Position Summary:
The Inside Sales Engineer Intern serves as a technical resource for quotation opportunities, application review, and customer solution development. Working closely with the Inside Sales Manager, Outside Sales, Engineering, Product Management, and Operations, this role provides technical and commercial support for valve automation and process control applications while contributing to our industry-leading customer service and shaping departmental processes and tools.
The ideal candidate possesses strong analytical and problem-solving skills, enjoys working with customers on technical applications, and seeks long-term career growth within Westlock Controls. Superior customer focus, collaborative work style and strong attention to detail are essential for success.
The Inside Sales Engineer Intern will respond to quotation questions, proactively follow-up on opportunities and work with Outside Sales to secure business. The associate will also enter sales orders and post-sale customer support.
Principle Duties (includes, but is not limited to)
Technical Application Support
- Serve as the technical resource for RFQs involving controls and monitoring products, including switchboxes, positioners, transmitters and accessories.
- Review customer specifications, datasheets, and technical requirements including hazardous area certifications and enclosure ratings to ensure compliance with project and application requirements.
- Provide product selection guidance to customers, distributors, OEMs, and Outside Sales personnel.
- Partner with Engineering and Product Management to evaluate non-standard applications and develop optimized technical solutions.
- Support strategic project opportunities through technical proposal development and customer clarification activities.
- Develop and maintain a relationship with Outside Sales to ensure closed loop communication between the customer and Westlock Controls.
- Deliver excellent service and responsiveness to customers, providing written quotations in a timely manner. Tracking and following up on quotation activity and maintaining accurate record.
Process Improvement & Operational Excellence
- Identify opportunities to streamline quotation, order entry, and customer support processes through automation, standardization, and best practices.
- Assist in the creation and maintenance of application guides, sizing tools, technical resources, and quotation standards.
- Lead or participate in continuous improvement projects focused on quote turnaround time, order accuracy, customer response time, and commercial efficiency.
- Support implementation and optimization of commercial systems including CRM and quote tool.
- Support accurate reporting of key performance metrics that improve visibility to quote activity, conversion rates, backlog, and commercial performance.
Organizational Development
- Work closely with the Inside Sales Manager to learn business processes, commercial strategy, customer management, and leadership responsibilities.
- Cross-train within multiple commercial functions to build organizational flexibility and capability.
- Support training and mentoring of team members in areas of technical product knowledge, application review, and quoting best practices.
Other Duties
- Process and investigate RGA, Return Goods Authorization. Works closely with accounting to ensure credits and debits are resolved in a timely manner.
- Setting up of new customer accounts and relevant paperwork (CP-220 process)
- Assisting with reporting duties in the absence of the Inside Sales Manager
- Performs other duties as required
Essential Qualifications / Experience
- In process of obtaining bachelor's degree in engineering, Engineering Technology, Industrial Distribution, or related technical discipline preferred. Equivalent industry experience will also be considered.
- Strong technical aptitude with the ability to interpret customer specifications, engineering drawings, and technical documentation.
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively with customers, distributors, engineers, and sales personnel.
- Highly organized with strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and other Microsoft Office applications.
- You must be self-motivated and competitive, but also a team player.
Preferred
- 2+ years of experience in industrial automation, valves, actuators, instrumentation, process control, or related industrial products.
- Experience supporting technical quotations, engineered products, project sales, or application engineering activities.
- Knowledge of hazardous area certifications, valve automation, instrumentation, positioners, limit switches, pneumatic actuators or related process automation equipment.
- Experience working with ERP, CRM, or CPQ systems.
Career Development Opportunity
This position is intended for individuals seeking to build a long-term career within Westlock Controls and Crane Company. Through mentorship, technical training, and cross-functional exposure, the successful candidate will develop capabilities that can lead to advancement opportunities in senior inside sales, outside sales, commercial leadership, or product management roles.
Salary range: $25.00 hourly. Several factors contribute to actual salary, including experience in a similar role or performing comparable job responsibilities, skills, training, and other qualifications. Compensation packages also include comprehensive benefits, 401K contribution and match, Paid Time Off, paid holidays, tuition reimbursement and more. Some roles may be eligible for participation in performance-based bonus programs.
This description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work being performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.
Crane Company. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, general identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.
