Top 9 Sales Engineer Titles and Their Responsibilities

If you're someone who loves combining technical knowledge with the art of sales, a career in sales engineering might be the perfect fit.

However, starting your career as a sales engineer can be confusing, especially with the many different job titles in the field. Each title comes with its own set of responsibilities, making it hard to know which role suits you best.

Fortunately, this guide will help you understand different sales engineer titles and their duties and how to choose the one that best aligns with your skills and goals. 

Below, we'll also provide tips on how to advance your sales engineer career.

What is a Sales Engineer?

A sales engineer is a professional who blends technical knowledge with sales skills to sell complex products, services, or solutions. 

They work with clients to understand their needs, explain technical details, and demonstrate how their products can solve specific problems.

The sales engineer title is among the most popular tech sales roles.

Daily Tasks of Sales Engineers

As a sales engineer, your primary job is to bridge the gap between clients and the sales team. You'll spend a lot of time explaining technical products in simple terms. 

This is why the sales engineering role is often known as a technical sales engineer.

Here's a brief list of your daily responsibilities:

• Develop and conduct technical presentations to show how a product or service works
• Provide technical support to clients and internal teams, such as customer success
• Create proposals that cover technical details and match client requirements
• Assist in product development to ensure products meet customer needs
• Offer training sessions to help clients maximize the service or product's value

9 Different Sales Engineer Titles and Their Responsibilities

Now that you understand what a sales engineer does daily, it's time to explore the different titles you might encounter in this field. Each title comes with its own set of responsibilities and requires specific skills.

Let's break down the top nine sales engineer titles and what you can expect from each role below:

1. Solutions Engineer

As a solutions engineer, your main job is to find the right technology solutions that fit your client's specific needs.

Depending on the company, you can take on various roles. These may involve designing solutions from scratch, partnering with other vendors to provide a specific solution, or implementing products from your company's portfolio.

However, one thing is constant: you'll work closely with the customer to understand their problems and requirements. This is why you must have excellent communication skills and a deep technical understanding.

2. Pre-Sales Engineer

As the job title suggests, a pre-sales engineer focuses on the early stages of the sales process. Your role starts from the initial contact with prospects and ends once the sale has been made (e.g. the customer purchased your product or service).

It's your responsibility to help an account executive, a technical sales representative, and other sales team members succeed in closing the deal.

You will communicate closely with these tech sales professionals to develop sales strategies to acquire the right customers.

You'll also review proposals and make sure they are accurate, specifically the technical details.

Pre-sales engineering roles require solid technical knowledge, communication, and relationship-building skills.

3. Post-Sales Engineer

A post-sales engineer steps in after the sale is made to ensure the client is satisfied. Your primary job is to provide ongoing technical support and help clients integrate your product or service into their operations.

You must handle troubleshooting, conduct training sessions, and offer solutions to any problems that arise. You should also answer technical questions and explain complex terms in simple words.

This post-sales role requires excellent customer service skills and a solid understanding of your company's offerings.

4. Applications Engineer

An applications engineer focuses on specific applications of a product, hence the job title. The role should not be confused with that of account executives, who have the same abbreviation (AE).

As an applications engineer, you work with clients to design, implement, and maintain computer systems. 

Your tasks include customizing the product to fit a customer's needs, conducting training sessions, and providing technical support when needed.

You must demonstrate specialized application knowledge and strong communication skills to excel in this position.

5. Solutions Consultant

A solutions consultant is an alternative title to the sales engineer role. It is commonly used in countries where using the term "engineer" is prohibited if an official engineering regulator doesn't license the professional.

The tasks of solutions consultants (SC) and sales engineers are interchangeable. SCs work with clients to understand their business challenges and provide strategic advice on how their company's product can help.

6. Solutions Architect

Solutions architect (SA) is an ambiguous job title that can mean many things in different industries. An SA in tech sales oversees the implementation of technological solutions.

Depending on where you are introduced in the sales life cycle, you may communicate with a prospect, propose the right solution, and convert them into a customer. 

You are also responsible for preparing detailed technical documents and ensuring the client is onboarded smoothly.

7. Field Engineer

A field engineer is a post-sales role that involves spending a lot of time on-site with clients.

Your main job is to fix and maintain products in the field. This includes conducting site surveys, installing equipment, and providing technical support.

This position requires a hands-on approach and strong technical skills.

8. Sales Engineering Manager

As a sales engineering manager, you lead a team of sales engineers. Your primary responsibilities include overseeing the team’s work, developing strategies, and ensuring your team meets its goals.

You also work closely with other departments to align sales strategies with the company objectives. 

This is why you must have strong leadership abilities, communication skills, and a deep understanding of technical concepts and sales operations.

9. Technical Account Manager

A technical account manager focuses on maintaining strong relationships with key clients.

Your main job is to ensure client satisfaction and help them get the most out of your product. You can do this by conducting regular check-ins, providing technical support, and offering strategic advice.

This role requires excellent customer service skills, account management skills, and a deep understanding of your company's product.

How to Choose the Right Sales Engineer Title for Your Career Path

Now that you know the different sales engineer titles, it’s time to figure out which one is right for you. Here are some tips to help you make that decision:

• Assess your skills and interests: You should think about what you enjoy doing. Next, identify your strengths in both technical and sales areas. You can then match your interests and skills with the roles that fit best.
• Define your career goals: You must decide where you want to be in 5 or 10 years. Then, choose a title that aligns with your long-term plans.
• Research industry requirements: By understanding what qualifications and skills are needed for each role, you can determine which job title matches your expertise.
• Ask for professional advice: If you're interested in a specific job title, you can seek advice from professionals in that field. Doing so helps you learn what the role actually entails and whether it's the right fit.

Tips for Advancing in Sales Engineer Roles

Once you’ve chosen the right sales engineer title for your career, the next step is advancing in your role. Here are some tips to help you climb the ladder and achieve your career goals.

Obtain Certifications

Having certifications can set you apart from other candidates. They can also open doors to new opportunities and higher-paying positions.

You can look for certifications that are relevant to your field. For example, you can obtain a Certified Professional Sales Engineer certification from the National Society of Sales Engineers. 

This shows your commitment to professional development and compliance with the NSSE Code of Ethics for Sales Engineers.

Take Online Courses or Challenging Projects

Continuing education is key to advancing in any career, including sales engineering.

You can enroll in online courses to learn about a specific technology or software. Consider browsing platforms like Coursera and Udemy.

Better yet, you can take on challenging projects at work. By volunteering for projects that push your limits, you can obtain new skills. 

This also demonstrates your willingness to grow professionally, which makes you a valuable asset to the company.

Stay Informed About Industry Trends

The tech industry is always changing. To stay ahead, you need to keep up with the latest trends.

You can read industry news, subscribe to relevant newsletters, or even join professional forums to learn from peers. 

Staying informed helps you understand new technologies and how they can benefit your clients. It also shows your employer that you’re proactive about your professional development.

Network with Professionals

Networking is important for your career growth as a sales engineer.

You can connect with other professionals in your field through LinkedIn or industry events.

When networking using LinkedIn, make sure to engage with peers regularly. You can like, comment, or share their posts. You can even publish valuable articles to position yourself as a thought leader in the industry.

You can get valuable insights and advice when you build a strong professional network. You can also receive new job opportunities and collaborations when you reach out to recruiters.

Seek Mentorship Programs

Having a mentor can greatly accelerate your career growth. This person can provide guidance, feedback, and support. They can also introduce you to valuable contacts in the industry.

You can look for tech career mentorship programs to help you navigate your career path. You can also contact experienced professionals and ask if they’re willing to mentor you.

Let Better Career Help You Land Your Dream Job

Need further help figuring out which sales engineer title is the best fit? Or are you looking to advance your sales engineering career? Here's how Better Career can assist you:

• 1-on-1 Career Coaching: Work closely with former tech leaders turned career coaches to land your next Sales or Sales Engineering role, or advance your career. We'll customize the program to meet your unique goals and needs.
• PreSales & Sales Tech Job Board: Connect directly with key people at hiring companies through our curated job board for B2B tech positions. This includes direct LinkedIn profiles and posts for each listing.

Haven't found what you're looking for? Fill out our contact form, and we'll get in touch with you soon!

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FAQs About Sales Engineer Titles

What is an alternative job title for a sales engineer?

You'll find many alternate job titles for a sales engineering position. These include solutions engineers, pre-sales engineers, post-sales engineers, and solutions consultants, among others.

Why do different sales engineer titles exist?

Different sales engineer titles exist to reflect varying levels of expertise, specialization, and responsibilities in tech sales. They help companies match the right skills to specific client needs and project requirements.

What qualifications do I need to become a sales engineer?

To become a sales engineer, you typically need a degree in engineering or a related field, technical skills, and sales experience. Certifications can also boost your qualifications.