Sales Engineers

High School

Sales engineers have backgrounds in science, math, computer science, robotics, and other technical areas. A solid foundation for this type of work includes classes in mathematics, engineering, computer science, and chemistry. Classes in business and English are also useful for the general sales work that is entailed and to improve communication skills with customers.

Postsecondary Education

A bachelor's degree in engineering or a similar field is usually required to be a sales engineer. Depending on their specialty, sales engineers may have a degree in business or a science field, such as chemistry. Essential classes are math, physical science, and computer science. Common majors include electrical, mechanical, or civil engineering. Some sales engineers have academic backgrounds in chemical, biomedical, or hardware engineering.

Certification

Undergraduate and graduate certificate programs in technical sales, engineering, information technology, and related fields are offered by colleges and universities. For example, the University of Akron (Akron, Ohio) offers a professional selling for engineering certificate to students who complete the following required courses: Professional Selling, Business Negotiations, and Advanced Professional Selling. They also must complete one elective course. Examples of these courses include Project Management and Teamwork, Design of Medical Devices, Design of Medical Imaging Systems, and Concepts of Design. Programs typically last six months to a year and are available in online, in-person, and hybrid formats. Contact schools in your area for information about available programs. 

Other Education or Training

Participating in continuing education (CE) classes is a great way to keep your skills up to date, and CE credits may also be required to renew one’s certification. These opportunities are provided by professional associations (e.g., National Association of Sales Professionals, Sales Management Association), colleges and universities, and for-profit online learning platforms. Contact these organizations for more information.