Business Development Engineer

NGK AUTOMOTIVE CERAMICS, U.S.A., INC. is a subsidiary of the leading ceramic technology company NGK INSULATORS LTD., located in Nagoya, Japan. NGK AUTOMOTIVE CERAMICS U.S.A., INC. directly supports and supplies all major automobile manufacturers and heavy‑duty diesel manufacturers with high‑performance components for emission control systems. NGK is developing alternate technologies to enter the Net Zero market, such as sub‑nano ceramic membrane and others.

We are currently seeking a Business Development Engineer to join our team. The BDE will research the market and implement a technology assessment to determine the business feasibility and viability to develop a customer base as well as collaboration opportunities in new fields.

The Business Development Engineer will play a key role in driving new business development initiatives in North America. The BDE will independently plan and execute activities, build strong external and internal networks, and foster a culture of innovation. Develop and enhance close collaboration with global teams and participate in regular communication with headquarters.

• Independently plan and execute business development activities in alignment with organizational goals
• Estimate the size of the target markets, estimate business opportunities, and create a hypothesis for NGK’s winning strategy
• Build and maintain strong relationships with external partners and internal members
• Collect, analyze, and report on market and technology trends related to target areas in carbon neutrality and energy
• Monitor and share updates on relevant regulations, subsidies and policy developments in a timely manner based on instructions from supervisor
• Organize and lead regular meetings with headquarters, ensuring effective communication and alignment
• Ensure meetings with customers capturing detailed reports, outcomes and necessary actions whilst documenting the details and capturing them on the database
• Collaborate HQ NV to communicate/interchange customer requirements and establish best case solutions from a commercial and technical perspective
• Negotiate with HQ to obtain the appropriate support necessary to conduct business operations
• Coordinate the negotiation of contracts, contractual changes, preparations of proposals and conditions of contracts with the support of HQ
• Lead and/or support new business initiatives, demonstrating a willingness to explore unfamiliar domains
• Identify suitable customers and partners and win over your technical counterparts for joint pilot and innovation projects
• Collaborate with international colleagues in Japan and Europe to develop a common product strategy and business roadmap
• Represent NGK at conferences and trade shows and network and maintain the best contacts with relevant market participants, multipliers, and research institutions.
• Increase awareness of NGK solutions and position us as the first address for ceramic membranes and other products
• Promote a culture of innovation and challenge within NAU and NGK
• Ensures compliance and support of company policies, procedures, and objectives
• Perform duties as deemed necessary by direct supervisor and senior management

Experience: Three (3) years of engineering sales, relationship building and customer‑facing experience. An existing network in Oil & Gas and/or plant industries is a plus.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in one of the following areas:
Chemical Engineering, Process Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemistry, Physics, Materials Science or equivalent. MBA or Master’s degree is a plus.

Skills / Aptitude: Ability to engage in business discussions with customers. Strong customer interface and negotiation skills. Proactive task and project completion. Strategic planning and execution. Deliver, participate in presentations and meetings. Gather and analyze market and technical information, and produce insightful reports in target areas. Apply logic and reasoning to identify strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

Effective oral and written communication skills. Excellent interpersonal skills, computer literate. Strong sense of initiative and accountability in driving new business developments. High ethical standards and compliance awareness. Embrace an innovative culture.

Office environment. Overtime may be required to meet deadlines for assigned tasks.

Domestic and international travel is required.