Need some tips on transitioning from a Mechanical Engineering to Sales Engineering position.
Pavlina Williams
Sales Engineer
6
My vast experience as a mechanical engineer involved placing a rake in the garden so it would hit my grandfather in the nuts when he stepped on it.
Sorry. Cannot help.
Sorry. Cannot help.
๐ฆ
๐ Jebus
hi, do you have specific questions?
Really just trying to understand a good way to do it. I have 6 years experience in engineering, I applied to some Sales Engineering positions but not having any luck because I don't have any experience in sales.
So I would stick to a sales role that you can use your engineering background in, something in your industry or industry adjacent. Do you deal with any sales professionals on a regular basis? Perhaps reach out to them to see if there is something available they are aware of. This is really the best move, to reach out to other peers in the space to see if they know of any openings. Are you applying for entry level positions?
Do you have a role already or looking for advice on how to make that kind of transition?
Advice on how to make that kind of transition, please!
Got it. Well Iโd doubt any of us have been mechanical engineers.
Are you looking to join a software company or become an SE at your current company?
Are you looking to join a software company or become an SE at your current company?
Software seems to be the way to go. It would have more opportunities. I was originally promised a sales position after I got hired as a ME, that I would be allowed to transfer to sales but that never came around and it was time for me to look somewhere else. I'm a quick learner but unfortunately that's not enough "proof" I would do well. I started learning python just to have some kind of software background hopefully that will help. Any suggestions on courses or certificates you think might help?
I think I saw youโve been in your current role 6 months. Why so hasty to move?
Most people here are sales reps or leaders. Not about of SEs. However, Iโve managed SEs before and I can tell you this: youโre going to be hard pressed to land a role without any sales knowledge. You are coselling with your reps and itโs a lot of deal management. Iโd consider joining a company in support or customer success and working your way to an SE role.
Most people here are sales reps or leaders. Not about of SEs. However, Iโve managed SEs before and I can tell you this: youโre going to be hard pressed to land a role without any sales knowledge. You are coselling with your reps and itโs a lot of deal management. Iโd consider joining a company in support or customer success and working your way to an SE role.
Sales Engineers understand the product/platform/application and generally set up and run the product demos with their Sales Executive counterpart. They have to be able to talk to prospects, to be straightforward but organized in their demos, and know the solution. Software engineering might have been a better path for Sales Engineer, because physics and math arenโt going to matter when youโre showing software. Are you in a position to learn the software and shadow some sales engineers to see what their day to day looks like?
๐ Jebus
Hey Pavlina - I know this is a few months old but I spent 9 years on the mechanical Eng side for an industrial tech company. As a mechy I supported clients with how to use the tech. Essentially we have a SaaS business model with engineers assigned to accounts that essentially provide consulting services
I transitioned into a sales engineering role by continuously equipping the sales team with the business cases to sell with, and by going out and generating leads
One route is to apply for technical sales roles within the industry you would consider yourself an SME in
I transitioned into a sales engineering role by continuously equipping the sales team with the business cases to sell with, and by going out and generating leads
One route is to apply for technical sales roles within the industry you would consider yourself an SME in
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