Sales Engineers
What is a Sales Engineer?
Sales Engineers are professionals who combine technical knowledge with sales skills to effectively engage in the sale of complex products and services, typically in fields such as technology, manufacturing, and engineering. Their role is critical in bridging the gap between the customer and the company, ensuring that customers fully understand the technical complexities of a product and how it meets their specific needs.
These individuals often have a strong background in engineering or a related field, allowing them to understand and explain the intricate features and benefits of products. They work closely with customers to identify their requirements, present solutions, and demonstrate product functionality. Sales Engineers often prepare and deliver product demonstrations, provide technical support during the sales process, and collaborate with the sales team to develop strategies tailored to customer needs.
The role of a Sales Engineer requires excellent communication skills, as they must be able to convey technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders effectively. They also need to possess strong problem-solving abilities, as they frequently tailor solutions to meet unique customer challenges. The position often involves traveling to client locations, attending trade shows, and participating in presentations that require both technical acumen and persuasive selling techniques.
Overall, Sales Engineers play a vital role in driving business by providing customers with the information and confidence needed to make informed purchasing decisions, ultimately contributing to the success of their organizations.
Tasks
- Develop, present, or respond to proposals for specific customer requirements, including request for proposal responses and industry-specific solutions.
- Collaborate with sales teams to understand customer requirements, to promote the sale of company products, and to provide sales support.
- Create sales or service contracts for products or services.
- Visit prospective buyers at commercial, industrial, or other establishments to show samples or catalogs, and to inform them about product pricing, availability, and advantages.
- Keep informed on industry news and trends, products, services, competitors, relevant information about legacy, existing, and emerging technologies, and the latest product-line developments.
Technology Skills
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software
- Project management software
- Data base user interface and query software
- Web platform development software
- Operating system software
Tools Used
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Mainframe computers
- Notebook computers
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Desktop computers
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Personal computers
Knowledge
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Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
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Sales and Marketing
Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
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Engineering and Technology
Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
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English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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Mathematics
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Skills
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Persuasion
Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
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Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
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Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
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Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
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Judgment and Decision Making
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Abilities
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Oral Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
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Speech Clarity
The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
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Deductive Reasoning
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
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Inductive Reasoning
The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
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Oral Comprehension
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Education
How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation?
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Bachelor's degree
Work Activities
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Communicating with People Outside the Organization
Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
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Getting Information
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
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Selling or Influencing Others
Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
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Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
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Working with Computers
Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
Detailed Work Activities
- Sell products or services.
- Develop proposals for current or prospective customers.
- Share sales-related or market information with colleagues.
- Prepare sales or other contracts.
- Contact current or potential customers to promote products or services.
Work Interests
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Enterprising
Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertising, finance, management/administration, professional advising, public speaking, politics, or law.
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Conventional
Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.
Job Outlook
Projected salary and job growth
$67760.0 - $202660.0
This career will grow rapidly in the next few years.
Assessment
Related assessments and tests
No assessment available.