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Technical Sales Engineer

Baker Engineering LLC | Nunica, Michigan | Hybrid - Remote | Full-Time

Reports To: Vice President of Growth & Revenue

Role snapshot: The Technical Sales Engineer owns customer-facing technical sales activity from opportunity identification through proposal, quote, and contract award. The role connects customer needs with Baker Engineering’s ICE3 engine platform, engineering services, and advanced manufacturing capabilities while partnering closely with engineering, manufacturing, finance, and leadership.

ABOUT BAKER ENGINEERING

Baker Engineering LLC delivers power, propulsion, advanced manufacturing, and technology solutions to customers across aerospace, defense, automotive, marine, and industrial markets. For more than 60 years, Baker Engineering has provided innovative engineering and manufacturing solutions that address complex technical challenges and support mission-critical applications.

Today, Baker Engineering is actively expanding through the launch of the ICE3 engine platform, growth in engineering services, and increased investment in precision manufacturing capabilities. As an SBA 8(a)-certified company and a subsidiary of Waséyabek Development Company, Baker Engineering is uniquely positioned to serve both commercial and government customers with world-class technical expertise and manufacturing excellence.

Our culture is built on innovation, accountability, continuous improvement, and customer focus. Team members collaborate across engineering, manufacturing, operations, and business development to deliver solutions that drive customer success.

POSITION SUMMARY

Baker Engineering is seeking a Technical Sales Specialist to support the growth of our ICE3 engine product line, engineering services business, and advanced manufacturing operations. This is a high-visibility, high-impact role with direct exposure to senior leadership and a meaningful contribution to company growth.

The Technical Sales Specialist serves as the primary interface between Baker Engineering and its customers — translating customer requirements into practical engineering and manufacturing solutions, developing competitive proposals and quotations, and managing opportunities from initial contact through contract award.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Business Development & Opportunity Management

• Identify, qualify, and pursue new business opportunities across aerospace, defense, automotive, marine, and industrial markets.
• Support commercialization and market expansion activities for the ICE3 engine product family.
• Develop and sustain relationships with customers, government stakeholders, prime contractors, and strategic partners.
• Represent Baker Engineering at customer meetings, trade shows, industry events, and technical demonstrations.
• Manage the full opportunity lifecycle within the CRM system from initial contact through contract award.

Proposal Development & Capture

• Lead development of technical and cost proposals for engineering services, product development programs, and manufacturing opportunities.
• Coordinate proposal inputs across engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, quality, and finance functions.
• Develop and manage proposal schedules to ensure timely, compliant submissions.
• Contribute to capture planning and win strategy development.

Manufacturing Quoting & Estimating

• Develop competitive quotations for precision machining, fabrication, assembly, and manufacturing services.
• Partner with manufacturing and engineering teams to establish accurate labor estimates, material requirements, routing assumptions, and production costs.
• Analyze RFQs, technical drawings, specifications, and statements of work to develop responsive pricing.
• Maintain quoting tools, pricing databases, and estimating standards; drive continuous improvement in turnaround time and accuracy.

Technical Sales & Customer Support

• Understand and translate customer requirements into technically viable Baker Engineering solutions.
• Support customer presentations, product demonstrations, and in-depth technical discussions.
• Coordinate with engineering teams to ensure customer requirements are accurately scoped and communicated.
• Provide technical guidance throughout pre-sales and post-sales activities.
• Contribute to the development of product literature, capability statements, and technical marketing materials.

Strategic Growth Support

• Monitor market trends, competitive activity, and evolving customer needs to identify emerging opportunities.
• Support leadership in evaluating new markets, technologies, and partnership opportunities.
• Contribute to annual growth planning and strategic business development initiatives.
• Drive continuous improvement of BD and proposal processes, tools, and standards.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, Manufacturing, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in technical sales, business development, proposal management, manufacturing estimating, or a related technical role.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret technical drawings, engineering specifications, and statements of work.
• Strong written communication skills; proven experience preparing customer-facing proposals, quotations, or technical documentation.
• Background in manufacturing, engineering services, aerospace, defense, or industrial markets.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple concurrent priorities and deadlines.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and CRM platforms.

Preferred

• Experience with government contracting, DoD programs, SBIRs, OTAs, or federal acquisition processes.
• Background in manufacturing estimating, cost modeling, or should-cost analysis.
• Familiarity with precision machining, fabrication, assembly, and aerospace manufacturing processes.
• Experience supporting new product launches and technology commercialization efforts.
• Knowledge of power systems, propulsion, engine technologies, UAS/UGV platforms, or advanced mobility solutions.
• Familiarity with AS9100, ISO 9001, or related quality management systems.

COMPENSATION

Baker Engineering offers a competitive total compensation package structured to reward individual performance and shared business growth. This role carries a meaningful variable component tied directly to measurable sales outcomes.

Base Salary

Competitive base salary commensurate with experience

Target Variable Bonus

Up to ~35–40% of base salary at 100% of goal attainment

Total Target Compensation

Competitive total comp with meaningful upside for high performers

Bonus Structure

Performance-based; tied to individual sales goal attainment

The variable bonus is performance-based and structured around three distinct sales achievement categories. Bonus amounts scale with attainment — candidates who exceed goals earn above target; those who fall short earn proportionally less.

Variable Bonus Breakdown

Performance Category

Weighting

Description

ICE3 Unit Sales

40%

Achievement of annual ICE3 engine unit sales targets by volume and revenue.

Engineering & Manufacturing Services Sales

35%

New and expansion services revenue closed against annual bookings targets.

New Customer RFQ Pipeline & Capture

25%

Total dollar value of new customer RFQs generated and capture rate on qualified opportunities.

Specific annual targets for each performance category will be established collaboratively during onboarding and reviewed annually in alignment with Baker Engineering’s growth objectives.

KEY SUCCESS METRICS

• New opportunity pipeline growth
• Proposal submission volume and win rate
• Quote turnaround time and accuracy
• Revenue generated from ICE3 products and engineering services
• Customer satisfaction and retention
• Conversion rate from qualified opportunity to awarded business

WORK LOCATION & TRAVEL

This is a hybrid position based in Nunica, Michigan. Regular on-site presence at Baker Engineering’s Manufacturing Center of Excellence and Power & Propulsion Center of Excellence is expected (minimum 2 days per month). Limited travel to customer sites, trade shows, and industry events is anticipated (approximately 5–7 days per month).

Baker Engineering LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. Baker Engineering is an SBA 8(a)-certified small business an