sales engineer

Company Summary

The company is a Japanese-owned manufacturer that specializes in linear motion components, including linear bearings, ball screws, actuators, and related precision products. It maintains a strong presence in both direct sales to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and through established distribution channels.

Job Summary

West Coast Sales / Technical Sales Territory Role This is a field-based, territory sales position covering a large portion of California (primarily Central/Northern). The role involves selling linear motion products to OEMs and through distribution channels. The company prioritizes candidates with existing relationships and deep industry knowledge over exact product experience, as product specifics can be taught.

Responsibilities

• Manage and grow sales in an assigned West Coast territory
• Call on OEMs, distributors, advanced manufacturing companies, packaging equipment manufacturers, robotics firms, medical/lab device companies, and other industrial customers.
• Develop and maintain relationships with key accounts and distribution partners.
• Travel within the territory (regular day travel + periodic overnight stays/hotel nights as needed).
• Work collaboratively with both direct OEM customers and industrial distributors.
• Manage distribution relationships and channel partners in the territory.
• Inherit and grow existing accounts; earn commission credit for shipments driven by territory accounts

Requirements

• Experience in the motion control, industrial components, or closely related space (e.g., linear bearings/actuators, bearings, motors, gearheads, motion control systems, sensors, or similar technologies).
• Proven track record calling on similar customer types: OEMs in packaging, robotics, medical devices, lab equipment, advanced manufacturing, etc.
• Comfort with extensive territory travel (large geography, driving + occasional overnight stays).
• Ability to work effectively with both OEMs and distribution channels.
• Existing relationships with relevant accounts in the territory strongly preferred

Preferred Requirements

• Background from industrial/motion distributors (e.g., Motion Industries, Applied Industrial Technologies, or other power transmission/motion control houses)
• Engineering/technical background combined with sales experience
• Experience managing distributor relationships.
• Located within or near the Central Valley (Bakersfield–Fresno–Stockton–Chico corridor) to leverage local relationships
• Familiarity with the packaging industry concentration in the Central Valley.

Compensation / Benefits

• Base Salary Target: $100,000 - $120,000
• Guaranteed annual bonus
• Commission: 2% of sales above a set trigger
• Special commissions
• Company car (personal use allowed, taxable benefit), company credit card (for gas, travel, meals), cell phone, and laptop provided.
• Per diem for overnight travel: $45 (first/last day), $60 (middle days)
• Benefits: Comprehensive Blue Cross Blue Shield medical (PPO/HMO), dental, vision; single coverage fully paid, family plans available.

Location

• Field-based / remote within territory
• Core territory (current): Central/Northern California