Summary 

The Solutions Development Engineer serves a vital role in supporting new business development (sales) and retaining existing clientele. This includes the development of automated system solutions that fulfill the project requirements including design, and pricing.

Essential Job Functions

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Review initial customer/project requirements either in the form of a customer provided RFQ or a viastore submitted RFI.

2. Work closely with client, consultant and sales team to clarify stated system requirements, objectives, and expected deliverables 

3. Develop system solutions based on client needs or projected growth plans considering budget, ROI target requirements and industry best practices utilizing viastore products, services and integration capabilities

4. Develop request for quotes for external vendors and internal departments (cranes, controls, software, and fabrication). Review and compare bids to establish a selected vendor for each category

5. Work with internal team and vendors to provide most cost effective solution while meeting customer needs

6. Organize project costs and conduct internal pricing review meetings with all participating departments and company executives to finalize agreed upon costs

7. Coordinate the development of proposals with all supporting parties including internal and external resources to proper document system functionality, equipment, controls, software, execution, schedule, pricing, viastore/client responsibilities/clarifications and commercial terms

8. Work effectively in a team environment interacting with various internal departments and staff in the US and Germany (English speaking).

9. Work outside of typical worktime (evenings and weekends) when required for completion of duties.

Competencies

1. Perform data analysis required for the development of the a material flow diagram using Excel and Access and the ability to assess the ROI of a project.

2. Good presentation and written skills for creating proposals and conducting in person and web design presentations with the customer.

3. An understanding of WMS/WCS as it relates to the overall business process solution.

4. The ability to read, analyze and interpret technical requests for proposals, operations data.

5. Ethical conduct. 

6. Time management skills.

7. Ability to work successfully in a team environment. 

8. Ability to manage multiple projects.

9. Ability to effectively respond to common inquiries and complaints from internal customers. 

Supervisory Responsibility

This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities, but does serve as a coach and mentor for other positions in the company. 

Work Environment

This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines. 

During travel to customer locations, the employee may be exposed to various environments, which may include warehouse or manufacturing areas. These may require the use of personal protective equipment such as safety glasses with side shields and mandatory hearing protection.

Physical Demands 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit. The employee frequently is required to walk; use hands to touch, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision color vision and the ability to adjust focus. *Physical demands may be greater than listed based upon the customer location or job site.

Travel Requirements 

National travel to clients will be common; frequently, travel is outside the local area and overnight. Approximately 15% - 25% travel can be expected. International travel to Germany for annual training may be required as well.

Required Education and Experience 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. High School diploma / GED required 

2. 2 or more years’ experience in the Automated Material Handling Industry with experience in system design / engineering and cost calculations preferably involving both ASRS and Conveyor Systems.

3. Experience with AutoCAD, MS product suite including Word, Excel, MS Project

4. Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

5. The ability to effectively present information (verbally and written) to the Project Manager, senior management and customers.

Preferred Education and Experience

1. Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Computer Science. 

2. 5+ year’s related experience in the Material Handling field

3. AutoCAD 3D, 3D Demo, or equivalent experience is beneficial.

Additional Eligibility Qualifications

None

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee of this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.