering, or customer-facing roles within advanced or contract manufacturing environments
- Strong ability to understand drawings, tolerances, materials, and manufacturability considerations
- Experience supporting longer, multi-step B2B sales cycles in technically complex or regulated industries
- Consultative mindset with the ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly to customers
- Structured, self-driven working style and comfort operating independently within a growing U.S. organization
- Willingness to travel regularly for customer visits and on-site technical discussions
- Comfortable working in an international environment with close collaboration across global teams
Benefits Include:
- Competitive 401(k) plan with company match
- Generous paid time off
- Comprehensive medical and dental coverage (individual & family options)
- Car allowance and travel expense reimbursement
- Company-provided equipment (laptop, mobile phone, company credit card)
