Product Sales Engineer

Rockford Ball Screw Co.•Rockford, IL

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

Rockford Ball Screw is looking for an experienced Product Sales Engineer who understands machinery, enjoys solving problems, and can work directly with customers to help develop the right solution for their application. This isn't a traditional sales role. We are looking for someone with enough real-world engineering and machine experience to understand what our customers are designing, building, and troubleshooting. What we're looking for is the experience that comes from working with the types of machines and applications that use ball screws such as electromechanical actuators, machine tools, industrial automation, robotics, material handling, packaging equipment, specialty machinery, and other precision motion systems. The right person can look at a machine, understand how the components work together, ask the right questions, and recognize when something doesn't look right. The Product Sales Engineer (PSE) is responsible for providing technical support to customers and the Sales team by understanding customer applications, machine designs, and performance requirements to develop appropriate ball screw and linear motion solutions. The PSE serves as a technical liaison between customers, Sales, and Engineering throughout the sales and application process. This position requires practical knowledge of machinery, mechanical systems, and precision motion applications, with the ability to identify application requirements, troubleshoot issues, review technical information, and develop practical solutions. The PSE will support customer relationships and sales opportunities involving machine tools, industrial automation, robotics, material handling, packaging equipment, specialty machinery, and other precision motion systems.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related technical field is preferred; equivalent practical experience in machinery, engineering, manufacturing, or technical applications will also be considered.
10+ years of practical experience in machine design, industrial automation, machine tools, motion control, robotics, special machinery, or related equipment.
Demonstrated experience working with machinery, machine design, industrial automation, machine tools, motion control, robotics, special machinery, or similar equipment.
Strong mechanical aptitude and a practical understanding of how machinery and mechanical systems work.
Hands-on experience with machine design, applications engineering, equipment commissioning, troubleshooting, or a similar technical discipline.
Experience working with ball screws, linear motion products, or equipment utilizing ball screws and linear motion components.
Ability to read, understand, and interpret mechanical drawings, blueprints, specifications, and related technical documentation.
Ability to recognize potential application or mechanical issues and recommend appropriate solutions.
Strong troubleshooting skills with the ability to identify root causes and work through mechanical or application-related problems.
Experience communicating with engineers, machine builders, maintenance personnel, purchasing professionals, customers, and business leaders.
Ability to explain technical information clearly and directly to both technical and non-technical audiences.
Ability to work independently while collaborating closely with Sales, Engineering, Manufacturing, and customers.

Nice To Haves

15+ years of practical experience in machine design, industrial automation, machine tools, motion control, robotics, special machinery, or related equipment.
Experience in technical sales, applications engineering, product support, or a customer-facing engineering role.
Knowledge of product applications and the ability to determine how components should be applied based on a customer's machine design and operating requirements.
Experience visiting customer facilities, evaluating equipment, asking technical questions, and working directly with customers to develop solutions.
Knowledge of mechanical drafting standards and geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T).
Experience providing technical training, mentoring, or developing the knowledge and capabilities of others.
Experience working with ERP systems and Microsoft Office or similar business and technical software.
Experience working closely with Sales, Engineering, Manufacturing, and customers to develop and support technical solutions.

Responsibilities

Work directly with customers to understand their machine, application, performance requirements, operating conditions, and technical challenges.
Evaluate technical requirements including loads, speeds, duty cycles, accuracy, service life, mounting configurations, lubrication, operating environment, and overall machine configuration.
Review customer drawings, specifications, machine concepts, and other technical documentation to identify requirements, potential concerns, and opportunities for RBS products.
Provide advanced technical support to the Sales team by assisting with customer questions, product selection, application requirements, technical recommendations, and product knowledge.
Troubleshoot customer applications and field issues by evaluating equipment, operating conditions, and product performance and recommending potential solutions.
Participate in customer site visits and provide on-site technical support when necessary to assist with application reviews, troubleshooting, installation, or other customer needs.
Serve as a technical liaison between customers, Sales, Engineering, and other internal departments to ensure customer requirements are clearly communicated and appropriately addressed.
Work closely with Design Engineering throughout product development and custom application projects to communicate customer requirements and assist in developing appropriate solutions.
Maintain a strong understanding of RBS products, manufacturing capabilities, and application requirements to effectively communicate technical information to customers and internal teams.
Any/all other duties as assigned.