The Sales Engineer III serves as a technical resource responsible for developing engineering solutions that support the organization's sales objectives. This role leads the technical and commercial development of assigned opportunities, collaborates closely with Business Development Managers and cross-functional teams, and serves as a trusted technical resource throughout the sales cycle. The Sales Engineer III exercises a high degree of independent judgment, mentors junior team members, and drives continuous improvement in estimating, proposal development, and solution design.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities- Serve as the technical lead for assigned sales opportunities from initial customer engagement through proposal submission.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with customers, consultants, vendors, and internal stakeholders.
- Partner with Business Development Managers to develop account strategies, identify growth opportunities, and support key customer relationships.
- Lead the review and interpretation of Requests for Proposal (RFPs), technical specifications, layouts, and customer requirements.
- Develop conceptual solutions that balance technical performance, operational efficiency, cost, schedule, and project risk.
- Lead cross-functional teams through the conceptual design and estimating process, ensuring compliance with company standards and customer requirements.
- Develop accurate material, labor, and total project cost estimates.
- Perform technical and commercial risk assessments and develop mitigation strategies.
- Prepare and present technical proposals, customer presentations, and supporting documentation for management review and customer submission.
- Support customer meetings, technical discussions, site visits, and solution reviews throughout the sales process.
- Provide technical product training and support to customers while capturing feedback to improve future products and services.
- Participate in post-project reviews to evaluate estimate accuracy and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
- Maintain current knowledge of company products, emerging technologies, industry trends, and competitive solutions.
- Mentor and provide technical guidance to Sales Engineer I and II team members.
- Recommend and implement process improvements that enhance efficiency, quality, and customer satisfaction.
- Support the development of engineering standards, best practices, and estimating methodologies.
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or a related field preferred, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant work experience.
- 0–2 years of relevant experience in engineering, estimating, sales engineering, warehouse automation, material handling, or a related technical field.
- Demonstrates advanced proficiency in engineering principles, conceptual design, estimating methodologies, and proposal development appropriate for this level.
- Ability to independently manage multiple projects and priorities with minimal supervision.
- Strong analytical, technical, and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Office applications, including Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Visio.
- Ability to interpret engineering drawings, technical specifications, and system layouts.
- Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and communicate technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
- Exercises sound judgment, demonstrates initiative, and contributes to continuous improvement efforts.
- Experience with warehouse automation, material handling systems, robotics, or industrial automation.
- Knowledge of logistics operations, distribution center design, controls integration, and system optimization.
- Experience using AutoCAD or other engineering design software.
- Experience delivering technical presentations to customers or internal stakeholders.
- Willingness and ability to travel up to 25% domestically and internationally.
Successful Sales Engineers III consistently demonstrate the following:
- Technical expertise and strong commercial awareness.
- Customer-focused solution development.
- Leadership through collaboration, influence, and mentorship.
- Strong communication and presentation skills.
- Sound technical judgment and decision-making.
- Initiative, accountability, and ownership of assigned projects.
- Ability to build credibility and trust with customers and internal stakeholders.
- A continuous improvement mindset focused on quality, innovation, and efficiency.
- Adaptability in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
- Commitment to developing others and fostering a collaborative team culture.
- Consistent demonstration of the company's core values.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or related field (or equivalent experience)
- 0-2 years of relevant experience in engineering, estimating, sales engineering, warehouse automation, material handling, or related field
- Advanced proficiency in engineering principles, conceptual design, estimating methodologies, and proposal development
- Ability to independently manage multiple projects and priorities with minimal supervision
- Strong analytical, technical, and problem-solving skills
- Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, and presentation skills
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Office applications (Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Visio)
- Ability to interpret engineering drawings, technical specifications, and system layouts
- Demonstrated ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams and communicate technical concepts to technical and non-technical audiences
- Exercises sound judgment, demonstrates initiative, and contributes to continuous improvement efforts
- Experience with warehouse automation, material handling systems, robotics, or industrial automation
- Knowledge of logistics operations, distribution center design, controls integration, and system optimization
- Experience using AutoCAD or other engineering design software
- Experience delivering technical presentations to customers or internal stakeholders
- Willingness and ability to travel up to 25% domestically and internationally
Vanderlande Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Vanderlande and has not been reviewed or approved by Vanderlande.
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Healthcare Strength — Health coverage is described as comprehensive, with day‑one eligibility in many U.S. roles and employer‑paid protections that reduce out‑of‑pocket exposure. Feedback suggests medical, dental, and vision are a clear strength.
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Retirement Support — Retirement offerings include a 401(k) with company match and immediate vesting in the U.S. Feedback suggests this forms a solid pillar of the total rewards package.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Paid time off, sick leave, and paid holidays are characterized as generous relative to peers. Compressed workweek options in some roles further support time away and recovery.
Vanderlande Insights
What We Do
Vanderlande is the global market leader for future-proof logistic process automation at airports. The company is also a leading supplier of process automation solutions for warehouses and in the parcel market. Vanderlande’s baggage handling systems are capable of moving over 4 billion pieces of baggage around the world per year. Its systems are active in more than 600 airports including 12 of the world’s top 20. More than 52 million parcels are sorted by its systems every day, which have been installed for the world’s leading parcel companies. In addition, many of the largest global e-commerce players and retailers have confidence in Vanderlande’s efficient and reliable solutions. The company focuses on the optimisation of its customers’ business processes and competitive positions. Through close cooperation, it strives for the improvement of their operational activities and the expansion of their logistical achievements. Vanderlande’s extensive portfolio of integrated solutions – innovative systems, intelligent software and life-cycle services – results in the realisation of fast, reliable and efficient automation technology. Established in 1949, Vanderlande has more than 7,500 employees, all committed to moving its customers’ businesses forward at diverse locations on every continent. With a consistently increasing turnover of 1.8 billion euros, it has established a global reputation over the past seven decades as a highly reliable partner for future-proof logistic process automation. Vanderlande was acquired in 2017 by Toyota Industries Corporation, which will help it to continue its sustainable profitable growth. The two companies have a strong strategic match, and the synergies include cross-selling, product innovations, and research and development.
