Benchmark Automation & Controls, the Mid-Atlantic’s premier specialist in energy management, building automation, and intelligent control solutions, is seeking an experienced and driven Sales Engineer to help expand our presence throughout the DC Metro area.
This is an exciting opportunity for a seasoned sales professional with a strong background in Building Automation Systems (BAS), HVAC controls, mechanical systems, or industrial automation who thrives on building relationships, identifying opportunities, and owning the sales process from initial conversation through project award.
In this role, you will serve as a trusted advisor to contractors, engineers, developers, building owners, and other key decision-makers. You will leverage your technical knowledge and business acumen to uncover customer needs, influence project specifications, develop customized solutions, and grow long-term partnerships.
We are looking for someone who is comfortable working independently in the field, enjoys the challenge of developing new business, and brings the confidence and experience to take ownership of a territory. If you understand the BAS and controls market, know how to navigate complex sales cycles, and enjoy turning relationships into long-term business opportunities, we want to hear from you.
What You’ll Do
As a Business Development Representative, you will play a key role in driving revenue growth and strengthening Benchmark’s presence throughout the DC Metro market. Your responsibilities will include:
- Develop and execute a strategic business development plan to identify, pursue, and secure new opportunities throughout the assigned territory.
- Prospect, qualify, and develop new business by building strong relationships with mechanical contractors, general contractors, consulting engineers, developers, facility owners, and other industry stakeholders.
- Build a strong pipeline of opportunities across Plan & Spec, Design-Build, and Direct-to-Developer sales channels.
- Engage customers early in the project lifecycle to understand their needs and influence specifications with innovative, value-driven building automation and controls solutions.
- Identify opportunities to position Benchmark as a trusted technical resource and long-term partner rather than simply a product provider.
- Conduct discovery meetings, customer presentations, demonstrations, and solution-based discussions with key decision-makers.
- Collaborate with consulting engineers and design professionals to support specifications and drive Benchmark solutions into project designs.
- Develop strong relationships with contractors and project teams by understanding their workflows, schedules, project requirements, and business priorities.
- Respond to RFPs and bid opportunities by developing compelling proposals that clearly communicate technical capabilities, value, and return on investment.
- Lead negotiations and work closely with customers to develop mutually beneficial solutions that drive projects to a successful close.
- Maintain ownership of the sales process from initial prospecting through proposal development, contract negotiation, project award, and customer handoff.
- Grow existing accounts through renewals, repeat business, upselling, cross-selling, and identifying additional opportunities within customer portfolios.
- Communicate the value of building automation solutions through discussions around ROI, energy savings, lifecycle value, operational efficiency, and total cost of ownership.
- Stay informed on market trends, competitor activity, customer needs, emerging technologies, and opportunities within the BAS and controls industry.
- Represent Benchmark at industry events, networking opportunities, customer meetings, and professional organizations.
- Partner closely with internal engineering, operations, project management, service, and leadership teams to ensure a seamless customer experience from sales through project execution.
- Maintain accurate sales forecasts, pipeline activity, account information, and opportunity updates.
- Take a proactive and strategic approach to territory management, consistently identifying new opportunities and developing plans to achieve growth objectives.
What You’ll Bring to the Table
We are looking for a confident, relationship-driven sales professional who combines technical knowledge with strong business instincts. The ideal candidate will bring:
- 5+ years of experience in Building Automation Systems (BAS), HVAC controls, mechanical systems, industrial automation, or a closely related technical field preferred.
- Proven success in outside B2B sales, business development, account management, or technical solution selling.
- Experience selling complex technical products, systems, or services within the construction, mechanical, industrial, energy management, or commercial building industries.
- Strong knowledge of the BAS and controls market, including the ability to understand customer applications and communicate technical solutions effectively.
- Experience working within Plan & Spec, Design-Build, and Direct-to-Developer sales environments.
- The ability to communicate effectively with mechanical contractors, general contractors, consulting engineers, developers, and building owners.
- Strong presentation, negotiation, relationship-building, and closing skills.
- The business acumen to confidently discuss project value, ROI, lifecycle costs, energy efficiency, and total cost of ownership.
- Experience managing long and complex sales cycles involving multiple stakeholders and decision-makers.
- A strong network within the DC Metro construction, mechanical, engineering, or building automation market is a plus.
- Experience with Schneider Electric products or solutions is highly preferred.
- A self-starter mentality with the ability to work independently, manage priorities, and take ownership of results.
- A competitive and resilient mindset with the energy and drive to consistently pursue new opportunities.
- The confidence and experience to own a territory, build a book of business, and drive the sales process with minimal oversight.
- Excellent organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple opportunities simultaneously.
- Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
- A collaborative mindset and the ability to work effectively across sales, engineering, operations, project management, and service teams.
Why You’ll Love Working Here:
- Competitive base salary with commission structure!
- Health & Wellness: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans to keep you and your family covered, including free preventive care and affordable prescription options.
- Life & Disability Insurance: Company-paid life insurance and disability coverage, with options to enhance your benefits.
- Retirement Savings: 401(k) plan with a generous company match to help secure your future, with immediate vesting.
- Paid Time Off: Enjoy paid holidays and a PTO plan that grows with your years of service.
- Opportunities for Career Advancement and Professional Development: We provide education assistance to help you grow your skills and career.
- Extra Perks: Flexible Spending Accounts, employee discounts, and 24/7 confidential support through our Employee Assistance Program.
About Us:
Benchmark Automation & Controls (Benchmark), A Fidelity Company, is the Mid-Atlantic’s premier specialist in energy management and automation. Through state-of-the-art technologies and our preventive maintenance plans, we help our clients manage their energy and process it in ways that are safe, reliable, efficient, sustainable, and long-term. We support Schneider Electric™ legacy systems —TAC I/NET and TAC Vista. We also support BACnet MS/TP and BACnet/IP communication protocols, as well as LonWorks and MODBUS©.
From the simplest of switches to complex operational systems, our technology, software, and services, Benchmark improves the way our customers manage and automate our operations.
