What are the responsibilities and job description for the Sales Application Engineer (MI) position at Expert Connections?
Sales Application Engineer – Cutting Tools
Location: Michigan (Remote / Field-Based)
Compensation: Base Salary Commission
Travel: Up to 50%
About the Opportunity
Our client, a leading global manufacturer, is seeking an experienced Sales Application Engineer to support and grow its established Michigan sales territory.
The company provides innovative cutting-tool solutions for complex machining applications across the automotive, aerospace, and general manufacturing industries.
The ideal candidate combines strong technical expertise in cutting tools, CNC machining, and metalworking applications with proven technical sales experience.
Key Responsibilities
Manage and grow an established sales territory, developing existing customer relationships and identifying new business opportunities.
Promote and sell precision cutting tools and custom-engineered tooling solutions to manufacturing customers.
Provide technical application support for milling, turning, hole-making, and hole-finishing operations.
Evaluate machining processes and recommend cutting tools, tool geometries, cutting parameters, and application solutions.
Conduct and document cutting-tool trials to improve tool life, cycle time, part quality, and productivity.
Troubleshoot tooling performance issues and identify opportunities to reduce cost per part and total cost of ownership (TCO).
Collaborate with internal engineering and manufacturing teams to develop custom tooling solutions.
Develop distributor relationships and provide technical product support and training.
Prepare technical proposals, quotations, and cost justification analyses to support sales opportunities.
Qualifications
Proven technical sales experience in precision cutting tools, metalworking, or machining solutions.
Ideally 5 years of experience in cutting tools, CNC machining, manufacturing engineering, or related technical applications.
Strong knowledge of metal cutting processes, including milling, turning, hole-making, and hole-finishing.
Understanding of cutting-tool geometry, tool materials, workpiece metallurgy, and machining parameters.
Working knowledge of CNC programming and G-code; hands-on machine operation is not required.
Ability to interpret engineering drawings, GD&T, tolerances, and surface finish specifications.
Experience with cutting-tool applications, troubleshooting, process optimization, and technical value selling.
Strong communication, relationship-building, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to independently manage a sales territory and travel up to 50% within the Northern & Eastern Michigan territory.
Why Join?
- Competitive base salary plus performance-based commission.
- Established Territory: Existing customer base with opportunities for further growth.
- Remote / Field-Based: Work from home within the assigned Michigan territory.
- Medical plans with 90% company cost coverage
- Benefits: Day-one medical, dental, vision, short-term and long-term disability coverage, and 401(k) eligibility.