Sales Engineer

Job Title: Sales Engineer

Job Description

The Sales Engineer will lead new business development for a specialized testing laboratory, with a strong focus on large-scale powertrain and drivetrain testing programs. This role centers on expanding existing customer relationships and opening new markets, particularly in electric drivetrain and powertrain applications, while driving significant, long term testing projects.

The Sales Engineer will operate as the dedicated growth-focused salesperson, managing complex, high-value opportunities and helping diversify the business into sectors such as automotive, aerospace, marine, locomotive, rail, and other drivetrain and powertrain-related industries.

Responsibilities

• Drive new business development for large-scale powertrain and drivetrain testing projects, focusing on long-term, high-value programs.
• Leverage and expand existing customer relationships to increase revenue and market share in electric drivetrain and powertrain testing.
• Identify, qualify, and pursue new opportunities in target markets, including automotive, aerospace, marine, locomotive, rail, and other drivetrain and powertrain applications.
• Develop and execute a strategic sales plan to grow the testing labs customer base and diversify its industry presence.
• Manage the full sales cycle from initial prospecting and technical discussions through proposal development, negotiation, and contract closure.
• Collaborate closely with technical teams to understand testing capabilities and translate customer requirements into tailored testing solutions.
• Prepare and deliver compelling technical and commercial presentations that clearly communicate value propositions to prospective customers.
• Analyze the financial aspects of deals, including pricing, margins, and long-term program value, to ensure profitable and sustainable business growth.
• Maintain a robust pipeline of opportunities and accurately forecast sales performance over long sales cycles.
• Travel extensively across North America to meet with prospective and existing customers, conduct on-site visits, and build strong, long-term relationships.
• Attend weekly in-office meetings and coordinate field activities to ensure alignment with company goals and project priorities.

Essential Skills

• 5 years of sales experience, preferably in technical or engineering
• Understanding of powertrain and drivetrain testing
• Proven ability to manage and succeed in long sales cycles involving complex, high-value projects
• Solid understanding of the financial side of selling, including pricing, margins
• Experience in technical sales or sales engineering
• Comfort with independently driving business development and owning revenue growth
• Strong communication, presentation, and relationship building
• Self-motivated, results-oriented approach with the discipline to manage a broad territory

Work Environment

The role combines office-based collaboration with extensive field work.

The Sales Engineer attends a weekly in-office meeting on Thursday mornings to align with internal teams and review ongoing opportunities, then spends the majority of the time traveling and meeting customers in the field.

Travel will span all of North America, with flexibility to visit any region where new business can be developed.

The work environment is growth-oriented, with a focus on expanding a specialized testing labs presence in electric drivetrain and powertrain testing and diversifying into additional industries. The position offers a competitive base compensation structure with a substantial commission component tied to sales performance, reflecting the high-value nature of the projects and the emphasis on business growth.

This is a Permanent position based out of East Lansing, MI.

The pay range for this position is $120000.00 - $140000.00/yr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

we can ask for a copy of this.

This is a Permanent position based out of East Lansing, MI.

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 16, 2026.

This is a fully onsite position in East Lansing,MI.

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 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

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 View email address on click.appcast.io 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.