Technical Product Specialist - Industrial Equipment & Automation Division

Job Description:

Miller® is about building things that matter. We lead the welding industry in building advanced, solution-focused products and meeting crucial needs for welding safety and health.

We're about the partnership and the work. Our products are designed with our users for manufacturing, fabrication, construction, aviation, motorsports, education, agriculture and marine applications.

Miller Electric Mfg. LLC, is headquartered in Appleton, Wisconsin, and wholly owned by Illinois Tool Works ( (NYSE: ITW). The company maintains its industry leadership by setting the standard for reliability, quality and responsiveness. Our tagline, "The Power of Blue®," is inspired by the blue color of Miller equipment.

The company began with an innovation that responded to customer needs, growing from a one-man operation in 1929, to the world's largest manufacturer of arc welding products. Miller keeps the tradition alive by focusing on its top priority: people.

Job Summary

We are seeking a technically strong and commercially driven Applications Sales Specialist to support welding automation sales across the Jetline and Miller Automation product lines.

This role is responsible for application validation, technical quoting, and cross-functional coordination to ensure that customer solutions are properly scoped, accurately quoted, and aligned through build and customer acceptance.

The position serves as a critical link between Sales, Engineering, Operations, and the Customer to improve quoting speed, increase win rates, and reduce post-sale issues. This individual will also play a key role in leading the Jetline side of the sales process, providing technical direction, identifying risks, and ensuring alignment between what is sold and how systems perform in the field.

The ideal candidate brings a strong understanding of welding automation systems and demonstrates the ability to translate customer requirements into clear, executable solutions while maintaining alignment with product capabilities and business objectives.

Key Responsibilities

Application & Technical Sales Support

• Lead technical discussions with Sales, customers, and channel partners to evaluate welding automation applications including circumferential welding, seam welders, track and carriage systems, control retrofits to customer's existing equipment, and column & boom systems

• Assess application feasibility, system fit, and risk prior to quotation

• Provide clear guidance on system capabilities, limitations, and expected performance

• Lead the technical direction of Jetline opportunities within the sales process, ensuring solutions align with product strengths, application requirements, and customer expectations

Quoting & Proposal Development

• Develop system and parts quotations based on customer requirements and sales requests

• Translate application needs into structured system configurations and bill of materials

• Ensure quotes are aligned with engineering standards, product capabilities, and delivery expectations

• Maintain responsiveness to high-volume quoting requests while ensuring accuracy

Sales to Engineering Handoff

• Create and submit detailed build sheets and technical documentation to Engineering

• Participate in internal pre-production and kickoff meetings to review scope, risks, and open items

• Ensure alignment between quoted solution and engineered system prior to release

Post-Sale Technical Support

• Provide technical clarification and support for Service, Operations, and integration partners

• Assist in identifying and quoting spare parts, system upgrades, and critical components

• Support resolution of issues tied to application scope or system configuration

• Act as a technical resource to Service teams by relaying customer feedback, system performance observations, and recurring issues to improve support effectiveness

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Engineering, Product Management, Operations, and Sales teams to ensure alignment across the sales and execution process

• Communicate effectively across internal teams to resolve technical questions and support project execution

• Provide feedback on recurring application challenges and opportunities for product or process improvement

• Provide structured feedback to Operations leadership, Electrical and Mechanical teams on system performance, build challenges, and recurring application risks to improve future execution and standardization

Channel & Global Support

• Support distributor and integrator partners with technical application guidance and system recommendations

• Engage with international sales teams and partners across Europe, India, South America, China, and Miller Beijing

• Ensure consistent communication of product capabilities and solution expectations across regions

On-Site Run-Off & Build Support

• Provide on-site support during system run-off and customer acceptance phases as required

• Monitor electrical and mechanical build progress against quoted scope and application intent

• Identify gaps, risks, and pain points during build and communicate to appropriate functional teams (Engineering, Operations, Electrical, Mechanical)

• Act as a liaison between the build site, internal teams, and the customer to ensure alignment on system performance and expectations

• Support management of customer expectations during run-off to prevent scope creep and misalignment with original quote

• Escalate risks early to maintain delivery timelines and customer acceptance criteria

• Observe system performance during run-off and communicate insights back to Operations leadership, Service, and Engineering teams to drive continuous improvement

• Reinforce alignment between quoted solution, engineered system, and final system performance

Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Associate or Bachelor's degree in Welding Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related technical field preferred

• 10+ years of experience in welding automation, applications engineering, technical sales, or system integration

• Experience with Fixed Automated welding systems including positioning equipment, seam welders, track and carriage systems, welding control systems, circumferential/lathe style systems, manipulators, and power sources

Technical Skills

• Strong understanding of welding processes and automation systems

• Experience with system configuration, quoting, or applications support in a technical environment

• Ability to interpret customer requirements and translate into system solutions

• Familiarity with industrial automation components and system integration principles

Soft Skills

• Strong communication skills with the ability to lead technical discussions with customers and internal teams

• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, sales-driven environment

• High attention to detail with a focus on accuracy and execution

• Collaborative and solution-oriented mindset

Additional Requirements

• Travel up to 15% may be required for customer engagement, training, and internal collaboration

• Ability to support both on-site and remote technical discussions via phone and virtual platforms

Why This Role Matters

This role is a critical control point in the sales and execution process, ensuring that customer solutions are properly defined, accurately quoted, and aligned with real-world performance.

By validating applications upfront and driving clarity between Sales, Engineering, and the Customer, this position directly reduces post-sale issues, minimizes rework, and protects margin.

Through faster, more accurate quoting and consistent solution definition, the role also improves sales velocity and increases close rates while promoting standardization across the product line.

Ultimately, this position strengthens customer confidence, improves internal efficiency, and supports scalable growth across the welding automation business

Compensation Information:

$68,800 - $121,200

ITW is an equal opportunity employer. We value our colleagues' unique perspectives, experiences and ideas and create workplaces where everyone can develop their careers and perform to their full potential.

As an equal employment opportunity employer, ITW is committed to equal employment opportunity and fair treatment for employees, beginning with the hiring process and continuing through all aspects of the employment relationship.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected Veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.