Mechanical Sales Engineer

About the Role: Application Sales Engineer

The Application Engineer produces high-quality proposals and technical solutions by listening carefully to customer requirements and selecting innovative control and valve automation solutions that align with customer and principal standards. This role focuses on growing the valve automation business by positioning the company as a total valve supplier and by supporting new product initiatives through a strong understanding of customer needs and emerging technologies. The Sales Engineer provides hands-on technical support, ensures smooth order execution, and maintains strong relationships with customers and internal teams to achieve sales targets and deliver exceptional customer satisfaction.

Responsibilities

• Produce and present detailed proposals for customer solutions by thoroughly understanding customer requirements and selecting appropriate control and valve automation solutions that comply with customer and principal standards and practices.
• Grow the valve automation business within the assigned coverage area by promoting the company’s capabilities as a total valve supplier for ball valves, butterfly valves, valve automation, and related solutions.
• Participate in product and technical training to build and maintain a strong knowledge base of all product lines represented by the company, and use this knowledge to develop and price valve automation solutions accurately and efficiently.
• Demonstrate a high level of competency in valve automation solutions to meet performance expectations and deliver complete solutions to customers in a timely manner.
• Support annual new product initiatives by actively participating in new product launches, identifying customer pain points, and matching new technologies and solutions to customer needs.
• Provide technical support and services to customers, including assisting with equipment start-up, checkout, and calibration, and resolving product or service issues in accordance with principal standards and internal procedures.
• Take ownership of customer orders, returns, credits, and invoicing issues, ensuring all matters are followed through to satisfactory resolution in alignment with customer-focused principles.
• Support on-time delivery by assessing customer needs, coordinating with factories and suppliers to confirm capabilities, and negotiating mutually agreeable due dates with customers.
• Assist in expediting products and services with suppliers and principals when necessary to meet or exceed customer expectations and ensure total customer satisfaction.
• Identify new sales opportunities by maintaining accurate and up-to-date customer information in the IFS system and by qualifying new opportunities within existing and prospective accounts.
• Collaborate closely with Account Managers to support their plans and strategies for account growth, penetration, and long-term customer relationships.
• Actively participate in the company’s quality management system by embracing the quality policy, working to reduce and prevent quality deficiencies, and initiating appropriate actions to prevent nonconformities in products, services, processes, and systems.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives by participating in Corrective and Preventive Action Requests, Quality Circles or Teams, and cross-departmental improvement projects.
• Engage in the company’s safety and health program by understanding and following safety policies and procedures, reporting observed safety or health issues, and implementing recommended improvements.
• Maintain and develop professional and technical competence by attending factory or principal-based training sessions, web-based courses, hands-on training, departmental meetings, and professional development workshops or classes.
• Monitor and report market conditions by providing timely updates on key customer activities, competitor actions, and trends within the territory to supervisors and relevant personnel.
• Communicate effectively across multiple internal groups and departments as well as with clients to ensure alignment, clarity, and consistent service delivery.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, specifically in Mechanical, Industrial, or Chemical Engineering.
• 0 to 3 years of relevant work experience in engineering, sales, application support, or related fields.
• Mechanical engineering knowledge with the ability to understand and apply concepts in valve automation and control solutions.
• Industrial engineering or design experience or exposure sufficient to interpret specifications and support OEM-oriented projects.
• Proven experience in customer-facing roles, demonstrating comfort and effectiveness in engaging with customers and audiences.
• Strong competitive spirit with a self-motivated, goal-oriented mindset and a drive to exceed targets and deliver business growth.
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to explain technical concepts clearly to diverse audiences and build strong relationships.
• Ability to listen carefully to customer requirements, identify needs and pain points, and translate them into effective technical and commercial solutions.
• Capability to work with internal systems such as IFS or similar tools to maintain accurate customer data and support sales and service processes.
• Willingness to participate in ongoing training and professional development to maintain and enhance technical and product knowledge.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in technical sales, application engineering, or solution selling is beneficial but not strictly required.
• Familiarity with valve automation, ball valves, butterfly valves, and control solutions is a strong plus.
• Experience working with OEM-oriented projects and performing specification review is advantageous.
• Comfort working within a quality management system, including participation in corrective and preventive actions and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Interest in safety and health programs and a proactive approach to maintaining a safe work environment.
• Ability to collaborate effectively in a small team environment and support shared sales and growth objectives.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple customer requests, proposals, and follow-up activities simultaneously.
• Enthusiasm for working in a growing company with significant sales targets and opportunities for advancement.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Albany, NY.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $75000.00 - $100000.00/yr.

Benefits: Competitive Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance, Flexible Spending or Health Savings Accounts, Unlimited Vacation Time Policy, 10 Paid Holidays, 12 Paid Weeks Maternity Leave, Retirement Savings: 401(k) and Employee Stock Ownership Plan, Pet Insurance, Employee Referral Bonus, Tuition Reimbursement, Company Paid STD, LTD, and Life Insurance, First Aid/AED/CPR Classes.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Albany, NY.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Jun 26, 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.

Key skills/competency

• Application Sales Engineer
• Valve Automation
• Control Solutions
• Technical Proposals
• Customer Requirements
• Sales Growth
• Mechanical Engineering
• Industrial Engineering
• Technical Support
• Customer Satisfaction