Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Communicating with Persons Outside Organisation Communicating with people outside the organisation, representing the organisation to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Selling or Influencing Others Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
• Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
• Analysing Data or Information Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Thinking Creatively Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

The Work

The sales engineer, sometimes referred to as ‘technical sales engineer’ or ‘system engineer’, sells products or services which require significant technical knowledge and skills. They don’t just promote or sell the product/service, they also explain highly complex technical details to customers and advise them on how to get the most out of it.

The work is primarily done on site, which means that the sales engineer can spend a lot of time travelling to and from customers.

The sales engineers collaborates with the sales representatives, the maintenance and service engineers, and management.

Sales engineers are employed in many sectors and industries, such as ICT, energy and construction.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Collaborate with sales teams to understand customer requirements, to promote the sale of company products, and to provide sales support.
• Sell products requiring extensive technical expertise and support for installation and use, such as material handling equipment, numerical-control machinery, or computer systems.
• Plan and modify product configurations to meet customer needs.
• Confer with customers and engineers to assess equipment needs and to determine system requirements.
• Prepare and deliver technical presentations that explain products or services to customers and prospective customers.
• Arrange for demonstrations or trial installations of equipment.
• Create sales or service contracts for products or services.
• Develop, present, or respond to proposals for specific customer requirements, including request for proposal responses and industry-specific solutions.
• Visit prospective buyers at commercial, industrial, or other establishments to show samples or catalogs, and to inform them about product pricing, availability, and advantages.
• Research and identify potential customers for products or services.

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

Investigative

The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.

Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

Depending on the product/service the company sells, you may need a formal qualification or certificate, however you will most likely also receive on-the-job training. Sales experience will also be beneficial. A drivers licence is typically a requirement. Relevant course subjects include engineering and computer science, and you could also consider entry through an

Training & Development 

FET PLC Courses: Sales, Marketing, IT Sales & Digital Skills, Sales Advisor-Retail at NFQ Level 5 Search our FET PLC Coursefinder

Apprenticeship:Sales & ICT Apprenticeships NFQ level 6-8 Search Apprenticeships

Profesional Development

Many sales engineers start out as ‘junior’ sales engineers and will have the opportunity to progress to a senior sales engineer role with some experience.

You can choose to develop your career in either sales, engineering or both and you can stay in one particular industry, or look for opportunities in other areas.

Membership in relevant professional organisations, such as Engineers Ireland for example, helps you stay up-to-date on relevant information, events and training opportunities.

Last Updated: October, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €35k - €110k

Salaries Vary by employer, location, role, duties, shift pattern, and experience. Earnings may include (OTE) On Target earnings as bonus to basic salary. 

Data Source(s):
Indeed/ Prosperity/ Morgan McKinley / Sigmar/ Azon/ Osborne/ Clark

Last Updated: March, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

The negative growth rate for this occupation can be primarily attributed to changes to the LFS in 2017; employment levels have remained relatively unchanged in recent years.

The wholesale and retail sector accounts for the highest share of employment for this occupation, at 44%. Despite this, most of the employment permits issued were for the ICT sector, many requiring language skills. German, Spanish, French, and Dutch were the most frequently mentioned languages in the online job adverts; the postings for this occupation increased slightly (2%) in the year to 2022 but fell in the most recent quarter. Employers (through Spotlight on Skills) highlighted the need for ecommerce skills (i.e. selling via digital platforms) and technical knowledge. The data suggests that demand for business sales executive roles is particularly related to the ICT sector; however, as the ICT sector enters a restructuring phase, future demand for these roles is uncertain. ssues with filling vacancies for these roles will depend on the availability of candidates with specific skill combinations.

• Engineers Ireland

  • 22 Clyde Road, Ballsbridge Dublin 4
  • (01) 665 1300
  • Click Here

• Association of Consulting Engineers of Ireland

  • Click Here