Sales Engineer - Inside/Outside Sales

Rodney Hunt is a global technology and engineering leader focused on solving flow control challenges in the water and wastewater industry. We provide solutions for industrial and municipal markets.

About the role

Rodney Hunt is seeking a Sales Engineer to drive sales growth and expand market presence for our sluice gates and flow-control solutions. This position accommodates candidates at different stages of technical sales experience. Based on qualifications, technical expertise, industry experience, and sales ability, the successful candidate may be placed in either an Inside Sales Engineer or Outside Sales Engineer role. The Sales Engineer combines technical expertise with consultative selling to support municipal water and wastewater projects from early specification through project close.

Position Levels

Outside Sales Engineer

The Outside Sales Engineer is an experienced technical sales professional responsible for independently managing an assigned territory, developing customer relationships, pursuing strategic opportunities, and driving revenue growth. This role requires demonstrated success in consultative sales, strong technical aptitude, and the ability to work effectively with consulting engineers, contractors, municipalities, and other industry stakeholders.

Inside Sales Engineer

The Inside Sales Engineer is an entry-level or developing technical sales professional who supports the sales process from the office while building the technical, product, application, and customer-facing skills necessary for advancement to an Outside Sales Engineer position. This role works closely with Engineering, Estimating, Project Management, and experienced Sales Engineers, progressively assuming greater responsibility for customer relationships and sales activities.

Responsibilities

• Support and/or drive revenue growth within an assigned territory through proactive outreach, relationship development, and strategic project pursuit.
• Promote Rodney Hunt sluice gates and flow-control products to consulting engineers, contractors, manufacturer representatives, municipal agencies, and other industry stakeholders.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with customers, prospects, consulting engineers, contractors, and end users.
• Identify new business opportunities and track projects from initial specification through bid, award, and project close.
• Support or independently manage the full sales cycle, including lead generation, project tracking, bid follow-up, contract negotiation, and deal closure, based on experience level.
• Conduct product presentations and provide technical information to customers and prospective customers.
• Participate in trade shows, conferences, industry events, and customer meetings to represent and promote the Rodney Hunt brand.
• For the Outside Sales Engineer role, travel throughout the assigned territory, generally up to twice per month, to conduct product presentations, meet with end users, and visit consulting engineers, contractors, and other customers.

Technical and Application Support

• Provide technical expertise and application-specific solutions to ensure products meet project specifications, standards, and performance requirements.
• Read, interpret, and apply technical drawings, specifications, plans, and bid documents.
• Develop a strong understanding of Rodney Hunt products, sluice gate design, flow-control applications, and applicable industry standards.
• Support project specification efforts with an understanding of AWWA standards and gate design principles.
• Assist customers and internal teams in identifying appropriate product solutions for specific project requirements.
• Collaborate with Engineering and Estimating to develop accurate and competitive proposals.
• Apply engineering principles and technical knowledge to identify potential application issues and recommend appropriate solutions.

Project and Sales Administration

• Maintain accurate project and opportunity information within CRM systems.
• Prepare and maintain sales forecasts, pipeline reports, project updates, and territory performance information.
• Coordinate with internal Engineering, Estimating, Project Management, and other departments to ensure effective project handoff.
• Monitor project status, bid schedules, customer requirements, and competitive activity.
• Maintain organized records of customer interactions, opportunities, specifications, bids, and follow-up activities.

Development and Advancement – Inside Sales Engineer

• Participate in structured training and mentoring in product knowledge, technical applications, sales processes, industry standards, and customer relationship management.
• Work alongside experienced Outside Sales Engineers to gain exposure to customer meetings, site visits, presentations, trade shows, and territory management.
• Progressively assume responsibility for customer communication, project pursuit, product recommendations, and sales opportunities.
• Develop the skills and competencies necessary to independently manage customer relationships and an assigned territory.
• Demonstrate measurable progress toward the qualifications and performance expectations of an Outside Sales Engineer.

Requirements

Outside Sales Engineer

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, preferably Mechanical, Civil, or a related discipline.
• Typically 5 or more years of experience in capital equipment, engineered products, technical sales, and/or municipal water and wastewater projects.
• Demonstrated success in consultative or technical sales, preferably selling to municipalities, consulting engineers, EPC contractors, or similar customers.
• Strong technical aptitude, including demonstrated experience with AutoCAD and SolidWorks.
• Working knowledge of AWWA standards, gate design, and flow-control applications.
• Demonstrated ability to independently develop business, manage a territory, cultivate customer relationships, and close sales.
• Strong verbal, written, presentation, negotiation, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Experience using CRM systems such as SAP, Salesforce, or similar platforms.
• Ability and willingness to travel within an assigned territory and work effectively in a remote, territory-based environment.

Inside Sales Engineer

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, preferably Mechanical, Civil, or a related discipline, or equivalent technical education and experience.
• Entry-level candidates are encouraged to apply; internship, co-op, engineering project, manufacturing, technical sales, or municipal water/wastewater experience is a plus.
• Strong engineering fundamentals and technical aptitude with the ability to learn product applications, industry standards, and sales processes.
• Familiarity with AutoCAD and/or SolidWorks preferred.
• Ability to read and understand engineering drawings, specifications, and technical documentation.
• Strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Demonstrated initiative, curiosity, professionalism, and willingness to develop customer-facing sales skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with Engineering, Estimating, Project Management, and Sales.
• Familiarity with CRM systems, Microsoft Office, or similar business software is preferred.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience selling engineered products, capital equipment, or industrial products.
• Experience with municipal water and wastewater projects.
• Experience working with municipalities, consulting engineers, contractors, EPC firms, or manufacturer representatives.
• Knowledge of AWWA standards and/or water-control structures.
• Experience with sluice gates, gates, valves, flow-control equipment, or related products.
• Technical sales, engineering, estimating, project management, or manufacturing experience.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects, opportunities, and priorities simultaneously.
• Comfort interacting with customers and developing professional relationships.
• Willingness to travel and participate in customer visits, trade shows, conferences, and industry events.

Core Competencies

• Technical aptitude: Ability to understand engineering concepts and translate customer requirements into practical product solutions.
• Customer focus: Ability to establish credibility, understand customer needs, and develop long-term professional relationships.
• Communication: Ability to clearly communicate technical and commercial information to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Business development: Ability to identify opportunities, generate interest, and contribute to revenue growth.
• Problem solving: Ability to analyze project requirements and develop effective solutions.
• Organization: Ability to manage multiple projects, opportunities, deadlines, and customer requirements.
• Initiative: Self-motivated approach with a willingness to learn, take ownership, and pursue results.
• Collaboration: Ability to work effectively across Sales, Engineering, Estimating, Project Management, and other internal functions.
• Adaptability: Willingness to develop new skills and assume increasing responsibility as experience and performance grow.

Career Progression

The Inside Sales Engineer position is intended as a developmental pathway to an Outside Sales Engineer role for candidates who demonstrate the potential and desire to advance in technical sales. Progression will be based on demonstrated competency and performance, including proficiency in Rodney Hunt products, AWWA standards, technical proposal development, customer relationship management, and sales growth contribution.

Work Environment

The position may be structured as an Inside Sales Engineer or Outside Sales Engineer based on the selected candidate’s qualifications. The Outside Sales Engineer will operate primarily within an assigned territory with regular customer travel. The Inside Sales Engineer will primarily work from the office and participate in selected customer visits and field activities as part of the development program.

Benefits

• Health Insurance (95% of employee-only premium paid by company)
• Dental, vision, and life insurance
• Paid time off plus company-paid holidays
• 401K plan with 100% company match