Job Description

Position: Controls Application Engineer / Technical Support Sales Specialist
Location: Chicago Metro Area
Industry: Industrial Machinery Manufacturing

About the Role:
Join a leading industrial machinery manufacturer as a pivotal member bridging engineering expertise with sales acumen. This role demands a hybrid professional: someone grounded in electrical controls engineering who thrives in customer-facing technical sales and hands-on project support. You’ll be the technical backbone that supports sales teams while engineering and commissioning control systems for smaller-scale integration projects.

Key Responsibilities:

Sales Technical Support

• Partner with sales during Request for Quote (RFQ) walkthroughs to capture critical system details that ensure precise, competitive proposals.

• Conduct thorough site assessments going beyond initial walkthroughs to validate system parameters and identify installation complexities.

• Collect and document critical data such as motor horsepower ratings, drive specs, enclosure requirements, conduit pathways, operator interface needs, and field device layouts.

• Collaborate with electrical contractors to develop clear, actionable installation scopes and task lists to streamline proposal accuracy.

• Facilitate contractor site tours, answer technical queries, and critically assess proposals to recommend best-fit solutions.

Control Systems Engineering

• Design, draft, and deliver electrical schematics and bills of materials for projects scoped under 200 engineering hours.

• Develop and troubleshoot PLC and HMI programs, primarily leveraging Rockwell Automation platforms and other industry-standard tools.

• Lead panel testing, ensuring pre-commissioning readiness before field deployment.

• Oversee commissioning and startup activities on-site for smaller integration projects, typically completed within a week.

What We’re Looking For:

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering (BSEE), Mechanical Engineering (BSME), or comparable experience.

• Proven ability to follow through on commitments with meticulous attention to detail.

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, able to confidently engage technical and non-technical stakeholders.

• Hands-on industrial plant experience preferred, ideally within manufacturing environments.

• Solid organizational and analytical mindset, capable of managing multiple project details simultaneously.

• Technical self-confidence coupled with a customer-oriented sales approach.

• Willingness to travel approximately 25-30% of the time, mainly short trips.

• Proficiency in AutoCAD and Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel).

• Demonstrated experience programming Rockwell Automation PLCs and HMIs (Panelview ME/SE, Wonderware, Ignition).

Why This Role?
You’ll be joining a company that values engineers who can sell smartly and sell engineers who can deliver smartly. If you want a role where your technical skills directly impact customer success while growing sales opportunities, this is the place.