Sales Engineer Trainee - Industrial Pumps & Process Equipment

Sales Engineer Trainee – Tencarva Machinery Company

Apply now for the Sales Engineer Trainee role at Tencarva Machinery Company.

The training program will be based at our Detroit Pump division in Warren, MI, but may involve temporary residence at other Tencarva training locations. After completion, the trainee will most likely receive a territory in Michigan, though the exact location will depend on business needs. Candidates must remain flexible with regard to their mid‑ to long‑term location preferences.

Founded in 1978 and tracing roots back to 1926, Tencarva is a distributor, engineer, and design partner in the process equipment and flow control market. With 36 locations across 16 states, we provide end‑to‑end solutions for over 60,000 customers in the industrial and municipal water/wastewater segments. Our service portfolio includes system analysis and design, application engineering, custom fabrication, automation and controls, equipment repair, and thermal hard coatings.

• Call on personnel at every level of industrial and municipal operations, from technicians and operators to engineers, architects, managers, and GMs, providing process solutions and application advice.
• Call on engineering firms that serve our end‑user customer base, conducting informational training sessions on our products and their applications.
• Review blueprints, plans, PID drawings, and other customer documents to develop and prepare cost estimates or projected increases in production from the client’s use of proposed equipment or services.
• Propose changes in equipment, processes, or use of materials that result in cost reduction or operational improvement.
• Establish long‑term relationships with customers by building trust and confidently applying our products.
• Provide technical services relating to use, operation, and maintenance of equipment.
• Provide technical training to our customers’ employees.
• Attend manufacturer training sessions for products represented.
• Plan and execute sales calls and customer visits proactively.
• Maintain an accurate forecast of business potentials with customers and manufacturers we represent.
• Plan territory strategy and overall business strategy.
• Grow territory by increasing penetration of existing accounts and developing new accounts.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Bachelor’s Degree from a 4‑year college or university; strong preference for Engineering, particularly Mechanical, Industrial, Chemical, etc. (IT and Computer‑related Engineering degrees are not relevant for this role).

• Previous sales and/or service experience.
• Hands‑on mechanical work experience and/or hobbies.
• Co‑op experience in an industrial plant environment, preferably in a reliability engineer role or similar.
• Practical knowledge of pumps and pumping systems.
• Genuine interest in technical sales.
• Technical education in fluid dynamics/thermodynamics.
• Ability to relocate is a plus but not required.

Competitive pay as a trainee. Once assigned a sales territory, compensation opportunities are significantly higher. The benefits package includes:

• Paid Time Off, including 10 holidays.
• Annual incentive.
• Health insurance: medical, dental, vision, disability, and life.
• 401(k) and profit sharing.
• Employee assistance program.

Tencarva Machinery Company, LLC, is an equal opportunity employer. All aspects of employment, including the decision to hire, promote, discipline, or discharge, will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.