Technical Sales Engineer

Role: Technical Sales Engineer Location: On-site in San Jose, California Interview Coordinator: John Marioni ABOUT US Freshly backed by some of the top VCs in Silicon Valley, Trener is redefining robotics by combining advanced AI for intuitive programming with pre-trained skill models that are experts at industrial tasks. With offices in San Francisco (USA) and Trondheim (Norway), we provide software that gives users unprecedented ease-of-use and capabilities for their robots, allowing them to think, adapt, and perform complex tasks like a skilled worker. ABOUT THE ROLE We are seeking a dynamic Technical Sales Engineer to drive revenue growth by combining deep robotics expertise with exceptional sales skills. This role serves as the technical bridge between our robotic solutions and our integrator partners and prospective customers, translating complex technical capabilities into compelling business value. The ideal candidate will lead technical sales activities, conduct product demonstrations and training, and collaborate with partners to design tailored automation solutions. RESPONSIBILITIES TECHNICAL SALES & PARTNER ENGAGEMENT - Lead technical sales presentations and product demonstrations - Conduct on-site assessments to understand customer needs - Develop ROI analyses and business cases for automation solutions - Support the full sales cycle from lead qualification to contract closure - Build relationships with technical stakeholders and decision-makers SOLUTION DESIGN & ENGINEERING - Design custom robotic solutions with partners and customers - Create technical proposals, specifications, and project scopes - Ensure solutions are technically feasible and commercially viable - Develop proof-of-concepts and pilot proposals - Provide input on pricing and timelines PRODUCT EXPERTISE & MARKET INTELLIGENCE - Maintain deep knowledge of robotic platforms and capabilities - Stay current on industry trends and competitors - Provide feedback to product teams on customer needs - Represent the company at trade shows and events - Create technical content (case studies, application notes) CUSTOMER SUPPORT & PROJECT MANAGEMENT - Provide pre-sales technical support - Coordinate smooth project handoffs to delivery teams - Support contract negotiations with technical input - Manage multiple sales opportunities simultaneously - Participate in post-sales activities and expansion opportunities CROSS-FUNCTIONAL COLLABORATION - Work with sales, marketing, and engineering on go-to-market strategy - Provide input on product roadmap - Support marketing with technical content - Mentor junior sales team members REQUIREMENTS EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE - Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, or related field - 3–5 years in technical sales, applications engineering, or similar roles - Experience with industrial automation or manufacturing systems - Proven track record of hitting sales targets in B2B environments SALES & COMMUNICATION SKILLS - Strong presentation and public speaking skills - Ability to explain complex concepts to non-technical audiences - Customer-focused mindset - Negotiation skills and commercial awareness - Experience with CRM tools (Salesforce, HubSpot, etc.) PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES - Results-driven and highly motivated - Self-starter with strong ownership mindset - Strong problem-solving ability - Professional and confident with executive stakeholders - Adaptable in a fast-paced environment WHAT WILL DIFFERENTIATE YOU - Master’s degree or MBA - 5+ years in robotics or automation - Experience selling capital equipment or complex systems - Relevant industry certifications - Experience in key verticals (automotive, food & beverage, logistics) - Knowledge of lean manufacturing and Industry 4.0 - Multilingual capabilities - Channel partner management experience TRAVEL & WORK ENVIRONMENT - Extensive travel to customer sites, trade shows, and training - Work in industrial environments during demos - Flexibl