Job Title: Applications / Sales EngineerJob DescriptionThe Applications / Sales Engineer provides specialized technical expertise to support the Inside Sales Desk in preparing accurate quotations and configuring power distribution solutions based on customer drawings and specifications. This role translates complex project requirements into clear equipment selections, documented application decisions, and complete proposal packages, while ensuring a smooth transition from sales to engineering and project execution. Working closely with customers, consulting engineers, electrical contractors, and internal teams, the Applications / Sales Engineer balances technical fit, manufacturability, cost, and delivery requirements within an approved product portfolio.
Responsibilities
- Serve as the primary technical resource for the Inside Sales Desk on equipment selection, ratings, configurations, accessories, and application questions.
- Review incoming requests for quotation for technical completeness, identifying missing information, drawing conflicts, and specification requirements before quotations are prepared.
- Prepare or validate equipment takeoffs, bills of material, configuration records, and technical proposal content so Inside Sales can quote a clearly defined and accurate scope.
- Respond promptly to technical questions, prioritize requests in coordination with the sales team, and escalate nonstandard applications to appropriate engineering or product authorities.
- Train Inside Sales personnel on product applications and maintain selection guides, standard configurations, technical FAQs, and quotation review checklists.
- Interpret customer single-line diagrams, electrical plans, panel schedules, equipment schedules, specifications, and bid addenda to define the required solution.
- Collaborate directly with customers to clarify loads, voltage, current, available fault current, protection, metering, controls, enclosure requirements, space constraints, and installation interfaces.
- Configure equipment and integrated assemblies within approved capabilities, evaluating interfaces among switchgear, switchboards, panelboards, transformers, transfer equipment, and modular assemblies as required.
- Prepare preliminary single-line diagrams, layouts, configuration summaries, and specification compliance reviews, clearly documenting assumptions, exclusions, deviations, and required customer approvals.
- Explain technical choices to customers and internal stakeholders and propose practical alternatives that address performance, footprint, cost, constructability, and delivery needs.
- Coordinate with engineering, manufacturing, procurement, and suppliers to confirm configuration feasibility, component compatibility, and technical constraints before commitments are made.
- Provide technical input for costing and lead-time assessments and support Sales in resolving proposal questions and evaluating specification changes.
- Maintain revision control for customer documents, equipment selections, and proposal scope, identifying the technical and commercial impact of changes.
- Prepare complete order handoff packages that include accepted configurations, bills of material, marked-up drawings, compliance reviews, approvals, and unresolved items with assigned owners.
- Support submittal clarifications and early project execution questions related to the quoted scope, sharing lessons learned to improve future configurations and quotation accuracy.
- Partner daily with Inside Sales and collaborate with outside sales, engineering, product management, manufacturing, procurement, and project management to ensure alignment on technical scope.
- Own application recommendations and technical scope documentation within approved rules, routing custom designs, unresolved compliance questions, and changes affecting equipment ratings or certification to the authorized engineering team.
- Contribute to measurable outcomes such as timely technical responses, accurate equipment selections and bills of material, clear treatment of specification deviations, complete order handoffs, reduced rework from quotation errors, and increased Inside Sales capability and customer confidence.
Essential Skills
- Bachelors degree in electrical engineering, electrical engineering technology, or a related technical discipline; equivalent relevant education and equipment application experience may be considered.
- Three or more years of relevant experience in electrical equipment applications, technical sales support, estimating, quotation engineering, or electrical design, preferably within a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
- Ability to independently interpret electrical drawings and specifications and translate them into equipment selections and clearly documented scope.
- Working knowledge of power distribution equipment, including voltage and current ratings, interrupting and withstand ratings, grounding, protective devices, metering, and enclosure selection.
- Familiarity with applicable NEC, UL, ANSI, IEEE, and NEMA requirements and the ability to recognize issues that require specialist engineering review.
- Strong customer communication skills, including the ability to discuss technical requirements with consulting engineers, electrical contractors, and end users.
- Proficient technical writing skills for preparing clear proposals, configuration summaries, compliance reviews, and documentation of assumptions and deviations.
- Strong organization and problem-solving skills with the ability to manage concurrent requests, multiple projects, and competing deadlines.
- Proficiency with Excel and document/PDF markup tools for bills of material, takeoffs, and drawing markups.
- Experience using or learning CRM, ERP, and equipment configuration systems in a sales or engineering environment.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- 4 to 6 years of experience within a fast-paced manufacturing environment working with electrical or electro-mechanical distribution equipment.
- Experience with low-voltage and medium-voltage power distribution equipment and applications.
- Exposure to data center or industrial projects and integrated modular power assemblies.
- Familiarity with UL standards, including UL 891, and other relevant UL, ANSI, IEEE, and NEMA requirements.
- Experience with AutoCAD or similar drawing tools for preparing or reviewing single-line diagrams, layouts, and equipment drawings.
- Background in equipment submittals, specification compliance matrices, and supplier coordination.
- Hands-on experience with switchgear, switchboards, panelboards, transformers, transfer equipment, and electro-mechanical distribution solutions.
- Experience in quoting, estimating, and sales support for electrical distribution projects.
- Ability to develop and maintain selection guides, standard configurations, and technical FAQs for internal sales teams.
- Comfort working closely with manufacturing, engineering, product management, procurement, and project management teams in a collaborative environment.
Work EnvironmentThis role operates in a dynamic, fast-paced manufacturing and technical sales environment focused on electrical and electro-mechanical power distribution solutions. You work closely with Inside Sales and cross-functional teams, using tools such as Excel, CRM and ERP systems, document and PDF markup applications, and AutoCAD or similar CAD software to interpret drawings, configure equipment, and prepare proposals. The position involves regular interaction with customers, consulting engineers, and electrical contractors, requiring clear communication and structured documentation. Work is primarily performed in an office or hybrid office/manufacturing setting, with routine access to engineering and production resources to confirm configuration feasibility and component compatibility. The culture emphasizes collaboration, technical rigor, continuous improvement, and sharing lessons learned to reduce rework and increase customer confidence. Dress is typically professional business or business casual, appropriate for both office collaboration and occasional visits to manufacturing or project sites. Job Type & LocationThis is a Contract to Hire position based out of Cudahy, WI. Pay and BenefitsThe pay range for this position is $40.00 - $60.00/hr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits
available for this temporary role may include the following:
Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave) Job Type & LocationThis is a Contract to Hire position based out of Cudahy, WI. Application DeadlineThis position is anticipated to close on Nov 17, 2026. Workplace TypeThis is a fully onsite position in Cudahy,WI.About Actalent
Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.
The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.
If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.
San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Massachusetts Lie Detector:
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):
We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.