Hartzell Propeller, founded in 1917 and headquartered in Piqua, Ohio, is the global leader in advanced aircraft propeller design and manufacturing for general aviation. The company supports both piston-engine and turboprop aircraft and provides custom propulsion solutions for electric, hybrid-electric, and advanced air mobility programs. Hartzell has continued to expand its capabilities through strategic acquisitions, including Tanis Aircraft Products in 2021 and Whirlwind Propeller in 2024, strengthening its experimental market offerings. Since 2024, Hartzell has also enhanced its MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) presence through the acquisition of 9 separate MRO facilities across North America and Europe.

Description

Hartzell Propeller is seeking a high-energy individual with a passion for aviation to join our Specialized Propeller Sales team as a Sales Representative. This role focuses primarily on responding to inbound sales inquiries via phone, email, and trade show interactions, with occasional outbound cold calling. The ideal candidate will have a solid understanding of general aviation aircraft and propeller systems, strong communication skills, and the ability to act as a liaison between customers and our applications engineering team to confirm design needs and specifications. This position requires occasional domestic travel for trade shows

Key Deliverables:

1) Establish self as a performer in the eyes of the customer while also setting mutual expectations that the companies can both embrace. 

2) Make and justify pricing and forecast recommendations. 

3) Internal program management of customer’s development project.

4) Daily leads management (phone, e-mail, etc.). 

5) Relationship building-external and internal. 

6) Domestic travel (Customer visits and tradeshows).

7) Lead generation for other Signia Aerospace companies, when applicable.

First Year Success Factors 

1) Maintains and strengthens new customer rapport/goodwill.

2) Independently manages customer development programs internally and externally with periodic reporting to Sr. Management.

3) Technical understanding of highly engineered propeller systems for general aviation aircraft.

4) Working knowledge of propeller/aircraft development and US/foreign certification cycle.

5) Working knowledge of Hartzell’s engineering life cycle for hardware configuration control.

6) Exhibits clear understanding of other Signia Aerospace company products and market position.

Education/Experience

Bachelor Degree is required preferably in a technical field.  A minimum of 5 years of sales experience required – aviation technical sales preferred. 

Technical Competencies

1) Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

2) Demonstrated mechanical aptitude.

3) Financial skills with exposure to margins, pricing and product costs.

4) Demonstrated ability to sell highly engineered manufactured products.

5) Demonstrated project management skills.

6) Negotiation skills.

7) CRM software experience.

8) Basic computer skills; (Microsoft Office, Outlook, keyboarding skills, MRP/ERP/PDM helpful).

Behavioral Characteristics 

1) Customer Focus - Makes customers and their needs a primary focus of one’s actions; develops and sustains productive customer relationships.

2) Builds Strategic Working Relationships – Develops and uses collaborative relationships to facilitate the accomplishment of work goals.

3) Sales Ability/Persuasiveness – Uses appropriate interpersonal styles and communication methods to gain acceptance of a product, service, or idea from prospects, clients and leadership team.

4) Continuous Learning – Actively identifies new areas for learning; regularly creates and takes advantage of learning opportunities; uses newly gained knowledge and skill on the job and learns through their application.

5) Initiates Action – Takes prompt action to accomplish objectives; takes action to achieve goals beyond what is required; is proactive.

6) Energy - Consistently maintains high levels of activity or productivity; sustain long working hours when necessary; operate with vigor. Effectiveness and determination over extended periods of time.

Our Culture

We are a team that prides ourselves on a culture that supports shared values of empowerment, accountability, drive, integrity, and respect. Our team shares a deep commitment to safety, collaboration, and a love for all things aviation. We offer a comprehensive compensation and benefits package to support your well-being and professional growth including medical, dental, vision, paid time off, life insurance, 401(K) plans with employer match, company provided Growth Participation Units (GPU) and so much more.  Our GPU benefit is unique to the industry and encourages all employees to think like owners and receive future financial reward for contributions to business growth.  Join our team to be part of a culture that encourages growth and development and celebrates our success.

Hartzell Propeller has a pre-employment and random Federal Drug & Alcohol Testing requirement and tests for marijuana, cocaine, opioids, amphetamines and phencyclidine in addition to alcohol.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veteran/Disability/E-Verify