Sales Engineering Manager

Pelican • Torrance, CA

123d • $125,000 - $150,000

About The Position

Pelican is seeking a customer-focused Sales Engineering Manager to lead the development of custom protective packaging solutions from concept through production. The role partners with customers, Sales, Engineering, and Manufacturing to solve technical challenges and deliver innovative packaging solutions. The manager serves as the technical lead for multiple customer programs, combining engineering expertise, project management, and customer collaboration to deliver high-quality, manufacturable solutions. The position is located in Torrance, California.

Requirements

• At least 5 years of experience in technical sales, sales engineering, packaging engineering, program management, product development, or a related customer-facing technical role.
• Experience developing and supporting custom packaging solutions, protective packaging systems, engineered foam applications, reusable transport packaging, or related industrial products.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, design for manufacturability (DFM), cost drivers, and operational execution within a production environment.
• Ability to manage multiple customer programs while balancing technical requirements, timelines, budgets, and business objectives.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams and coordinating efforts across Sales, Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Quality, and Operations.
• Strong commercial acumen, including evaluating project profitability, margin impact, risk, and business viability.
• Excellent customer-facing communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills, including engagement with engineering, procurement, operations, and executive stakeholders.
• Proven problem-solving and analytical skills, including assessing technical challenges, identifying risks, and developing practical solutions.
• Experience supporting proposal development, technical presentations, customer requirements gathering, and solution development.
• Strong project management skills, including planning, prioritization, resource coordination, and execution tracking.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and Outlook.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with ERP, CRM, CAD, or project management systems.

Responsibilities

• Partner with Sales and customers to develop technical packaging solutions that meet performance, cost, and manufacturability requirements.
• Lead customer projects from concept through production, managing scope, priorities, timelines, and technical execution.
• Serve as the primary technical advisor and day-to-day customer contact throughout the project lifecycle.
• Collaborate with customer engineering and procurement teams to define requirements and develop custom packaging solutions.
• Design engineered foam cushioning systems, shock-isolated assemblies, reusable transport containers, and other custom protective packaging solutions.
• Evaluate opportunities by balancing technical feasibility, manufacturing capability, commercial viability, and project risk.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams across Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Quality, Estimating, and Sales to ensure successful project execution.
• Manage multiple customer programs simultaneously while proactively identifying and resolving technical and operational challenges.
• Drive process improvements that enhance manufacturability, design standardization, and quoting efficiency.
• Support customer presentations, technical training, and solution demonstrations for customers and internal teams.
• Identify emerging technologies, market trends, and customer needs to support innovation and business growth.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Competitive paid time off plans, holiday pay, and opportunities to purchase extra vacation.
• 401(k) plan with immediate match.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Pet insurance.
• Health Savings Account contribution.
• Wellness Discount Program.
• Global Mental Wellness Program.
• Quarterly Employee Celebration Days.
• Peer-to-peer recognition program.
• Service recognition program.
• Company-paid life and disability plans.
• Employee discount program on Pelican products, apparel, and gear.
• Employee referral program.
• Free parking with EV charging station.
• 10 paid holidays per year.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: No Education Listed