Sales Engineer – Aerospace
POSITION SUMMARY
A leading manufacturer of precision cutting tool solutions is seeking an experienced Sales Engineer – Aerospace to support and grow business within a regional territory.
This position will be responsible for developing relationships with aerospace manufacturers, end-user customers, distributors, integrated suppliers, and other channel partners. The Sales Engineer will provide both commercial and technical support across a broad portfolio of precision cutting tool solutions, including engineered and special tooling, drilling, holemaking, reaming, threading, and milling applications.
The ideal candidate will bring a strong combination of aerospace industry knowledge, cutting tool/application expertise, and territory sales experience. This individual should be comfortable identifying new business opportunities, developing existing accounts, troubleshooting machining applications, and working closely with engineering and manufacturing teams to develop customer-specific solutions.
The position will also involve periodic time working from the company's Southern California facility to develop a deeper understanding of internal operations, engineering capabilities, product offerings, and customer applications.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
• Develop and grow sales throughout an assigned regional territory by building relationships with end users, distributors, integrated suppliers, and channel partners.
• Identify, prospect, qualify, and secure new customer opportunities, with a strong emphasis on aerospace manufacturing accounts.
• Manage and expand existing customer relationships by identifying additional applications and opportunities for growth.
• Provide technical recommendations and application support involving precision cutting tools used in drilling, holemaking, reaming, threading, milling, and related machining processes.
• Work directly with customer engineering, manufacturing, and operations teams to understand applications, challenges, quality requirements, and productivity objectives.
• Review customer specifications, prints, and blueprints and collaborate with internal engineering resources to develop quotations and tooling solutions.
• Support tooling trials, part run-offs, and new application development, including troubleshooting, technical support, process improvement, and quality considerations.
• Develop strategies with distributors, integrated suppliers, and other channel partners to increase market penetration and generate new business.
• Track and follow up on tooling recommendations, testing programs, cost-savings initiatives, and proposed solutions.
• Conduct product and application training for machine operators, manufacturing engineers, management teams, distributors, and other customer personnel.
• Develop territory sales plans and account strategies aligned with established growth objectives.
• Collaborate closely with engineering, operations, customer service, and other internal teams to ensure effective customer support.
• Maintain accurate customer activity, opportunity, forecasting, and territory information within CRM and related sales planning systems.
• Achieve established sales targets and territory growth objectives.
• Assist with the investigation and resolution of product performance or warranty-related concerns when necessary.
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE
• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related technical discipline preferred; equivalent industry experience will also be considered.
• 5+ years of experience working with or supporting manufacturing environments, preferably involving aerospace machining.
• Demonstrated success in regional or territory sales, technical sales, application engineering, or a comparable customer-facing role.
• Strong knowledge of metal cutting and machining applications.
• Experience with cutting tool selection and application, particularly within drilling, holemaking, reaming, threading, and/or milling.
• Ability to calculate and recommend appropriate speeds and feeds.
• Ability to diagnose machining and cutting tool performance issues and recommend corrective solutions.
• Strong technical aptitude and the ability to communicate effectively with machinists, manufacturing engineers, purchasing professionals, and senior management.
• Demonstrated ability to develop new business and expand existing customer relationships within the aerospace manufacturing market.
• Experience successfully managing a territory while working independently from a home or remote office.
• Strong written, verbal, presentation, and relationship-building skills.
• Proficiency with CRM platforms, Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and related business technologies.
• Familiarity with manufacturing quality systems and methodologies such as CPK, PPK, and PPAP is beneficial.
• Strong mathematical, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
TRAVEL
Approximately 50–60% travel, including overnight travel, is expected throughout the assigned territory. A valid driver's license is required.
Periodic travel to and time working from the company's Southern California facility will also be required for training, collaboration, and continued development of product and operational knowledge.