Sales Engineer

Your Fit

Income

$122K

Preparation

Considerable

Growth

4.7%

Definition
Your fit with this career
How much they earn
What they do
Job satisfaction
How to become

What is a Sales Engineer?

A Sales Engineer is a professional who combines technical knowledge with sales skills to provide advice and support on a range of products, particularly technical or scientific products. They bridge the gap between technical expertise and customer needs in the sales process.

Sample job titles:

Business Development Engineer, Product Sales Engineer, Sales Engineer, Technical Marketing Engineer

Your test results

Why this fit score?

The fit report shows your areas of fit and misfit with Sales Engineer.

Fit report

Test scores

The scores report summarizes what we learned about you. It shows your results on everything measured in the career test.

Scores report

How much does a Sales Engineer earn

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, typical income (in USD) in 2024 was...

Bottom 10%	Bottom 25%	Median (average)	Top 25%	Top 10%
$71K per year	$91K per year	$122K per year	$159K per year	$203K per year

Compared to other careers: Median is $72K above the national average.

See income by country/state/province

What does a Sales Engineer do?

Work environment

Sales Engineers typically work for companies in the technology, manufacturing, or scientific sectors. Their work environment may include offices, research facilities, and client sites, with considerable time spent traveling to meet with clients. They often work collaboratively with other sales personnel and engineering teams.

Quick task list

Understands customer needs and demonstrates how a product meets those needs.
Collaborates with sales teams to understand client requirements.
Provides technical presentations and product demonstrations.
Negotiates and finalizes sales contracts.
Offers post-sales support and troubleshooting.

See full list of tasks with expert relevance ratings

Areas of specialization

Software Sales Engineering: Specializing in the sale of software products and services.
Medical Equipment Sales Engineering: Focusing on sales of medical devices and technology.
Industrial Sales Engineering: Specializing in industrial equipment and machinery.
Telecommunications Sales Engineering: Concentrating on telecommunications systems and equipment.
Environmental Technology Sales Engineering: Focused on products related to environmental protection and sustainability.

Description

Sales Engineers play a crucial role in the sales of complex scientific and technological products. They need to have a deep understanding of the products they sell and the scientific or technical processes involved. This knowledge allows them to explain product benefits in a way that customers can understand, bridging the gap between technical expertise and practical application.

Effective communication and interpersonal skills are vital for Sales Engineers, as they must articulate complex information clearly and persuasively. They often work in fast-paced environments and need to be adaptable and resourceful, able to respond to changing customer needs and technological developments.

A career as a Sales Engineer can be both challenging and rewarding, combining technical problem-solving with the human elements of sales and customer interaction. It requires staying current with technological advancements and continuously developing both engineering and sales skills.

Job Satisfaction

Sources of satisfaction

Combining technical expertise with interpersonal interaction.
The challenge and reward of tailoring solutions to meet specific customer needs.
Opportunities for innovation and staying at the forefront of technological advancements.

You might make a good Sales Engineer if you are...

Technically minded with a strong understanding of engineering principles.
A skilled communicator, able to simplify complex concepts.
Interested in sales and customer relations.
Adaptable and enjoy problem-solving.
Eager to stay updated on technological and industry trends.

Pros:

High demand in various industries with good earning potential.
Opportunities to work with cutting-edge technology and innovations.
Dynamic work environment with a blend of technical and interpersonal tasks.

Cons:

Can involve extensive travel and irregular hours.
Requires constant learning to keep up with technological changes.
Sales targets and client expectations can be demanding.

How to become a Sales Engineer

Typical education

A bachelor's degree in engineering, computer science, or a related technical field is usually required. Additional training in sales, business, or marketing can also be beneficial.

High school preparation

Courses:

Mathematics and Physics to build a solid foundation in technical subjects.
Communication or Public Speaking for developing presentation skills.
Business Studies to understand basic principles of marketing and sales.

Extra-Curricular Activities:

Joining science clubs or engineering-focused groups.
Participating in debate or public speaking clubs to enhance communication skills.
Engaging in team projects or competitions that involve problem-solving and innovation.

Preparation after high school

Pursuing a bachelor's degree in engineering, computer science, or a related field.
Gaining experience through internships in sales or technical roles.
Taking courses or certifications in sales, marketing, or business communication.
Attending industry conferences and networking events to build professional contacts.

More resources

National Society of Sales Engineers (NSSE) - Offers resources and networking opportunities for sales engineers.
American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) - Provides educational resources and career development for engineering education.
Sales Engineering Blog - Shares insights and tips specific to the sales engineering field.
IEEE - The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers - Offers resources and publications beneficial for those interested in electrical or electronics engineering sales.
HubSpot Sales Blog - Provides sales tips and strategies that can be useful for sales engineers.

Similar careers

Similarity is based on what people in the careers do, what they know, and what they are called. The process of establishing similarity lists is described in this white paper.