Technical Outside Sales Engineer, Industrial Automation experience required

Territory Technical Sales Engineer – Greater San Diego area

Provoast Automation Controls – Family-Owned Industrial Automation Distributor

Location: Home-based, localized travel in the San Diego area. Must live in or near territory.

About Provoast Automation Controls

We don’t just sell components; we deliver automation solutions. Provoast Automation & Controls is an established, respected, family-owned distributor of high-quality pneumatic and electrical automation solutions — valves, actuators, controls, and more — helping manufacturers in southern CA, AZ, NM, Baha and Mexico boost efficiency, cut costs, increase profitability and solve workforce shortages. Our work directly improves production lines and, ultimately, the communities around them, positioning us perfectly in today’s economy for long-term growth. We run with old-school integrity: do the job right, take care of people, and build lasting relationships. That approach has created a team of long-tenured, genuinely content employees who stick around because they’re treated well.

The Role

We’re seeking a Technical Sales Engineer / Outside Sales Professional to own and grow our established territory in San Diego and Imperial counties. This is a classic field sales role with strong technical depth — ideal if you thrive on independence, solving real manufacturing problems, and directly controlling your income through performance.

Key Responsibilities

Work from your home office and travel locally to manufacturing plants 4-5 days per week, conducting 15-20 high-quality in-person client visits weekly. Supplement with virtual meetings as needed.

Build and expand relationships with existing customers while prospecting new ones through targeted research and proactive cold calling.

Dive deep into customers’ operations — their goals, processes, and pain points — to become a trusted advisor who delivers tailored automation solutions.

Identify key decision-makers, cultivate professional relationships, and collaborate with our inside sales team, technical support, and vendor partners to solve complex automation needs.

For major projects, step in as de facto project manager to keep timelines on track and questions answered.

Manage your sales funnel diligently, forecast sales accurately, track activity against annual goals, and review progress regularly with the Sales Manager to refine strategies and maximize results.

What We’re Looking For:

High-level mechanical/technical aptitude — essential for understanding and demonstrating automation solutions effectively.

Factory or manufacturing automation experience highly preferred (e.g., hands-on with pneumatics, controls, or related systems).

Proven sales success preferred — especially in technical/consultative or industrial B2B environments.

Bi-Lingual/Bi-Cultural (English and Spanish) is highly preferred to ensure good communications with all of our clients.

Self-starter with grit, urgency, internal drive, entrepreneurial mindset, strategic thinking, and a genuine desire to WIN.

Assertive, persuasive, resilient, and customer-focused — you build trust through competence and results.

Must reside in or near the territory (This is field-based, not remote in the modern sense.)

Education options we value:

• B.S. in Engineering, Industrial Technology, or Mechatronics…or

• BS/BA in Business/Marketing paired with strong mechanical aptitude and industrial sales background…or

• AS in a technical field plus 5+ years relevant experience.

Compensation & Benefits:

Competitive base salary (based on experience), plus uncapped commission. Total starting Comp $90,000–$125,000 — your earnings reflect your direct impact.

Company-provided laptop plus phone/internet allowance

Mileage reimbursement for business travel in your personal vehicle

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) retirement plan

Why this Could Be Your Long-Term Career:

If you have factory automation experience under your belt, solid mechanical skills, and the drive to run your territory like your own business, this role offers what many professionals value: autonomy with accountability, variety--never the same day twice, continuous technical learning in a booming field, and compensation that rewards hustle without micromanagement.

You’ll work with cutting-edge technologies, help manufacturers thrive, and enjoy the stability of an established and respected family-owned company that values its people.

Sound like you? Apply today — we’re looking for someone ready to hit the ground running and build something that lasts.

Provoast Automation Controls is an equal opportunity employer.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $90,000.00 - $125,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Application Question(s):

• Will you now or in the future require sponsorship for employment status (e.g., H-1B visa status, E-3 visa petition, O-1 visa petition, TN status, etc.)?
• Describe your hands-on e