Business Development Manager; Controls & Automation

Since 1974, Shermco has become North America’s largest and fastest growing NETA-accredited electrical testing organization. In addition to testing, our Systems Integration division, Professional Engineering division, and Rotating Machinery division place Shermco in a position to handle all things electrical & controls. All work is performed with an emphasis on safety and client service.

Shermco System Integration (SSI), under Shermco Industries, is a leading provider of Electrical, Instrumentation, Controls, and Automation solutions serving industrial markets across North America. SSI delivers comprehensive engineering, programming, integration, control panel manufacturing, and field services that ensure our clients’ systems operate safely, efficiently, and reliably. From PLC/SCADA design and programing to UL508A panel fabrication, commissioning, and field execution, SSI provides full turnkey solutions across a variety of industries & end markets.

We are seeking a high-impact Business Development Manager (BDM) to own and drive pipeline development for Shermco System Integration (SSI) across an assigned territory in the United States. This role is a true hunter position responsible for identifying, creating, and advancing new opportunities in key growth markets, while leveraging the local Territory Account Managers. The BDM will be accountable for building a sustainable, qualified pipeline and expanding SSI’s presence in regions where we have limited or emerging coverage.

The ideal candidate combines technical credibility in controls and electrical systems with a proven ability to open doors, influence early project development, and position solutions before projects reach public bid. This role requires a highly proactive, self-directed individual who thrives in ambiguity and is motivated by building something new. We are seeking someone with either hands-on technical experience, or who has specifically sold system integration solutions / engineered control solutions vs.

products

Travel: ~50% (Western U.S.)

• Own and drive pipeline development across the Western U.S., with clear accountability for opportunity creation, qualification, and progression
• Identify and engage target customers, GCs, and end users in key markets including:
• Semiconductor
• Advanced manufacturing
• Oil & gas / energy infrastructure
• Develop and execute territory and account strategies to establish SSI in underpenetrated regions
• Proactively engage customers before RFP stage, influencing project scope and positioning SSI as a preferred partner
• Build and maintain relationships with engineering, operations, maintenance, and capital project stakeholders
• Translate customer challenges into actionable opportunities across SSI service lines:
• System integration and modernization
• Electrical engineering (480V and below)
• Field services, commissioning, and startup support
• Lead early-stage solution development, coordinating with engineering to shape scope, approach, and positioning
• Maintain disciplined pipeline management within CRM tools, including forecasting, activity tracking, and reporting
• Represent SSI in the market through industry events, site visits, and strategic customer engagement
• Partner internally with operations, engineering, and leadership to align pursuits with execution capability

• 7+ years of business development or technical sales experience in industrial automation, electrical systems, or system integration OR 5+ years of direct technical / hands-on experience in the controls & automation space
• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, industrial technology, electronics technology, or a related technical discipline or strong relative experience may be considered in lieu of a technical degree
• Demonstrated success or ability in building pipeline from zero or low baseline in new or underdeveloped regions
• Proven ability to identify opportunities early, influence specifications, and improve hit rate

Working knowledge of PLCs and automation systems, including:

• System architecture, I/O layout, and control philosophy development
• PLC migration and modernization from legacy platforms (e.g., PLC-5, SLC 500,…