Technical Sales Specialist

Company Description

Baker Engineering LLC provides power, propulsion, advanced manufacturing, and technology solutions to customers operating in aerospace, defense, automotive, marine, and industrial markets. For more than 60 years, Baker Engineering has delivered innovative engineering and manufacturing solutions that solve complex technical challenges and support mission-critical applications.

Today, Baker Engineering is expanding its portfolio through the launch of the ICE3 engine platform, growth in engineering services, and increased investment in precision manufacturing capabilities. As an SBA 8(a)-certified company and subsidiary of Waséyabek Development Company, Baker Engineering is uniquely positioned to support both commercial and government customers with world-class technical expertise and manufacturing excellence.

Our culture values innovation, accountability, continuous improvement, and customer focus. Team members work collaboratively across engineering, manufacturing, operations, and business development to create solutions that drive customer success.

Position Summary

Baker Engineering is seeking a Technical Sales Specialist to support the growth of our ICE3 engine product line, engineering services business, and advanced manufacturing operations.

This role is responsible for identifying and qualifying new opportunities, developing customer proposals, generating manufacturing quotations, supporting product commercialization efforts, and coordinating cross-functional teams to convert opportunities into revenue.

The successful candidate will serve as a key link between customers, engineering, manufacturing, and business leadership. They will help shape technical solutions, develop pricing strategies, prepare winning proposals, and support customers throughout the sales process.

This position reports directly to the Vice President of Growth & Revenue and will work closely with engineering, manufacturing, program management, and executive leadership teams. The Technical Sales Specialist serves as the primary interface between customers and Baker Engineering's engineering, manufacturing, and product development teams. This role is responsible for supporting the commercialization of the ICE3 product line, developing manufacturing quotations, preparing technical proposals, identifying new business opportunities, and helping customers translate requirements into practical engineering and manufacturing solutions.

Key ResponsibilitiesBusiness Development & Opportunity Management

• Identify, qualify, and pursue new business opportunities across aerospace, defense, automotive, marine, and industrial markets.
• Support commercialization and market expansion activities for the ICE3 engine product family.
• Develop and maintain relationships with customers, government stakeholders, primes, and strategic partners.
• Participate in customer meetings, trade shows, industry events, and technical demonstrations.
• Manage opportunities through the CRM system from initial contact through award.

Proposal Development & Capture

• Lead the development of technical and cost proposals for engineering services, product development programs, and manufacturing opportunities.
• Coordinate proposal inputs from engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, quality, and finance teams.
• Develop proposal schedules and ensure timely submission of customer responses.
• Assist with capture planning and win strategy development.

Manufacturing Quoting & Estimating

• Develop quotations for precision machining, fabrication, assembly, and manufacturing services.
• Work with manufacturing and engineering teams to establish labor estimates, material requirements, routing assumptions, and production costs.
• Analyze RFQs, technical drawings, specifications, and statements of work.
• Maintain quoting tools, pricing databases, and estimating standards.
• Support continuous improvement of quote turnaround time and quote accuracy.

Technical Sales & Product Support

• Understand customer requirements and translate them into technically viable solutions.
• Support customer presentations, product demonstrations, and technical discussions.
• Coordinate with engineering teams to ensure customer requirements are accurately understood and communicated.
• Provide technical guidance during pre-sales and post-sales activities.
• Support development of product literature, capability statements, and technical marketing materials.

Strategic Growth Support

• Monitor market trends, competitor activity, and customer needs.
• Assist leadership in evaluating new markets, technologies, and partnership opportunities.
• Support annual growth initiatives and strategic planning activities.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of business development and proposal processes.

QualificationsRequired

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, Manufacturing, or related field.
• 5 years of experience in technical sales, business development, estimating, proposal management, manufacturing engineering, or a related technical role.
• Ability to interpret technical drawings, specifications, and engineering documentation.
• Strong written communication skills with experience preparing proposals, quotations, or customer-facing technical documentation.
• Experience working in manufacturing, engineering services, aerospace, defense, or industrial markets.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and CRM systems.

Preferred

• Experience with government contracting, DoD programs, SBIRs, OTAs, or federal proposal development.
• Experience with manufacturing estimating, cost modeling, or quoting processes.
• Familiarity with machining, fabrication, assembly, and aerospace manufacturing processes.
• Experience supporting new product launches and commercialization efforts.
• Knowledge of power, propulsion, engine systems, UAS, UGV, or advanced mobility technologies.
• Understanding of AS9100, ISO 9001, or related quality management systems.

Key Success Metrics

• New opportunity pipeline growth.
• Proposal submission volume and win rate.
• Quote turnaround time and quote accuracy.
• Revenue generated from ICE3 products and engineering services.
• Customer satisfaction and retention.
• Conversion rate from qualified opportunity to awarded business.

Work Location

Hybrid position based in Nunica, Michigan.

• Regular interaction with Baker Engineering's Manufacturing Center of Excellence and Power & Propulsion Center of Excellence is required (2 days per month on-site). Limited travel to customer sites, trade shows, and industry events may be required (5-7 days per month).