Project and Sales Engineer (Charlotte)

About the Role:

Are you an engineer who enjoys being in front of customers as much as you enjoy solving technical problems? As CSI’s Project and Sales Engineer, you will be the technical and commercial bridge between our customers and our global engineering, sourcing, and manufacturing network. You will own new industrial parts opportunities from the first conversation and RFQ, through samples and validation, and into initial production, with a direct and visible impact on the growth of CSI’s industrial parts revenue.

This is a customer-facing role for someone who combines strong engineering fundamentals with genuine sales instincts. You will earn customer trust by understanding their applications and challenges, design and refine parts in CAD, build competitive and profitable quotes, and lead collaborative teams across the US and around the world to deliver on our commitments. If you want a role where your technical expertise turns directly into won business and long-term customer relationships, this is it.

What You’ll Do:

Customer Engagement and Revenue Growth

• Serve as a trusted technical advisor to customers, building strong relationships with engineering, purchasing, and quality contacts and becoming their go-to resource at CSI.
• Develop and grow a pipeline of new industrial parts opportunities with existing customers and new prospects, partnering with the sales team on lead generation, account strategy, and customer visits.
• Uncover customer needs and pain points, recommend design, material, and manufacturing solutions that add value, and identify opportunities to expand CSI’s share of business.
• Lead technical and commercial discussions, presentations, and negotiations with confidence, clearly articulating CSI’s value proposition.
• Prepare and deliver accurate, competitive quotes that win business while protecting and maximizing margin.
• Support the technical needs of existing business, responding quickly and professionally to customer questions, changes, and concerns.

Project Leadership: RFQ, Samples, and Initial Production

• Own projects end to end, from RFQ and quoting through sample builds, PPAP and part validation, and the successful launch of initial production.
• Use CAD software (SolidWorks or equivalent) to design new parts, modify existing parts, and review and interpret customer drawings and specifications.
• Work directly with sourcing teams and suppliers to identify the best-cost, best-fit manufacturing solutions for each RFQ.
• Define and track project timelines, milestones, and deliverables, keeping customers and internal stakeholders informed at every stage.
• Partner with quality teams on inspection plans, PPAP submissions, and validation of parts against prints to ensure first-time-right launches.
• Maintain complete and well-organized project documentation, including prints, quotes, specifications, and approvals.

Global Collaboration

• Collaborate with engineering, sourcing, quality, sales, and operations colleagues across the US and global locations to drive projects to successful outcomes.
• Act as the voice of the customer within CSI, translating customer requirements into clear technical direction for global teams and suppliers.
• Coordinate across time zones and cultures to resolve issues quickly, align priorities, and keep projects moving.

Continuous Improvement

• Maintain and analyze project data and metrics, including quote win rate, lead-time, and margin, to measure success and guide decisions.
• Identify, document, present, and implement ideas that reduce project lead-time, improve quote accuracy, and enhance the customer experience.

What You Bring:

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electrical Engineering Technology, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• 3+ years of experience in an engineering, project engineering, applications engineering, or project management role.
• Demonstrated customer-facing experience, with a track record of building relationships and influencing purchasing decisions.
• Natural sales ability and business acumen: comfortable identifying opportunities, presenting solutions, handling objections, and taking customer ownership.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Ability to read and interpret manufacturing drawings and specifications, including GD&T, tolerances, and material and finish callouts.
• Solid understanding of industrial manufacturing processes and hands-on experience with inspection plans, PPAP, and validating parts against prints.
• Proficiency with CAD software to design, modify, and review parts.
• Proven project management skills, with a documented history of delivering projects on time and achieving results.
• A collaborative, team-first mindset and the ability to work effectively with colleagues and suppliers across US and global teams.
• Strong organization, prioritization, analytical, and problem-solving skills in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office.
• Ability to travel to customer and supplier sites as needed.

Preferred

• Experience in industrial manufacturing or component sourcing.
• PMP certification.
• Experience with SolidWorks.
• Experience with CRM or ERP systems.
• Familiarity with APQP, PFMEA, and control plans.

Why You’ll Love This Role:

• Real impact. Your work directly drives new business and the growth of CSI’s industrial parts revenue, and your results will be visible.
• Variety every day. Blend hands-on engineering, customer engagement, and project leadership; no two projects are the same.
• Global reach. Work with talented teams and suppliers around the world and gain exposure to a broad range of products, processes, and industries.
• Ownership and growth. Lead your projects from first contact to production launch, and build skills in both engineering and business development that open doors for your career.