National
| Median wages (2008) |
$39.95 hourly, $83,100 annual |
| Employment (2006) |
76,000 employees |
| Projected growth (2006-2016) |
Average (7% to 13%)
|
| Projected need (2006-2016) |
26,000 additional employees |
41-9031.00 - Sales Engineers
Sell business goods or services, the selling of which requires a technical background equivalent to a baccalaureate degree in engineering.
Sample of reported job titles:
Applications Engineer, Systems Engineer, Account Manager, Sales Engineer, Product Manager, Account Executive, Product Sales Engineer, Sales Executive, Technical Sales Manager
Tasks
- Plan and modify product configurations to meet customer needs.
- Confer with customers and engineers to assess equipment needs and to determine system requirements.
- Collaborate with sales teams to understand customer requirements, to promote the sale of company products, and to provide sales support.
- Secure and renew orders and arrange delivery.
- Develop, present, or respond to proposals for specific customer requirements, including request for proposal responses and industry-specific solutions.
- Sell products requiring extensive technical expertise and support for installation and use, such as material handling equipment, numerical-control machinery, and computer systems.
- Diagnose problems with installed equipment.
- Recommend improved materials or machinery to customers, documenting how such changes will lower costs or increase production.
- Prepare and deliver technical presentations that explain products or services to customers and prospective customers.
- Provide technical and non-technical support and services to clients or other staff members regarding the use, operation, and maintenance of equipment.
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Tools & Technology
Tools used in this occupation:
| Desktop computers |
| Mainframe computers |
| Notebook computers — Laptop computers |
| Personal computers |
Technology used in this occupation:
| Data base user interface and query software — Data entry software; IBM DB2; Microsoft SQL Server; Sybase SQL Server |
| Electronic mail software — Microsoft Exchange; Microsoft Outlook |
| Enterprise resource planning ERP software — Hyperion Solutions Hyperion System 9 Bi+; MicroStrategy Desktop; Oracle PeopleSoft; SAP Business One |
| Office suite software — Microsoft Office software |
| Presentation software — Microsoft PowerPoint; WebEx Sales Center |
| Project management software — Microsoft Project |
