Project Manager

Padnos•Grand Rapids, MI

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Sales Engineer is the technical bridge between PADNOS's engineering, machining, and fabrication capabilities and the industrial and manufacturing customers who need them. This role combines hands-on mechanical and process knowledge with consultative selling to grow external sales of precision machining, fabrication, repair, and engineered equipment solutions out of the PLI machine shop. The Sales Engineer manages and grows an existing external customer base of approximately $2M annually, supports internal ordering and processing of $500K+ in vendor parts, and helps evaluate and integrate external sales growth through M&A opportunities. Because many of these customers also generate scrap, the Sales Engineer partners with PADNOS Metals Recycling sales to identify where equipment, material handling, and service solutions strengthen the overall customer relationship. The role works closely with Engineering, Production, Purchasing, and Operations so that commitments made in the field are delivered on time, on budget, and to specification.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in mechanical, manufacturing, or industrial engineering, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
3 to 7 years of experience in technical or industrial B2B sales, applications engineering, or engineering/project management in a manufacturing environment.
Strong mechanical aptitude and working knowledge of machining and fabrication processes.
Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, blueprints, and specifications.
Proven negotiation and consultative-selling skills.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office and CRM systems.
Valid driver's license and ability to travel regularly within the territory.

Nice To Haves

Experience selling machine shop, fabrication, or heavy equipment repair services.
SolidWorks and AutoCAD experience.
Experience in metals recycling, scrap processing, or heavy industrial equipment.
Cost estimating experience and familiarity with ERP or job-shop software.
Existing network of industrial and manufacturing contacts in West Michigan.

Responsibilities

Identify and win new business in industries that require machining, fabrication, and heavy equipment repair (e.g., industrial equipment, recycling and scrap processing, automotive, energy, and general manufacturing).
Develop and grow a portfolio of accounts through prospecting, referrals, and proactive account management, with a focus on West Michigan.
Prepare and present proposals, quotations, and contracts tailored to customer requirements.
Negotiate pricing and terms that achieve sales targets while protecting margin.
Partner with Metals Recycling sales on shared accounts, bringing equipment and service opportunities forward from scrap-generating customers.
Interpret customer specifications, drawings, and blueprints to define scope and deliver accurate, manufacturable solutions.
Conduct on-site assessments of customer facilities and equipment to identify repair, rebuild, fabrication, and material handling needs (e.g., balers, compactors, shears, conveyors, containers).
Provide technical guidance on materials, machining processes (CNC milling, turning, boring, grinding), and fabrication methods (cutting, welding, forming, assembly).
Work with Engineering and Production to confirm feasibility, cost, and lead time before commitments are made.
Address technical questions, troubleshoot customer problems, and recommend improvements that reduce customer downtime and cost.
Build cost estimates with shop leadership covering labor, materials, outside services, and freight.
Deliver timely, accurate quotes and maintain a disciplined quote follow-up process.
Prepare service agreements and contracts in line with PADNOS pricing guidelines and margin targets.
Own the transition of sold work from sales to production, ensuring customer requirements, drawings, and due dates are clearly communicated.
Coordinate with Production, Purchasing, and Logistics to support on-time delivery and quality of finished parts and equipment.
Monitor job progress against customer expectations and resolve issues before they affect the customer.
Support internal ordering and processing of vendor parts for PADNOS operations.
Stay current on machining and fabrication technologies, customer industry trends, and the competitive landscape to identify growth opportunities.
Use customer feedback and win/loss data to refine sales strategy and service offerings.
Support evaluation of acquisition and partnership opportunities that expand external sales capability.
Represent PADNOS at trade shows, customer events, and industry networking functions.
Maintain accurate records of accounts, opportunities, quotes, and customer interactions in the CRM system.
Provide regular reports on sales performance, pipeline, forecasts, and market insights to leadership.
Ensure customer-site visits, recommendations, and delivered work comply with PADNOS and customer safety standards and applicable regulations.