Applications Engineering Manager Jobs in Albuquerque, NM

Own the front end of complex technical projects in a role that blends sales, engineering insight, and customer strategy. This opportunity is ideal for someone who can turn project requirements into smart, practical solutions while building strong client relationships and shaping proposals that set projects up for success.

RK Company Overview

RK Industries is a second-generation family-owned company led by brothers Rick and Jon Kinning. With seven specialized business units working together, we deliver construction, fabrication, manufacturing, and building services with a focus on safety, quality, and craftsmanship.

People join RK for the craftsmanship, complexity, and the ability to make a real impact. Our in-house capabilities mean employees see their ideas become real solutions, creating meaningful collaboration and clear visibility into how work gets built. Growth happens through challenging projects, mentorship from experienced builders, and opportunities that stretch your skill set.

With RK University, accredited apprenticeships, competitive benefits, and deep community investment, RK offers the stability of a family-owned company with the opportunity and momentum of an industry leader.

Position Summary

Responsible for driving the sales process, managing customer relationships, and delivering technical proposals. Serves as a technical bridge for front-end project development, ensuring that projects are correctly scoped and specified and proposals are complete and accurate. Proactively drives sales and shapes solutions in a customer-facing technical capacity

Role Responsibilities

• Lead the development of technical and commercial proposals by reviewing project requirements, specifications, drawings, and customer expectations. Ensure the project inclusions and exclusions are clearly coordinated internally with the estimating department and externally in the customer-facing proposal. 

• Use insights to position the company’s solutions effectively and advise customers on innovations that impact modular infrastructure. 

• Ensure a smooth transition from sales to operations, with all pertinent project information turned over to the operations team for seamless project execution. 

• Participate in client meetings, sales calls, and job walks. 

• Act as a technical resource to customers during pre-project discussions. 

• Help define project scope, system approach, and solution strategy. 

• Evaluate project requirements, site conditions, constructability concerns, and system integration requirements. 

• Interpret engineering specifications and recommend and coordinate appropriate equipment, materials, and system configurations based on project requirements, specifications, and operational objectives. Coordinate with operations to ensure constructability and serviceability. 

• Source equipment and materials from vendors. 

• Develop budgets and pricing inputs in coordination with operations. 

• Assemble complete proposals including scope, assumptions, and clarifications. 

• Support smooth handoff from proposal to execution. 

• Reduce field issues caused by incomplete or incorrect proposal or scope of work. 

• Capture lessons learned from completed projects to improve future proposals. 

• Perform other duties as assigned. 

Qualifications

Career Level: Technical Sales Engineer 1 

• High School Diploma or equivalent and a bachelor’s degree in construction management, engineering, or related field. 

• 3+ years of experience in technical sales and business development. 

• Experience in applications engineering, technical sales, estimating with customer exposure, or field leadership. 

• A strong focus on providing customers with the technical details needed to make informed decisions. 

• Excellent interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to present complex technical concepts to a non-technical audience and lead cross-functional teams. 

• Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to think creatively to offer innovative, compliant solutions tailored to customer needs across various modular product offerings. 

• Strong technical writing skills with the ability to create proposals that clearly communicate business value and technical specifics. 

Career Level: Technical Sales Engineer 2 

• 5+ years of experience in technical sales and business development. 

• Technical background in water systems, mechanical systems, or industrial solutions. 

• Experience in equipment selection and vendor coordination. 

Career Level: Technical Sales Engineer 3 

• 7+ years of experience in technical sales and business development. 

• Aptitude for leading interactions clients and internal stakeholders, serving as a technical expert and strategic advisor across parties. 

Minimum Physical Requirements and Accountability:  

• Frequent and prolonged periods of sitting, standing, and walking within the facility.  

• Must be able to hear and communicate clearly and effectively in person, over the phone, and in virtual settings. 

• Manual dexterity is required to operate computer, keyboard, and standard office equipment. 

• Close vision is necessary for reading, computer use, and performing detailed tasks. 

• Occasional reaching, bending, stooping, or kneeling may be required. 

• Noise levels are typically low to moderate but may vary, particularly for roles that involve time in field or shop environments.  

• Possible exposure to typical manufacturing-related hazards in certain job locations. 

• Must comply with all company policies and procedures. 

• Consistent, punctual attendance during core business hours is essential. 

• This position is primarily office-based and located in Albuquerque, NM. Reliable transportation is required for commuting and occasional travel between corporate offices and job sites within NM and Dever, CO metro area during business hours. 

• All employees are accountable for safety and health and are empowered to stop work if an unsafe condition is present. Employees should immediately notify their supervisor so that the hazard may be corrected. 

What Sets RK Industries Apart

• Safety: Our unmatched culture of safety is our foremost core value, guiding everything we do each day: Health, Safety, & Environmental

• Awards: Whether in Construction, Manufacturing, Fabrication, or Service, RK Industries is highly recognized and accredited throughout the industry: Accreditations & Recognition

• Benefits: RK Industries offers competitive benefits to support your growth and well-being: Benefits & Rewards

• Philanthropy: RK Industries not only builds our community through our projects, but also invests in it by supporting local services for over a decade through the RK Foundation: RK Foundation

• Development: Through RK University, we provide hands-on training and development opportunities that empower employees to advance their careers and grow within the company, to include leadership and technical learning opportunities, we well as our accredited apprentice program: RK University & RK Apprenticeship Program

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