Sales Engineer – Mechanical Construction

Location: Gaithersburg, MD

On-Target Earnings: $150,000+ during the first year, including base salary, commission, vehicle allowance, and additional perks

Position Summary

Our client is seeking a technically skilled and relationship-driven Sales Engineer in Gaithersburg, Maryland, to develop mechanical construction solutions for commercial customers. This role combines engineering, estimating, business development, and customer relationship management to help clients move complex HVAC, plumbing, piping, and design-build projects from concept through preconstruction.

The Sales Engineer will work closely with customers, general contractors, engineers, vendors, subcontractors, and internal sales and operations teams to identify opportunities, define project scope, prepare accurate estimates, and develop competitive technical proposals. The ideal candidate can translate customer challenges into practical, cost-effective mechanical solutions while building strong, long-term business relationships.

About Our Client

Our client is an established, full-service mechanical, electrical, and plumbing contractor serving commercial and industrial customers. Its teams support a broad range of operations, including new construction, mechanical service, industrial refrigeration, manufacturing, HVAC, plumbing, piping, and sheet metal.

Known for technical expertise, quality workmanship, and responsive customer service, our client offers employees opportunities for professional growth, career advancement, and long-term success.

Compensation and Benefits

• First-year on-target earnings of $150,000 or more
• Competitive base salary
• Sales commission based on meeting established quota
• Vehicle allowance and gas card
• Career development and advancement opportunities
• 401(k) plan with company match
• Paid time off and paid holidays
• Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee referral incentives

Sales Engineer Responsibilities

• Develop value-driven mechanical project solutions for existing and prospective customers.
• Create competitive advantages in negotiated and bid opportunities through value engineering and technical problem-solving.
• Prepare detailed cost estimates, budgets, and technical proposals for commercial HVAC and mechanical construction projects.
• Focus on design-build projects and complex mechanical opportunities requiring technical analysis and engineered solutions.
• Serve as the primary technical point of contact during the preconstruction and proposal-development phases.
• Review project requirements and ensure estimates, proposals, and technical recommendations are accurate and complete.
• Collaborate with customers to define clear project scopes and identify technical, commercial, and operational requirements.
• Translate customer needs into actionable information for estimating, engineering, sales, and operations teams.
• Engage with customers, engineers, general contractors, vendors, and subcontractors to identify new business opportunities.
• Qualify prospective projects by evaluating scope, risk, delivery strategy, award timelines, customer expectations, and overall fit.
• Partner with the sales team to develop and refine project budgets.
• Perform HVAC and mechanical equipment analysis, system evaluations, and conceptual design support.
• Stay current on applicable building codes, mechanical codes, standards, and industry requirements.
• Provide customers with technical guidance to support compliance throughout the project lifecycle.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key vendors and subcontractors.
• Obtain competitive pricing and support reliable, high-quality project execution.
• Monitor market conditions, customer needs, and competitor activity to identify emerging opportunities.
• Support project turnover by clearly communicating scope, assumptions, pricing, risks, and customer expectations to internal operations teams.
• Maintain accurate customer, opportunity, estimating, and sales documentation.

Qualifications

• Experience in sales engineering, mechanical design, estimating, preconstruction, or business development within the commercial construction industry.
• Strong technical understanding of HVAC, ductwork, plumbing, piping, and mechanical building systems.
• Ability to understand customer challenges and develop practical engineered solutions.
• Experience preparing cost estimates, budgets, and technical proposals for commercial mechanical projects.
• Business development experience working with general contractors or commercial construction customers.
• Strong customer relationship and account-management skills.
• Ability to manage customer expectations, perceptions, and project requirements.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel for estimating, budgeting, analysis, and engineering-related functions.
• Strong communication, presentation, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with customers, engineers, vendors, subcontractors, sales professionals, and operations teams.
• Knowledge of strategic planning, cost forecasting, resource allocation, and business management principles.
• Ability to manage multiple opportunities and priorities in a fast-paced sales and construction environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Building Construction, Construction Engineering Management, or a related discipline.
• Experience developing design-build HVAC and mechanical construction projects.
• Background in mechanical engineering, system design, or commercial HVAC estimating.
• Experience selling complex mechanical construction or service solutions.
• Familiarity with commercial construction contracts, project delivery methods, and preconstruction processes.
• Established relationships with general contractors, engineers, property owners, or facilities leaders.
• Military experience in engineering, construction, logistics, operations, or technical leadership is valued.

Our client is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans. Veterans and candidates with previous military experience are encouraged to apply.