The posting
Based in St. Louis, Core & Main is a leader in advancing reliable infrastructure™ with local service, nationwide®. As a specialty distributor with a focus on water, wastewater, storm drainage and fire protection products and related services, Core & Main provides solutions to municipalities, private water companies and professional contractors across municipal, non-residential and residential end markets, nationwide. With over 370 locations across the U.S., the company provides its customers local expertise backed by a national supply chain. Core & Main’s 5,700 associates are committed to helping their communities thrive with safe and reliable infrastructure. Visit coreandmain.com to learn more.
Job Summary
The Senior Sales Engineer serves as a senior technical sales resource responsible for driving growth, expanding market share, and developing new business for engineered solutions within the assigned territory or region. This role combines advanced technical expertise with strategic sales execution, working closely with sales teams, engineers, contractors, developers, distributors, and customers to identify needs, influence specifications, support complex proposals, and deliver technically sound solutions.
Major Tasks, Responsibilities and Key Accountabilities
Business Development & Market Growth
- Develops and executes territory or regional sales plans aligned with company goals, with focus on complex engineered products, applications, and project opportunities.
- Identifies, pursues, and secures new business opportunities with engineering firms, contractors, developers, public entities, owners, distributors, and other key stakeholders.
- Partners with sales leaders and outside sales representatives to support large customers, strategic accounts, and high-value project pursuits.
Technical Sales & Solution Support
- Provides advanced technical advice and product application support to sales teams and customers throughout the sales, design, selection, proposal, and implementation process.
- Prepares and conducts technical sales presentations, customer briefings, product demonstrations, and training sessions for company representatives, engineering firms, contractors, and customers.
- Reviews customer technical specifications, project requirements, and sales proposals to ensure technical accuracy, quality alignment, and appropriate solution fit.
- Evaluates product configurations, installation requirements, cost considerations, resource needs, and implementation timelines to support customer-specific pricing and solution recommendations.
Project, Proposal & Market Support
- Teams with Sales Managers, regional sales associates, and technical support teams on presentations, proposals, and project strategies for large or complex customers.
- Builds pricing, establishes follow-up plans, and supports sales associates and regions in execution of targeted opportunities.
- Shares market trends, competitive intelligence, customer feedback, and technical insights with applicable internal teams to support continuous improvement and business growth.
- Attends trade shows, association meetings, customer events, and industry meetings as needed to promote company capabilities and maintain market awareness.
Leadership & Collaboration
- Serves as a recognized subject matter expert and resource for complex technical questions, applications, and customer needs.
- May lead or support large projects or processes with limited oversight, including planning, coordinating, monitoring, and reviewing progress and results.
- May coach, train, review, or delegate work to lower-level professionals or sales associates, contributing to their technical and professional development.
- Resolves complex customer or sales support issues and helps troubleshoot implementation concerns when necessary.
Qualifications
Required
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Business, or a related discipline, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Generally, 5–8 years of experience in technical sales, engineering, construction, distribution, project management, product support, or a related field.
- Strong technical aptitude and ability to interpret project requirements, specifications, drawings, product applications, and customer solution needs.
- Demonstrated ability to build relationships with engineering firms, contractors, developers, public entities, distributors, vendors, sales teams, and customers.
- Excellent communication, presentation, training, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
- Ability to manage large or complex opportunities with limited oversight and make sound recommendations when information may be incomplete or uncertain.
- Ability to travel as required, including overnight travel, to support customers, job sites, sales teams, and industry events.
- This position requires operation of a Company Vehicle or Personal Vehicle on a consistent basis. If selected, Core & Main will run a Motor Vehicle Record report, and an acceptable report is required.
Preferred
- Professional Engineer (PE) license is preferred and may be required for certain assignments, customer engagements, or jurisdictions depending on business needs. If not currently licensed, the associate may be expected to maintain eligibility or pursue licensure where applicable.
- Experience supporting engineered products, civil infrastructure, mechanical systems, utility applications, construction products, or similar technical solution environments.
- Experience working directly with engineering firms, contractors, public entities, vendors, or distribution networks.
- Experience preparing or reviewing technical proposals, customer presentations, project pricing, product configurations, or value-engineering recommendations.
- Prior experience mentoring, training, or providing technical guidance to sales associates or other professionals.
This information indicates the general nature and level of work performed by associates in this role. It is not designed to contain a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of associates assigned to this role. This description supersedes any previous or undated descriptions for this role. Management retains the right to add or change the duties of the position at any time.
Core & Main is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. Employment at Core & Main is based solely on a person’s merit and qualifications directly related to professional competence. Core & Main does not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, nationality, ancestry, age, disability, veteran status, pregnancy or related condition (including breastfeeding), affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, citizenship, or any other basis protected by law.
None of the questions in this application are intended to elicit information regarding any protected characteristics, nor imply any limitation, illegal preferences or discrimination based upon non-job-related information or protected characteristics.
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