Application Engineer

Group CBS Companies

Job Description 

Job Title:                     P&C Application Engineer

Department:               Production

Reports To:                 Director, Protection & Controls

FLSA Status:             Hourly, Non-Exempt, Full-Time

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JOB SUMMARY

Responsible for the leading the sales process, developing custom work scopes, and writing proposal for Protection & Controls solutions including system integration, relay upgrades, SCADA systems, NERC compliance, engineering evaluations, and other related engineering services. Serves as a key technical and commercial resource throughout the sales process, providing expertise to the internal sales team and external customers.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serve as the subject matter expert for system integration, protection and control, SCADA, relay modernization, and related engineering services during the sales process
• Work closely with internal sales staff and external customers as a technical sales resource with a strong understanding of the protection and control services market, providing guidance on opportunity development, solution selection, and proposal strategy
• Lead the sales process by conducting discovery meetings, developing scopes of work, preparing and presenting proposals, managing pipeline, and handing off awarded projects to the engineering team
• Develop technically accurate and commercially competitive proposals, including scope of work, labor estimates, material requirements, project assumptions, and mobilization schedules
• Maintain, develop, and grow relationships with internal sales teams, operations teams, and external customers
• Coordinate with internal departments to ensure the company has the manpower, test equipment, and other resources available to perform the proposed solutions
• Foster strong collaboration between sales, engineering, and operations teams to improve awareness, communication, opportunity development, and project success
• Create and deliver product presentations and lunch-and-learns to customers and consultants
• Provide technical trainings and how-to-engage-us trainings to the sales teams
• Work closely with manager to monitor market trends and competitive landscape in order to determine ways to grow market share and improve win rate
• Travel to customer sites to inspect and collect data on electrical systems, perform pre-bid job walks, and perform billable engineering tasks
• Represent the company and attend industry conferences and tradeshows
• Perform billable engineering evaluations, write detailed reports, and present findings to customers
• Process billing accurately and effectively
• Support engineering team when available with project execution
• Support field activities as needed
• Fulfill additional responsibilities as required, including the upkeep of vehicles, testing equipment, and administrative tools to ensure their optimal functioning and effectiveness.

May be modified from time to time. Other duties, tasks and work may be assigned

METRICS

Performance is measured by the accuracy and timeliness of proposals, effective management of assigned opportunities, responsiveness to internal and external customers, quality of project handoffs, support of sales and operational objectives, and achievement of P&C division goals established by management. This is not simply an estimator role but a high-level professional role which requires technical, sales, and communication skills.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities. However, the Application Engineer is expected to provide leadership throughout the sales process, coordinate activities across multiple departments, lead customer-facing discussions, and facilitate project kickoff and hand-off activities as required. 

QUALIFICATIONS

·       Experience in customer-facing technical sales, applications engineering, project development, or consulting roles is preferred.

·       Experience with consultative sales methodologies, opportunity qualification, customer discovery, and solution-based selling is preferred. Experience with formal sales training programs such as Sandler is a plus.

·       5+ years of system integration, protection and control, NERC compliance or related power systems engineering experience preferred.

·       Hands-on experience with the installation, testing, commissioning, and troubleshooting of protective relaying schemes and communications systems is a plus.

·       Ability to read and interpret blueprints, single-line, three-line drawings, wiring diagrams, and other related electrical drawings is required.

·       Working knowledge of low-, medium-, and high-voltage power systems is required.

·       Familiarity with field testing practices and electrical test equipment for power systems including megger, hi-pot, WRM, TTR, power factor test set, high current breaker test sets, relay test sets, etc.

·       Proficient in LOTO and Job Hazard Analysis practices.

·       Knowledge of NETA ATS/MTS, NEC, NFPA 70E, IEEE, and other applicable industry standards related to electrical power systems applications and protection.

KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS REQUIRED 

·       Strong knowledge of electrical power systems, protection and control systems, and system integration principles.

·       Strong written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to effectively engage customers, sales personnel, engineers, and management.

·       Ability to build credibility and develop long-term relationships with customers, consultants, and internal stakeholders

·       Ability to ask thoughtful questions to understand customer needs and identify underlying challenges beyond the initially stated problem.

·       Ability to identify customer needs, recommend practical solutions, and support opportunities through the sales process.

·       Ability to evaluate customer requirements and develop clear scopes of work, cost estimates, and technical proposals.

·       Strong organizational and time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple opportunities, deadlines, and customer requests simultaneously.

·       Disciplined, self-motivated and proactive.

·       Ability to work well and multi-task in a fast-paced team environment.

·       Ability to maintain confidential information.

·       Proficiency in Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint, AutoCAD and MathCAD.

·       Proficiency in SEL, GE, Siemens, ABB, etc. relays and communications.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE 

High school or equivalent GED certification is required. Post-secondary technical education or equivalent experience in electrical power systems, protection and control, system integration, field service, or related disciplines required. BSEE is preferred but not required.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS 

NETA Level III or IV Certification is preferred. Professional Engineer (PE) registration is a plus. Industry certifications or training related to protection and control systems, system integration, SCADA, relay systems, or consultative sales methodologies are also valued. 

The employee is expected to maintain and expand technical and professional competencies through continuing education, industry training, certifications, and self-development activities relevant to the position.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS 

·       Ability to sit at a desk for extended periods

·       Ability to work in environments indoor and outdoor in all weather conditions.

·       Climb and on ladders and scaffolding and work on man-lifts occasionally.

·       Lifting requirements include occasional lifting up to 75 pounds, frequent lifting of up to 50 pounds and continuous lifting of up to 25 pounds.

·       Frequent reaching/working overhead, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling

·       Frequent walking

·       Continuous standing and repetitive hand motion.

TRAVEL

Up to 20%.

BONUS/COMMISSION PLAN

No commission or bonus plan currently in place

EMPLOYEE EVALUATION SUMMARY

·       Introductory -- Will be written at approximately 90 days after employment and will be used to determine whether employee has sufficiently met and performed the job requirements, and will indicate whether employment will continue

·       Annual Reviews – Employee will be given a formal regular annual review, which assesses productivity and demonstrated business skills and accomplishments for the previous period.

WORK SCHEDULE

Typical hours are 8:00am to 5:00pm. Hours will be dictated by the customer and when working in the field may be earlier or later than typical, including occasional weekends and holidays.  The employee is expected to be online and working during normal business hours unless field work is scheduled.

EMPLOYER'S RIGHTS

This job description does not list all the duties of the job.  You may be asked by supervisors or managers to perform other duties.  You will be evaluated in part based upon your performance of the tasks listed in this job description.  The employer has the right to revise this job description at any time.  The job description is not a contract for employment, and either you or the employer may terminate employment at any time, for any reason.