Sales Engineers

Business Development Engineer

Inside Sales Engineer

Product Sales Engineer

Sales Applications Engineer

Sales Engineer

Technical Marketing Engineer

Technical Sales Engineer

What is a Sales Engineer?

Sales Engineers are professionals who combine technical knowledge with sales skills to effectively engage in the sale of complex products and services, typically in fields such as technology, manufacturing, and engineering. Their role is critical in bridging the gap between the customer and the company, ensuring that customers fully understand the technical complexities of a product and how it meets their specific needs.

These individuals often have a strong background in engineering or a related field, allowing them to understand and explain the intricate features and benefits of products. They work closely with customers to identify their requirements, present solutions, and demonstrate product functionality. Sales Engineers often prepare and deliver product demonstrations, provide technical support during the sales process, and collaborate with the sales team to develop strategies tailored to customer needs.

The role of a Sales Engineer requires excellent communication skills, as they must be able to convey technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders effectively. They also need to possess strong problem-solving abilities, as they frequently tailor solutions to meet unique customer challenges. The position often involves traveling to client locations, attending trade shows, and participating in presentations that require both technical acumen and persuasive selling techniques.

Overall, Sales Engineers play a vital role in driving business by providing customers with the information and confidence needed to make informed purchasing decisions, ultimately contributing to the success of their organizations.

Job Outlook

Projected salary and job growth

$67760.0 - $202660.0

This career will grow rapidly in the next few years.

Finding local jobs...

Assessment

Related assessments and tests

No assessment available.

Related Occupations

Tasks

Develop, present, or respond to proposals for specific customer requirements, including request for proposal responses and industry-specific solutions.
Collaborate with sales teams to understand customer requirements, to promote the sale of company products, and to provide sales support.
Create sales or service contracts for products or services.
Visit prospective buyers at commercial, industrial, or other establishments to show samples or catalogs, and to inform them about product pricing, availability, and advantages.
Keep informed on industry news and trends, products, services, competitors, relevant information about legacy, existing, and emerging technologies, and the latest product-line developments.

Technology Skills

Enterprise resource planning ERP software
Project management software
Data base user interface and query software
Web platform development software
- HTML5
- JavaScript
- PHP
- React
Operating system software

Tools Used

Mainframe computers
Notebook computers
- Laptop computers
Desktop computers
Personal computers

Knowledge

Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Sales and Marketing
Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
Engineering and Technology
Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Mathematics
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

527 Active Jobs in South Africa

Avg Salary: R41,857pm

How to Know if You Are Ready to be a Sales Engineer in South Africa

As the South African industrial and tech sectors expand, the role of a Sales Engineer—often called a Technical Sales Specialist—has become pivotal. Currently, the market is vibrant with 439 active jobs available. Financially, the trajectory is highly promising; while the average salary sits at R41,857pm, data for 2024 shows a steady month-on-month climb, starting from R36,834 in January and projected to reach over R46,000 by December. If you possess a blend of technical brilliance and a flair for persuasion, you are looking at one of the most rewarding career paths in the country.

Is Sales Engineering Right for Me? (Psychometric Checklist)

Success in this field requires a unique psychological profile. Review the following traits to see if you align with the demands of the South African corporate and industrial landscape:

Technical Curiosity: Do you find yourself deconstructing how things work, from software architectures to mechanical systems?
Communicative Empathy: Can you translate complex "tech-speak" into clear, value-driven benefits for a non-technical stakeholder?
Resilience: The South African sales cycle can be lengthy and competitive. Do you have the grit to handle "no" and keep refining your pitch?
Strategic Problem-Solving: Rather than just selling a product, are you driven to architect a bespoke solution for a client's specific pain points?
Adaptability: Are you comfortable pivoting your presentation when a client suddenly changes their requirements mid-meeting?
Organisational Skills: Can you manage the administrative rigour of a CRM while simultaneously prepping for a live technical demonstration?

A Day in the Life of a South African Sales Engineer

In the South African context, your day might begin in a high-rise office in Sandton or a manufacturing hub in Gqeberha. You aren't just a "salesperson"; you are the technical backbone of the deal. Your morning might be spent collaborating with the product development team to understand the latest feature updates. By midday, you could be on a call with a procurement head, addressing technical objections and ensuring your solution meets local compliance and BEE requirements.

Afternoons often involve "deep-work"—drafting technical proposals or configuring a demo environment that proves your product can withstand the unique challenges of the local market, such as infrastructure constraints or specific integration needs. It is a fast-paced environment where you are the bridge between the "how" (engineering) and the "why" (sales).

Education & Upskilling

To enter this field, a solid foundational education is non-negotiable, but South African employers increasingly value a hybrid of formal and informal learning.

Formal Education: Most top-tier firms require a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering (BEng), Computer Science (BSc), or a BCom in Information Systems. Alternatively, a National Diploma from a TVET College in a technical field provides an excellent practical foundation.

Short Courses & Certifications: The technical landscape moves faster than a university syllabus. Obtaining certifications in Cloud Computing (AWS, Azure), Project Management (PRINCE2), or CRM software (Salesforce) is highly recommended. Furthermore, a dedicated Sales Methodology course can help engineers transition their mindset from "fixing" to "selling."

The Golden Rule: Continuous learning is the hallmark of a successful Sales Engineer. Whether it is attending a local tech seminar or completing an international online programme, you must stay ahead of the curve to remain an expert in the eyes of your clients.

Next Steps

Transitioning into Sales Engineering is a significant career move that offers both intellectual satisfaction and financial growth. If you recognise yourself in the traits listed above and are excited by the prospect of bridging the gap between technology and commerce, it is time to validate your potential. Do not leave your career to chance; test your readiness now by engaging with our comprehensive professional assessment to see if you are truly prepared to dominate the South African market.

Skills

Persuasion
Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Judgment and Decision Making
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Abilities

Oral Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Speech Clarity
The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
Deductive Reasoning
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Inductive Reasoning
The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Oral Comprehension
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

Education

How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation?

Bachelor's degree

57 %

Work Activities

Communicating with People Outside the Organization
Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
Getting Information
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Selling or Influencing Others
Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Working with Computers
Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Detailed Work Activities

Sell products or services.
Develop proposals for current or prospective customers.
Share sales-related or market information with colleagues.
Prepare sales or other contracts.
Contact current or potential customers to promote products or services.

Work Interests

Enterprising
Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertising, finance, management/administration, professional advising, public speaking, politics, or law.
Conventional
Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.