Sales Development Associate – Aerospace and Industrial

Job Title/Location:

Sales Development Associate – Aerospace and Industrial/Oxford, CT

Position Summary

The Sales Development Associate role is designed for recent college graduates and early-career professionals seeking a long-term career in Aerospace or Industrial sales across RBC's divisions. Through RBC's comprehensive Rotational Development Program, associates build a strong foundation in technical, engineering, product, and operational knowledge by working directly within key functional areas. During these structured rotations, participants gain hands-on experience with RBC's products, manufacturing processes, and internal workflows while supporting real customer needs through technical problem-solving and service coordination.

This immersive, cross-functional exposure equips associates with a deep understanding of how products are engineered, produced, and applied in the field. By bridging technical teams and customer-facing functions, the program develops the critical product expertise, commercial acumen, and practical experience needed to become highly effective Outside Sales Engineers and contribute to RBC's Aerospace or Industrial sales organizations across its divisions.

The rotational development program curriculum integrates a balanced mix of internal and external learning opportunities, self-directed training, collaborative coaching, and hands-on project work to ensure comprehensive career development and equip associates with the practical skills and core competencies essential to success.

Career Development and Key Responsibilities

• Build a foundational understanding of RBC's product management workflow and Product Lifecycle Management.
• Build comprehensive knowledge of RBC's full product portfolio, specialty products, and each division's major products and applications.
• Learn RBC's market research, data analysis, and insight-generation methodologies.
• Gain foundational knowledge of pricing strategies, negotiation techniques, and account management principles.
• Develop data-driven proposals, research, and trend analysis to support product strategy, market positioning, audits, and customer inquiries.
• Gain cross-functional exposure to supply chain, purchasing, quality, inventory control, and planning.
• Manage service-related issues to reinforce customer trust and establish credibility as a trusted technical advisor.
• Apply operational and technical knowledge to support customer requirements and product strategies.
• Serve as a liaison between technical teams and customer-facing functions, bridging engineering expertise with sales responsibilities.
• Develop a clear understanding of end-to-end manufacturing processes, next-level assemblies, and internal operational capabilities.
• Develop technical and troubleshooting competency through direct customer interaction and application support.
• Provide actionable feedback to internal departments to improve products, processes, and overall customer experience.

Education and Experience

• Associate's degree or higher in Business, Communications, Marketing, Industrial distribution, or related field.
• Coursework or exposure in communications, sales, or marketing preferred.
• Familiarity with technical sales or mechanical/engineering concepts is a plus.
• Prior experience in customer service, market research, sales, or other customer-facing roles preferred.

Compensation & Benefits:

• RBC Bearings offers competitive pay and benefits including Medical, Dental, Vision, 401K match, and paid time off.

Wage Range: $45,000 - $65,000

• The salary range information is only applicable to Connecticut. This range is the company's good faith and reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role based on the position's responsibilities, qualifications, experience, and other relevant factors. Actual compensation may vary depending on the selected candidate's specific experience, education, skills, and other relevant factors.

Additional Information

U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residency is required due to ITAR/EAR compliance.

RBC Bearings is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment

About RBC Bearings

RBC Bearings Incorporated (NYSE: RBC) is a leading global manufacturer of highly engineered precision bearings, components, and essential systems serving the industrial, aerospace, and defense markets. For more than a century, RBC has built a reputation for delivering innovative engineering solutions and world-class manufacturing capabilities that support mission-critical applications around the world.

Our success is driven by a commitment to technical excellence, continuous improvement, and a customer-focused approach. We specialize in the design and manufacture of precision-engineered products that perform in demanding environments where quality, reliability, and performance are paramount.

With operations spanning multiple countries and manufacturing facilities across the globe, RBC Bearings offers employees the opportunity to contribute to meaningful work, collaborate with industry-leading experts, and support customers in some of the world's most advanced and dynamic industries. As we continue to grow, we remain focused on fostering innovation, developing talent, and delivering exceptional value to our customers and shareholders.

RBC Bearings is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment.