Sales Engineer/Business Development Manager

About the Role

Apex Integration is hiring a Sales Engineer / Business Development Manager to own and grow our Middle Tennessee territory. You will build relationships with manufacturers across a roughly 3-hour radius of Nashville, turn plant-floor problems into engineered automation projects, and grow repeat business with the accounts you win. This is a senior individual-contributor role with full ownership of territory strategy, pipeline, and customer relationships.

What You'll Do

Territory and pipeline ownership

• Own sales across a ~3-hour drive radius of Nashville, covering Middle Tennessee and surrounding markets in Kentucky, Alabama, and neighboring states.
• Build and execute a territory plan that prioritizes automotive OEMs, Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers, food and consumer goods, distribution, and other advanced manufacturers.
• Manage a disciplined pipeline in the CRM from first contact through award, with accurate forecasting and timely follow-up.
• Meet or exceed annual bookings and gross margin targets.

Customer relationships

• Develop trusted relationships with plant managers, maintenance and controls leaders, manufacturing and process engineers, and procurement.
• Grow existing accounts into repeat and program business. The goal is not just this project but the next one.
• Lead with warm introductions and referrals, leveraging partner, OEM, and Abel Construction relationships to open doors.

Solution selling

• Lead with Apex's integration services: controls engineering, PLC/HMI programming, custom panels, industrial electrical, robotics, and lifecycle service programs.
• Attach product sales (robots, welding equipment, aluminum framing and guarding) where they strengthen the solution.
• Walk plants with customers to identify downtime, throughput, safety, and labor challenges, and translate them into scoped opportunities.
• Partner with Apex engineering to define scope, develop proposals and estimates, and present solutions to customers.
• Negotiate terms and close, then hand off cleanly to project management and stay engaged through delivery.

Partners and market presence

• Work closely with OEM partner and distributor sales teams to pursue joint opportunities and convert partner-sourced leads.
• Identify cross-sell opportunities with Abel Construction on new plants, expansions, and retooling projects.
• Represent Apex at trade shows, industry events, and customer site visits.
• Share market intelligence on competitors, customer capital plans, and emerging projects with leadership.

What You Bring

Required

• 5+ years of B2B sales or business development in industrial automation, controls, robotics, industrial electrical, or manufacturing services.
• Established relationships with manufacturing decision-makers in Middle Tennessee or the surrounding region. This carries significant weight.
• A track record of winning and growing accounts through relationship-driven, consultative selling.
• Working knowledge of how plants run: production lines, maintenance priorities, downtime drivers, and capital project cycles.
• Comfort walking a plant floor and holding a credible conversation with engineers and maintenance teams.
• Strong communication, proposal, and presentation skills.
• Proficiency with CRM tools and Microsoft Office.
• Valid driver's license, clean driving record, and willingness to travel regionally with occasional overnights.

Preferred

• Technical background in controls, automation, or robotics (engineer, technician, integrator, or OEM/distributor rep).
• Familiarity with Rockwell, Siemens, FANUC, or similar platforms.
• Experience selling both engineered services and capital equipment.
• Existing network within automotive OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers.
• Bachelor's degree in engineering, engineering technology, or business, or equivalent experience.

Location and Travel

This role is based in Nashville, TN. Expect frequent day travel to customer sites across the ~3-hour territory, with occasional overnight trips for multi-day site visits, trade shows, and partner meetings.

Why Apex

• Ownership of a growing territory with real influence on how Apex scales its sales function.
• Executive leadership with hands-on experience in automation and commissioning.
• A hands-on engineering team that backs you on scoping and delivery.
• Strong OEM and distribution partnerships that give you a full solution to sell.
• Access to large industrial and capital projects through our relationship with Abel Construction.
• Competitive compensation, incentives, and benefits.