Inside Sales Representative - Controls & Instrumentation

Job Description

Inside Sales Representative / Technical Estimator, Controls & Instrumentation

Department: Sales

Reports To: Director of Sales

Work Arrangement: Hybrid

Location: Winston-Salem, NC

What We Need

Our client is currently seeking an Inside Sales Representative / Technical Estimator to join their Sales team. This role is ideal for someone who can translate technical drawings and specifications into accurate, competitive proposals for control system hardware and software, PLC panels, HMIs, SCADA packages, and associated instrumentation, tied to equipment sold into the municipal water and wastewater treatment market.

You'll work directly with customers, OEM equipment manufacturers, and internal sales and engineering teams, calling on multiple OEM partners as well as bidding projects directly to municipal and industrial water/wastewater end users and contractors.

What You'll Do

• Prepare detailed cost estimates, quotations, and bid/RFP proposals for control system hardware and software tied to equipment orders from OEM partners and direct customers.
• Read, interpret, and take off quantities from P&IDs, electrical schematics, control panel drawings, and project specifications to determine scope and pricing.
• Confirm that proposed control hardware and software architecture meets the customer's functional requirements, communication protocols, and site conditions before a quote is issued.
• Field inbound inside sales calls and quote requests from customers, OEM partners, and manufacturer's representatives, and proactively call on OEMs to develop new and repeat quoting opportunities.
• Partner with Sales and Operations leadership to keep product pricing, labor rates, and cost data current and accurate for estimating and bidding.
• Develop cost estimates iteratively as a project's design matures, updating proposals as scope changes.
• Evaluate design and component options and recommend the best path based on cost, lead time, quality, and material availability.
• Draft, format, and finalize written proposals, technical narratives, and pricing summaries for submission to customers.
• Log and track quotes, bids, and win/loss outcomes in the company CRM, keeping records current so internal teams have clear visibility into pipeline status.
• Follow up proactively with clients, contractors, and internal stakeholders, and communicate bid status and timelines so downstream work can be planned accordingly.
• Identify recurring bottlenecks or errors in the estimating and quoting process and bring proposed solutions to management.

What You Bring

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, automation, controls, or a related field, or equivalent hands-on experience.
• 4+ years of hands-on controls, automation, or SCADA engineering experience, with direct exposure to estimating, technical sales, or application engineering.
• Direct experience designing, specifying, or estimating PLC, HMI, and SCADA systems.
• Working knowledge of one or more SCADA platforms (e.g., Ignition, VTScada by Trihedral, FactoryTalk).
• Demonstrated ability to build competitive, technically sound bids from customer specifications, drawings, and bid documents under deadline.
• Strong professional communication skills, both written and verbal, with engineers, procurement contacts, and end-user customers.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint, plus OneDrive/SharePoint file management.
• Working knowledge of CRM platforms such as HubSpot or Salesforce.
• Strong, hands-on knowledge of industrial automation protocols and network architecture, including Modbus TCP/IP, Modbus RTU, EtherNet/IP, OPC/OPC-UA, and DNP3.
• Solid understanding of industrial network design and cybersecurity fundamentals as applied to SCADA/control system architecture.
• Valid driver's license required.

What Sets You Apart

• Prior experience in the water and wastewater treatment industry (OEM, municipal, or systems integrator side).
• Working knowledge of one or more SCADA platforms (e.g., Ignition, VTScada by Trihedral, FactoryTalk).
• Solid understanding of industrial network design and cybersecurity fundamentals as applied to SCADA/control system architecture.
• Ability to read electrical one-lines, panel layouts, and I/O schedules well enough to validate a bill of materials.
• Familiarity with water/wastewater regulatory and industry standards (e.g., state SCADA/telemetry requirements, NFPA 70/70E, UL 508A panel requirements).