Applications Engineer

Job Purpose

• This position is responsible for selecting, quoting, troubleshooting and promoting all IFS pump and associated control products, to domestic and international sales channels.
• All activities will be focused on assisting internal and external sales personnel and to expand IFS’s product market share into key growth markets worldwide.

Responsibilities

• Identify key pump selection criteria by direct interaction with distributor or end user.
• Determine major market area of end user or distributor pump application.
• Refer end users to established IFS distributor network covering four major marketing areas; Industrial, WasteWater, Mining, and Dewatering.
• Select application appropriate products from entire IFS product line; including pumps, controls, pump replacement and spare parts, and submersible pump accessories.
• Prepare product quotations from published price lists and product data sheets to assist users or established IFS distributors.
• Identify major competitor’s products and their IFS equivalents.
• Identify key product applications and product features along with identification of new potential applications.
• Identify pumped liquid physical properties and match with available product materials.
• Identify control panel requirements and logic. Develop engineered panel requirements with the assistance of the Controls group.
• Identify electrical power requirements and match to available IFS product characteristics.
• Assist sales, marketing and engineering personnel develop and conduct product promotional and/or product training programs.
• Participate in companywide continuous improvement and similar quality efforts to help grow the operation.
• Able to perform daily work safely with full consideration for fellow employees and in full compliance with OSHA safety standards.
• Duties, responsibilities and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Additional Information

• Reports to

• Inside Sales Manager

• Salary

• $70,000–$85,000 base (Based on experience)

• Travel

• Some travel required

• Work Authorization

• No visa sponsorship

• Relocation

• Hiring local candidates only

• Relocation assistance NOT offered

• Interview Process- Round 1: Microsoft Teams interview with Hiring Manager

• Round 2: Onsite interview with team and company leadership

• Team Structure- Team of 5 Applications Engineers

• Reports to Applications/Inside Sales Manager

• Part of Inside Sales organization

• Hiring Manager Sizzle (Excellent Recruiting Talking Points)- These are some of the strongest selling points from the intake call.

• Outstanding collaborative culture

• Excellent mentoring from senior engineers

• Exposure beyond engineering into manufacturing, production, commercial operations, and business margins

• Cross-functional interaction with Engineering, Production, Sales, and Customer Service

• Great opportunity for early-career engineers to broaden business knowledge

• Low-turnover, supportive team environment

• Previous employee left on positive terms after praising the team culture

• BS degree, preferably in engineering.

• 3+ years of experience in a sales engineering type role.

• Ability to read and understand pump performance graphs. Knowledge of pump construction and materials selection a plus.

• Ability to read and understand engineering drawings and electrical schematics. Familiarity with control panel logic a plus.

• Ability to price and prepare formal product quotations. Familiarity with municipal specifications and bid processes a plus.

• Strong mechanical and electrical aptitude or training.

• Familiar with sales distribution channels.

• Ability to understand and communicate technical issues.

• Must have a good business aptitude with strong customer service skills.

• Must have very good technical and non-technical communication skills.

• Ability to manage and prioritize variable workload.

• Ability to use computers and software programs including:- MS Outlook

• MS Word

• MS Excel

• CAD/SolidWorks a plus

• Experience with an ERP system, Microsoft Dynamics/Business Central a plus.

• Can be productive with minimal supervision.

• Has the ability to learn quickly and advance upon what has been learned.

• Strong attention to detail.

• Requires good communications and teamwork skills.

• Ability to travel to support outside sales and training efforts.

Physical Requirements

• Constantly sitting and using standard office equipment (i.e., computer, keyboard, mouse, phone).
• Occasionally standing and walking.

Must Have

• Experience interacting with customers and the ability to explain technical concepts in simple terms.
• Mechanical engineering background or demonstrated mechanical aptitude with an understanding of mechanical engineering and fluid dynamics.
• Bachelor's degree (Engineering preferred but not required if technical aptitude is demonstrated).
• Authorized to work in the U.S. (No sponsorship available).
• Strong technical problem-solving ability in an engineering/application support environment.

Nice to Have

• Pump industry experience
• Pump performance curve interpretation
• Knowledge of pump construction and material selection
• Control panel logic
• Municipal specifications and bid process experience
• CAD/SolidWorks
• Microsoft Dynamics / Business Central ERP