Application Engineer

The Sales Application Engineer serves as a technical-facing sales resource, representing the organization’s engineering and manufacturing capabilities to internal teams and external partners. This role drives growth by partnering with new and existing customers to develop tailored solutions in stator, rotor, motor, and generator manufacturing. The position combines technical expertise, commercial acumen, and customer engagement to support customer acquisition, technical service delivery, and long-term business objectives.

Responsibilities

• Represent the company’s engineering and manufacturing capabilities to internal stakeholders and external customers, acting as a primary technical-facing sales resource.
• Drive growth initiatives within the product portfolio by collaborating with new and existing customers to develop tailored solutions in stator, rotor, motor, and generator manufacturing.
• Expand the customer base and strengthen existing accounts through technical engagement, solution development, and commercial support aligned with long-term business goals.
• Develop pricing models, cost estimates, and commercial proposals that support sustainable growth and profitability, including preparation of detailed cost rollups and margin-aligned quotations.
• Translate customer requirements into clearly defined technical and commercial deliverables, ensuring all quotes and proposals accurately reflect scope, assumptions, tooling, engineering effort, and delivery expectations.
• Prepare sales quotations for standard components that do not require engineering review, as well as detailed statements of work and proposals for engineered or custom products.
• Act as a primary technical liaison with customers, using in-depth knowledge of internal capabilities to recommend solutions that best address customer needs while identifying any technical or capability gaps.
• Provide technical support to business development activities by engaging with prospects early in concept and ideation stages and clearly communicating the organization’s technical differentiators.
• Partner closely with engineering teams to remain current on newly developed processes, technologies, and competencies that can be introduced to customers and prospects.
• Coordinate limited supplier outreach to obtain external quotations when required to support comprehensive customer proposals.
• Champion the adoption of internal best practices and ensure that critical customer requirements are clearly communicated to all relevant internal stakeholders.
• Manage and communicate changes to technical requirements or project scope promptly and effectively with both internal teams and customers.
• Participate in structured sales and operating management processes, contributing technical insight and commercial perspective.
• Apply design-for-manufacture and design-for-assembly (DFMA) principles when evaluating customer designs and new business opportunities.
• Collaborate with operations and engineering to identify opportunities for cost reduction, efficiency improvements, and lead-time optimization within customer programs.
• Maintain accurate, complete, and up-to-date records in the CRM system to support sales visibility, pipeline management, and forecasting.
• Ensure all work activities and customer interactions comply with applicable quality systems, standards, and organizational requirements.
• Support relationship building and company representation at customer sites and industry events through occasional travel as needed.

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related technical discipline, or equivalent professional experience in place of formal education.
• At least two years of hands-on experience in manufacturing or design engineering environments.
• Background in mechanical engineering, with strong understanding of mechanical principles and applications.
• Experience in sales or application engineering within a manufacturing or engineering-focused context.
• Mechanical customer service experience, demonstrating the ability to support technically oriented clients.
• Competence in interpreting multi-level engineering drawings and applying technical knowledge in practical, real-world settings.
• Demonstrated ability to assess complex situations, think critically, and make sound decisions independently and in real time.
• Capability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously while maintaining a strong sense of urgency in fast-paced, deadline-driven environments.
• High attention to detail and strong listening skills, with the ability to communicate clearly and professionally in both written and verbal forms.
• Working knowledge and regular use of Microsoft Office applications.
• Proven dedication, integrity, and willingness to take responsible ownership of work and deliverables.
• Ability to stay motivated and productive when working independently as well as within cross-functional teams.

• BSME (Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering) or equivalent mechanical engineering education is highly desirable.
• Practical exposure to electric motor assembly and/or component manufacturing is preferred.
• Experience developing cost estimates for manufacturing projects and/or engineering service agreements is a plus.
• Prior experience supporting sales efforts within a manufacturing or engineering services environment is preferred.
• Experience preparing technical documentation such as proposals, quotations, specifications, or product testing materials.
• Inquisitive, optimistic, and collaborative mindset, with a strong desire to learn and improve.
• Comfort engaging with customers and prospects at early concept and ideation stages, translating ideas into feasible technical and commercial solutions.
• Ability to apply DFMA principles when reviewing customer designs and opportunities.
• Willingness to travel up to approximately 5% of the time to customer sites and industry events for relationship building and company representation.

This role operates within a technically driven, manufacturing and engineering-focused environment that emphasizes collaboration between sales, engineering, and operations. The position involves frequent interaction with cross-functional teams to align technical capabilities with customer needs, as well as regular use of Microsoft Office and CRM systems for documentation, analysis, and forecasting. Work is typically performed in an office setting with close coordination with engineering and production teams, and may include occasional visits to manufacturing areas and customer facilities. The schedule generally follows standard business hours, with the need to meet project and proposal deadlines in a fast-paced, deadline-driven context. Travel is limited, with up to approximately 5% of time spent visiting customer sites or attending industry events to support relationship building and represent the company. The culture values quality, adherence to established quality systems, continuous improvement, and clear, professional communication across all levels of the organization.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Belle Plaine, MN.

The pay range for this position is $70000.00 - $100000.00/yr.

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)

This is a fully onsite position in Belle Plaine,MN.

This position is anticipated to close on Jun 19, 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 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500.

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.

Salary : $70,000 - $100,000