Sales Engineer — Industrial Automation & Control Systems

Base Commission | Buford, GA | Full-Time

Applied Industrial Controls (AIC), an MCE Company

Are you a self-driven, technically fluent sales professional who can engage confidently at every level of a customer organization — from maintenance techs to C-suite — and develop the kind of relationships that turn into long-term partnerships?

As a Sales Engineer at AIC, you will promote and sell our full range of automation and control system products, services, and engineering capabilities panel builds, PLC/HMI programming, VFDs, motor controls, and more. You will identify new opportunities, develop regional and core accounts, understand your customers' operations inside and out, and work in close partnership with engineering, inside sales, and production to design and deliver the right automation solution for every application. This is a role for someone who is genuinely motivated to grow a territory and take real ownership of their results.

If you have 3 or more years of industrial sales experience, a strong automation or controls background, and the drive to build lasting customer relationships, we want to talk.

Compensation & Benefits

We take care of our team with a full benefits package:

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Company-paid life, AD&D, and short- and long-term disability insurance.
• 401(k) with a generous company match.
• Generous PTO and paid holidays.
• Tuition reimbursement — we invest in your development.
• Paid parental leave.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Voluntary benefit products.

What You'll Do

Grow Your Territory

• Promote and sell AIC's products, services, and engineering and production capabilities across automation applications of all kinds.
• Develop regional and core accounts by working new and existing sales opportunities — continually seeking ways to nurture relationships, grow account satisfaction, and identify target accounts.
• Research local markets to identify emerging opportunities and competitive activity, and develop plans to expand revenue.
• Work with the Sales Manager to create a target account business plan including sales strategy and strategic account priorities within your territory.
• Build rapport with customers and develop a deep understanding of their operations and core business profit drivers.

Develop and Deliver Solutions

• Understand the complexities and implications of each customer's business to develop and present the best automation and manufacturing solution for their application.
• Work in partnership with engineering, inside sales, and production leadership to devise and present optimum solutions for clients.
• Identify, define, and develop the best technical solution for each customer application — involving engineering and production on projects as needed to assess staffing, budget, execution, and feasibility.
• Assure every opportunity is profitable and feasible before it is quoted.
• Work with the inside sales team to confirm project costs are meeting quoted pricing; obtain Engineering Change Orders (ECOs) as needed.

Close Business and Manage Accounts

• Prepare product and service quotations and propose to potential customers.
• Negotiate price, schedule, terms and conditions, and other commercial issues to close profitable transactions.
• Create operating agreements for key accounts including stocking agreements, kitting, production agreements, and engineering support.
• Develop relationships with manufacturing partners and the AIC engineering team to deliver consistently for customers.
• Develop and maintain successful long-term customer relationships that generate repeat business and referrals.
• Record all accounts, contract, and sales activities in CRM on a daily basis.

What We're Looking For

Must Have:

• 3 years of results-oriented industrial sales experience with a proven track record of growing a territory.
• Self-motivated and driven to generate leads, follow up on opportunities, and grow a client base independently.
• Ability to relate comfortably and work effectively with people across all organizational levels — maintenance, engineering, purchasing, management, and executive leadership.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Strong work ethic with a genuine desire to understand and meet customer needs.
• Valid driver's license required.

Nice to Have:

• Background in industrial automation, control systems, panel building, PLCs, HMIs, or VFDs.
• Experience reading building blueprints, mechanical drawings, and electrical diagrams.
• Proven ability to develop and implement strategies to enhance market share.

About Applied Industrial Controls (AIC)

Applied Industrial Controls (AIC) is a UL508A-certified control panel manufacturer and automation integrator based in Buford, GA, specializing in custom control panels, PLC and HMI programming, VFDs, motor controls, and complete automation solutions for manufacturers across the Southeast and beyond. AIC serves customers with Siemens, ABB, Eaton, Mitsubishi, and other leading automation platforms, designing and building solutions in EPLAN P8 and delivering them with the engineering depth and production quality that keep customers coming back.

AIC joined Motion and Control Enterprises (MCE) in 2023, giving the team the resources and reach of a top-50 national industrial distributor while keeping the technical expertise and customer-first culture that have defined AIC since day one.

AIC and MCE are proud Equal Opportunity Employers. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds, experiences, and identities.

If you are a driven, technically savvy sales professional who wants to sell complex automation solutions for a growing UL-certified panel shop backed by a national industrial distributor, we would love to hear from you.

Apply today — it only takes a few minutes.

MCE does not accept candidate submissions from third-party recruiters or agencies. Any resumes or candidate information submitted without a prior written agreement in place will be considered the property of MCE, and no fees will be paid.

Recruiters and agencies are directed not to contact MCE employees directly regarding this or any of our other open positions.