The Ultimate Career Resource For a Sales Engineer
When it comes to sales, there are endless opportunities in the market.
From a sales agent to a sales engineer, you can opt for any of these possibilities.
In ten years, you can expect to see a growth rate of 6.36% in this field.
So, if you are looking to follow a sales engineer career path, you are in the right place.
Here is everything you need to know to make the best decision.
Sales Engineer Information
| Official Job Title | Sales Engineer |
| Average Salary | $85,287 |
| Stress Level | High |
| Work/Life | Low |
| Job Satisfaction | Average |
| Career Advancement | High |
Sales Engineer Job Description
Here is a comprehensive job description of a sales engineer to help you understand their roles and duties:
What Is A Sales Engineer?
The sales process is extensive, and sales engineers help facilitate this process through their expertise.
The primary role of a sales engineer is to bridge the gap between product development and sales.
Sales engineers use their technical knowledge to help sales representatives persuade potential clients to choose their product.
What Does A Sales Engineer Do On A Daily Basis?
A day in the life of a sales engineer includes assisting customers with advanced scientific product needs and technical equipment.
Because of this, a sales engineer should have advanced knowledge of the component functions and scientific processes of the product.
In addition, such knowledge helps them deliver presentations to customers.
Besides that, a sales engineer will troubleshoot and identify product defects.
Sales engineers also upgrade various systems in the sales process for optimization.
Finally, sales engineers also do routine tasks like processing payments, settling complaints, and arranging deliveries.
Responsibilities, Duties, & Roles Of A Sales Engineer
Sales engineers’ responsibilities, duties, and roles include preparing and delivering technical presentations explaining a product to customers.
Besides that, they communicate with customers to identify equipment needs and determine system requirements.
Sales engineers also communicate with the sales team to offer support and identify customer preferences.
The duties of a sales engineer also include helping clients solve problems with the equipment.
They can recommend better materials or equipment to clients.
It allows the clients to decrease their costs and increase production.
Sales Engineer Salary
Here is the breakdown of a sales engineer’s salary, depending on which stage of their career they are at:
Average Salary
The average salary of a sales engineer comes to $85,287 per annum.
Of course, location matters as states like Colorado, Virginia, and Washington pay the highest sales engineer salaries.
Starting Salary
The entry-level salary of sales engineers comes to $76,300 per year.
Almost all sales engineers start with this figure and then work upwards.
Senior Salary
The senior positions of sales engineers earn more than $109,570 per year.
The top positions in this career path earn this amount.
How To Become A Sales Engineer
Here is everything you need to know about becoming a sales engineer:
The Entry Level: Certification, Training & Degree
Almost all organizations will require sales engineers to have a bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related field.
You can study electrical, mechanical, or business engineering if you want to opt for this career.
74% of sales engineers in the U.S. have a bachelor’s degree, while 12% have an associate degree.
The top certifications you require for this job are Certified Sales Professional, Engineer in Training Certification, and many others.
The certification that is best for you will depend on where you want to work.
You can research the demand for such certifications in your area for a sales engineer job.
Other Skill Sets, Requirements & Qualifications
The right skillset can set apart great sales engineers from average ones.
Important skills you require for this job include customer service, interpersonal skills, CRM, technical sales skills, and much more.
These are the core skills that you require to execute your job with efficiency.
How Long Does It Take To Become A Sales Engineer?
It will take you a few years to finish your bachelor’s degree.
Besides that, you also need to have some experience in the sales field.
Many organizations will also ask for previous experience details before hiring you.
Is It Hard To Become A Sales Engineer?
As long as you have the proper education and skills, it is not challenging to become a sales engineer.
You can easily find jobs as long as you meet the proper requirements.
Sales Engineer Career Paths
Here is everything you need to know about the sales engineer career path:
The Sales Engineer Roadmap
The sales engineer roadmap is not challenging at all.
The first step to take is to earn a degree in engineering or a relevant field.
You can also seek an internship during your degree to make your resume better.
After finishing your degree, you can look for job prospects and begin working.
You might start with another position, but you can make your way to a sales engineer position if you work hard.
During this time, it is essential to opt for certifications and training.
Training and certifications will ensure you are ahead of the competition.
Besides that, you need to keep up with the market trends of your career path.
So, don’t be afraid to branch out and obtain certifications.
Projections For Growth In Sales Engineer Jobs
The growth rate projection of a sales engineer is 6.36%.
Therefore, you will slowly advance in this field in a matter of ten years.
You will begin at an entry-level position, and after working hard, you can quickly obtain a senior position.
That is where the importance of certifications and training comes in.
In Summary: Is Sales Engineer A Good Career?
Remember that any sales field is highly competitive and stressful.
So, it is a good career if you have the drive to be at the top and earn well.
The drive and passion will help you sustain this career path for a long time.
Working Conditions
Here is what you need to know about the working conditions of a sales engineer:
Can A Sales Engineer Work Remotely From Home?
Yes, sales engineers can work remotely from home.
You can review and secure offers, sell products to customers, assist other sales members, and much more.
However, it might be difficult to execute this job from home.
How Many Hours Does A Sales Engineer Work?
A sales engineer works more than forty hours a week to meet all client requirements and sales goals.
However, the hours can be irregular and longer.
That is why sales engineers have the freedom to determine their schedule, depending on the company.
Can A Sales Engineer Work Part-Time?
Yes, sales engineers can opt for part-time jobs, but that is never the case.
Even if they work part-time officially, the sales engineers constantly communicate with clients and their team.
That is why the job is never-ending and can extend official hours.
What Are The Average Vacation Days Of A Sales Engineer
The average vacation days of a sales engineer can vary between two to three weeks.
Of course, that depends on the employer and the organization.
Sales engineers can use this time to unwind, relax, and escape from the competitive sales field.
Alternative Careers & Similar Jobs to a Sales Engineer
- Sales Analyst
- Product Manager
- Budget Analyst
- Operations Analyst
- Data Analyst
- Business Analyst
- Financial Analyst
- Market Research Analyst
- Business Development Manager
- Auditor
- Finance Manager
Resume Tips
If you are looking to create the best sales engineer resume, here is what you need to know:
- Create a sales engineer skills section to incorporate the most important keywords from the job description
- Always highlight your sales engineer certifications and training
- Ensure that the resume is ATS-friendly
- If you have a social media page such as LinkedIn that showcases your skills, include that
- Add all your skills and education
Interview Questions
Here are some key questions you can ask sales engineers as an employer:
Q1: How do you expand a sales territory?
Why it works: It showcases an extensive knowledge of networking, sales, and problem-solving skills.
Q2: What do you do when your organization launches a new product?
Why it works: It showcases the candidate’s planning, preparation, and research skills.
Q3: What is a typical sales call like for a sales engineer?
Why it works: It shows the candidate’s ability to handle customers with effective communication.
Jobs Related To Sales Engineer
Some other jobs related to sales engineers include:
- Sales Consultant
- Sales Agent
- Trainee Engineer
- Sales Manager
For HR Manager: Tips For Hiring A Sales Engineer
As an HR manager, here are the top tips for applying when hiring a sales engineer:
Key Characteristics To Look For In A Sales Engineer
Here are some critical skills to look for in a sales engineer:
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Familiarity with remote access software
- Extensive technical and scientific knowledge
- Ability to handle clients and lead a team
- Planning, research, and organizational skills
Minimum Level Of Education & Experience
A sales engineer’s minimum level of education is a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.
Of course, the candidate must also have a few years of experience as a sales engineer or any other relevant sales position.
It is also crucial to have a few certifications that offer technical knowledge.
Resources
- https://resources.workable.com/sales-engineer-interview-questions
- https://www.betterteam.com/technical-sales-engineer-interview-questions
- https://www.truity.com/career-profile/sales-engineer
- https://blog.hubspot.com/sales/how-to-become-sales-engineer
- https://www.zippia.com/sales-engineer-jobs/
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/sales/sales-engineers.htm
- https://study.com/articles/sales_engineer_career_growth.html
- https://datausa.io/profile/soc/sales-engineers