Technical Sales Engineer – Automotive R&D

About the role

Job Title: Technical Sales Engineer (R&D Engineering)
Location: Litchfield, MI (Onsite)
Duration: Full Time / Direct Hire
Direct Client Need
Industry: Automotive
Department: Automotive R&D Engineering

We are seeking a highly skilled Technical Sales Engineer to join our Automotive Client's R&D Engineering team.

In this dynamic role, you will bridge the gap between innovation and market execution, serving as the essential technical conduit between our clients and internal engineering teams.

You will proactively engage with existing and potential customers, analyze complex engineering requirements, and showcase our cutting-edge product developments.

If you possess strong mechanical engineering fundamentals, hands-on 3D modeling skills, and exceptional client-facing communication, this role offers an exciting opportunity to drive long-term product roadmaps and commercial success.

Responsibilities

• Initiate and maintain strong contact with potential and existing customers to demonstrate current R&D product developments, breakthrough capabilities, and technical solutions.
• Conduct deep technical discussions to thoroughly evaluate customer-specific requirements, identifying new product design opportunities or enhancements to existing systems.
• Act as the core technical link between customers and internal engineering teams; transform customer feedback and complex field requirements into clear, actionable engineering design inputs.
• Closely support RFQ (Request for Quotation) activities, ensuring all underlying technical specifications are transparently understood and accurately captured in commercial proposals.
• Maintain an exhaustive understanding of company product lines, manufacturing processes, and specific material configurations (e.g., ultrasonic welding capabilities, material compatibility).
• Perform competitor benchmarking and monitor evolving industry trends to actively steer our future R&D strategies and long-term product roadmaps.

Requirements

• 3–5 years of experience in product engineering, technical sales, or business development—ideally within the automotive or manufacturing sectors.
• 4-year degree in Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Technology, or an equivalent technical discipline.
• Strong working knowledge of critical manufacturing practices, including Design for Manufacturability (DFM), Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA), and Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T).
• Hands-on ability to use 3D software to open, manipulate, evaluate, and section complex design models.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with a proven ability to distill and articulate highly complex technical concepts into clear language for non-technical stakeholders.
• Natural capability to foster trusted, long-term working relationships across diverse customer departments, ranging from technical engineering groups to commercial purchasing teams.
• Expert command of the Microsoft Office Suite; hands-on experience using customer relationship management (CRM) platforms (e.g., Salesforce) is highly preferred.
• Comfortable operating in an open-seating office environment with the flexibility to adapt and change physical desk locations daily as team demands shift.
• Willingness to undergo periodic travel via air, car, or train to visit other company operations, clients, and suppliers.
• Ability to safely lift and move equipment or samples up to 20 pounds.
• Ability to maintain high focus within a lively open office structure that includes background noise from cell phones, active group collaborative sessions, and virtual meetings.