Applied Sales Engineer – Commercial HVAC
Location: Southern Chicagoland – Will County, Kankakee County & Northern Indiana
Benefits
- 401(k) with company match
- Health insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- Paid time off
- Paid holidays
- Vehicle allowance
- Professional development and training opportunities
Full Job Description
Build your career with the Gunn & Pegelow team!
Gunn & Pegelow is seeking an experienced Applied Sales Engineer to drive sales growth and develop specifications for commercial and applied HVAC systems throughout Southern Chicagoland, including Will County, Kankakee County, and Northern Indiana.
This role combines strong HVAC technical knowledge, consultative sales ability, and advanced computer proficiency. You will work with consulting engineers, mechanical contractors, facility managers, building owners, OEMs, and end users to identify opportunities, influence project specifications, support design-build initiatives, and develop engineered HVAC solutions.
The ideal candidate is technically strong, highly computer proficient, comfortable developing customer relationships, and motivated to grow an assigned territory.
Compensation
$75,000 base + uncapped commission; experienced/established Sales Engineers have significant six-figure earning potential
What We Offer
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k) with company match
- Vehicle allowance
- Paid time off and paid holidays
- Professional development, technical, manufacturer, and factory training
- Collaborative sales, engineering, and operations environment
- Opportunity to build a territory and develop long-term customer relationships
What You Will Do
As an Applied Sales Engineer, you will develop customer relationships, create project opportunities, provide technical HVAC support, and grow sales throughout your assigned territory.
You will work with customers from the early stages of project development through specification, equipment selection, budgeting, proposal development, and sale.
How Will You Do It
- Develop and maintain long-term relationships with consulting engineers, mechanical contractors, facility managers, building owners, OEMs, and end users through regular sales calls, customer visits, and project engagement.
- Develop and execute territory growth strategies to increase market share and revenue throughout Southern Chicagoland and Northern Indiana.
- Identify and pursue new project opportunities and support specification development and equipment selection during the design phase.
- Provide application engineering support and recommend commercial and applied HVAC solutions based on customer and project requirements.
- Review plans, specifications, drawings, schedules, and other construction documents.
- Prepare equipment selections, budgets, proposals, and technical solutions throughout the sales process.
- Support project design discussions, value-engineering initiatives, design-build opportunities, and technical troubleshooting.
- Coordinate with manufacturers, engineering, product management, and operations teams to resolve technical and application issues.
- Manage opportunities through the sales pipeline, maintain accurate CRM and forecasting information, and work toward assigned revenue, growth, and market-share targets.
- Conduct product demonstrations, lunch-and-learns, technical presentations, and other customer education activities.
- Participate in industry events, customer seminars, factory visits, and manufacturer-led training programs.
- Monitor competitor activity, market trends, customer needs, HVAC technologies, industry standards, and energy-efficiency initiatives.
What We Look For
Required
- Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering. Candidates with other engineering degrees, including Electrical, Industrial, Architectural, or related disciplines, will also be considered.
- 5+ years of HVAC application engineering, consulting engineering, technical sales, or manufacturer representative experience.
- Strong understanding of HVAC systems, including applied equipment, fan applications, psychrometrics and humidity control, DDC control systems, laboratory ventilation systems, and energy optimization.
- Ability to interpret technical specifications, engineering drawings, and construction documents.
- Experience with HVAC equipment selection software, estimating tools, and technical product applications.
- Strong technical aptitude and problem-solving skills.
- Strong computer and technology proficiency is required. This position works extensively in a Mac-based, computer-driven environment using HVAC selection software, CRM systems, Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, email, web-based applications, and other technical programs. Candidates must be able to learn new software independently, navigate multiple applications efficiently, and demonstrate strong general computer skills, including a minimum typing speed of 60 WPM.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate technical information effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences.
- Valid driver’s license and ability to travel throughout the assigned territory.
Preferred
- Experience working for an HVAC manufacturer representative, equipment supplier, consulting engineering firm, or mechanical contractor.
- Knowledge of critical-environment systems, applied equipment, airside systems, and building automation systems.
- Professional Engineering (PE) license or EIT certification is a plus.
- Established relationships within the Chicagoland and Northern Indiana consulting engineering, contractor, and HVAC community.
- Active participation in ASHRAE is a plus.
Travel and Physical Requirements
- Frequent local travel throughout the assigned territory, approximately 50–75%.
- Ability to visit engineering offices, customer locations, industrial facilities, and construction sites, including areas that may require the use of ladders.
- Occasional lifting of product samples and demonstration equipment.
Join Gunn & Pegelow and bring your technical expertise, computer proficiency, and drive for growth to our Applied Sales Team.
Pay: From $75,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
- Work from home
Application Question(s):
- Do you have at least 5 years of professional experience in commercial HVAC application engineering, consulting engineering, technical sales, or manufacturer representative work?
Education:
Willingness to travel:
Work Location: On the road
