Job Description:
Miller® is about building things that matter. We lead the welding industry in building advanced, solution-focused products and meeting crucial needs for welding safety and health.
We're about the partnership and the work. Our products are designed with our users for manufacturing, fabrication, construction, aviation, motorsports, education, agriculture and marine applications.
Miller Electric Mfg. LLC, is headquartered in Appleton, Wisconsin, and wholly owned by Illinois Tool Works (http://www.itw.com/) (NYSE: ITW). The company maintains its industry leadership by setting the standard for reliability, quality and responsiveness. Our tagline, "The Power of Blue®," is inspired by the blue color of Miller equipment.
The company began with an innovation that responded to customer needs, growing from a one-man operation in 1929, to the world's largest manufacturer of arc welding products. Miller keeps the tradition alive by focusing on its top priority: people.
Job Summary
We are seeking a technically strong and commercially driven Applications Sales Specialist to support welding automation sales across the Jetline and Miller Automation product lines.
This role is responsible for application validation, technical quoting, and cross-functional coordination to ensure that customer solutions are properly scoped, accurately quoted, and aligned through build and customer acceptance.
The position serves as a critical link between Sales, Engineering, Operations, and the Customer to improve quoting speed, increase win rates, and reduce post-sale issues. This individual will also play a key role in leading the Jetline side of the sales process, providing technical direction, identifying risks, and ensuring alignment between what is sold and how systems perform in the field.
The ideal candidate brings a strong understanding of welding automation systems and demonstrates the ability to translate customer requirements into clear, executable solutions while maintaining alignment with product capabilities and business objectives.
Key Responsibilities
Application & Technical Sales Support
Lead technical discussions with Sales, customers, and channel partners to evaluate welding automation applications including circumferential welding, seam welders, track and carriage systems, control retrofits to customer's existing equipment, and column & boom systems
Assess application feasibility, system fit, and risk prior to quotation
Provide clear guidance on system capabilities, limitations, and expected performance
Lead the technical direction of Jetline opportunities within the sales process, ensuring solutions align with product strengths, application requirements, and customer expectations
Quoting & Proposal Development
Develop system and parts quotations based on customer requirements and sales requests
Translate application needs into structured system configurations and bill of materials
Ensure quotes are aligned with engineering standards, product capabilities, and delivery expectations
Maintain responsiveness to high-volume quoting requests while ensuring accuracy
Sales to Engineering Handoff
Create and submit detailed build sheets and technical documentation to Engineering
Participate in internal pre-production and kickoff meetings to review scope, risks, and open items
Ensure alignment between quoted solution and engineered system prior to release
Post-Sale Technical Support
Provide technical clarification and support for Service, Operations, and integration partners
Assist in identifying and quoting spare parts, system upgrades, and critical components
Support resolution of issues tied to application scope or system configuration
Act as a technical resource to Service teams by relaying customer feedback, system performance observations, and recurring issues to improve support effectiveness
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Work closely with Engineering, Product Management, Operations, and Sales teams to ensure alignment across the sales and execution process
Communicate effectively across internal teams to resolve technical questions and support project execution
Provide feedback on recurring application challenges and opportunities for product or process improvement
Provide structured feedback to Operations leadership, Electrical and Mechanical teams on system performance, build challenges, and recurring application risks to improve future execution and standardization
Channel & Global Support
Support distributor and integrator partners with technical application guidance and system recommendations
Engage with international sales teams and partners across Europe, India, South America, China, and Miller Beijing
Ensure consistent communication of product capabilities and solution expectations across regions
On-Site Run-Off & Build Support
Provide on-site support during system run-off and customer acceptance phases as required
Monitor electrical and mechanical build progress against quoted scope and application intent
Identify gaps, risks, and pain points during build and communicate to appropriate functional teams (Engineering, Operations, Electrical, Mechanical)
Act as a liaison between the build site, internal teams, and the customer to ensure alignment on system performance and expectations
Support management of customer expectations during run-off to prevent scope creep and misalignment with original quote
Escalate risks early to maintain delivery timelines and customer acceptance criteria
Observe system performance during run-off and communicate insights back to Operations leadership, Service, and Engineering teams to drive continuous improvement
Reinforce alignment between quoted solution, engineered system, and final system performance
Qualifications
Education and Experience
Associate or Bachelor's degree in Welding Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related technical field preferred
10+ years of experience in welding automation, applications engineering, technical sales, or system integration
Experience with Fixed Automated welding systems including positioning equipment, seam welders, track and carriage systems, welding control systems, circumferential/lathe style systems, manipulators, and power sources
Technical Skills
Strong understanding of welding processes and automation systems
Experience with system configuration, quoting, or applications support in a technical environment
Ability to interpret customer requirements and translate into system solutions
Familiarity with industrial automation components and system integration principles
Soft Skills
Strong communication skills with the ability to lead technical discussions with customers and internal teams
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, sales-driven environment
High attention to detail with a focus on accuracy and execution
Collaborative and solution-oriented mindset
Additional Requirements
Travel up to 15% may be required for customer engagement, training, and internal collaboration
Ability to support both on-site and remote technical discussions via phone and virtual platforms
Why This Role Matters
This role is a critical control point in the sales and execution process, ensuring that customer solutions are properly defined, accurately quoted, and aligned with real-world performance.
By validating applications upfront and driving clarity between Sales, Engineering, and the Customer, this position directly reduces post-sale issues, minimizes rework, and protects margin.
Through faster, more accurate quoting and consistent solution definition, the role also improves sales velocity and increases close rates while promoting standardization across the product line.
Ultimately, this position strengthens customer confidence, improves internal efficiency, and supports scalable growth across the welding automation business
Compensation Information:
$68,800 - $121,200
ITW is an equal opportunity employer. We value our colleagues' unique perspectives, experiences and ideas and create workplaces where everyone can develop their careers and perform to their full potential.
As an equal employment opportunity employer, ITW is committed to equal employment opportunity and fair treatment for employees, beginning with the hiring process and continuing through all aspects of the employment relationship.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected Veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.
