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Field Sales Engineer

Illinois Tool Works · IL · Remote available · $84,000–$102,000 a year · Full time

Posted Sep 21, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a capital equipment sale you closed. How long did it take and who was involved in the decision?

What they are checking: Whether they know how to sell through a multi-person buying process with a long cycle.

Tell me about a time you lost a deal. What did you learn?

What they are checking: Whether they reflect honestly on losses and change their approach.

What draws you to selling technical equipment rather than other products?

What they are checking: Whether they have genuine interest in the technology, which helps them earn credibility with scientists.

What would you do

This territory covers Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan and Indiana. How would you plan your first 90 days across that area?

What they are checking: Whether they can prioritize a large territory using account data instead of trying to visit everyone equally.

A lab manager loves your equipment but purchasing wants the cheaper competitor. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they can build a value case on results and total cost for buyers who were not in the demo.

How do you grow consumables sales after you have placed equipment in a lab?

What they are checking: Whether they see the installed base as an ongoing relationship that drives recurring revenue.

How do you work with service and applications teams to keep customers happy after the sale?

What they are checking: Whether they stay involved after the order so problems do not cost them the next sale.

About the work

Explain how sample preparation for metallography works, from sectioning to polishing to hardness testing.

What they are checking: Whether they understand Buehler's process well enough to talk credibly with lab technicians and engineers.

How would you run a product demonstration in a customer's lab so it addresses their actual problem?

What they are checking: Whether they demo around the customer's samples and pain points, not a generic feature tour.

How do you manage your pipeline and forecast so your manager can trust your numbers?

What they are checking: Whether they forecast honestly and keep their CRM accurate rather than padding the pipeline.

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The full job description

As published by Illinois Tool Works.

Job Description: Buehler, a division of Illinois Tool Works, is a leading manufacturer of scientific equipment and supplies for use in material analysis. Over the past 90 years, Buehler has established sales, manufacturing and laboratory services located throughout North America, Europe and Asia. Comprised of world-class products and brands, such as Wilson Hardness, Buehler continues a long history of providing market-leading technology to support our customers in their sample preparation and material analysis applications. Buehler’s parent company, ITW, is a Fortune 200 global diversified industrial manufacturer of value-added consumables and specialty equipment with related service businesses. The Company focuses on profitable growth with strong returns across worldwide platforms and businesses. The businesses serve local customers and markets around the globe, with a significant presence in developed as well as emerging markets. If you get excited about the challenge of building strong customer relationships, driving results, and embracing new opportunities, this role is for you! We are seeking a Field Sales Engineer who is passionate about cutting-edge technical equipment and has the expertise to fuel rapid growth in our Illinois territory (Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, Indiana). You will assume full responsibility for driving sales, managing key customer relationships and reaching assigned sales goals. • Grow assigned territory by developing existing business for Buehler equipment and consumables through on-site visits with existing QC customers and leads, Inside Sales, Marketing and Management. Focus should be in key high-volume, quality critical industries including: automotive, aerospace, heat treat, electronics, etc. in the quality control sector. Sales Engineers are to meet or exceed assigned territory sales goal • Grow existing consumable business with chosen high volume, quality control accounts through effective Account Management and teaming up with Business Development Specialist for target organic growth. • Maintain daily face-to-face contact with QC customers within assigned territory with a target and goal of 5 high-quality face to face meetings with decision-makers per week • Provides forecast data to sales management • Attends weekly meetings with the Sales Manager either via telephone or in-person and keep manager informed of territory issues, order issues and other business challenges related to sales • Manages sales pipeline, tracks customer contacts, and account details using the company’s CRM system (Dynamics 365) • Identifies and builds relationships with key decision-makers through friendly, engaging communication • Identifies and analyzes customer needs and develops commercial arguments • Sales Engineers are required to set up, install and be knowledgeable enough to instruct customer on basic operations and functions on most Buehler equipment • Maintains and controls company assets assigned (i.e. company vehicle, demo equipment, laptop/computer, company cell phone, etc.) Qualifications • Bachelor’s degree preferable in an Engineering or Science discipline (Material Science a plus) • Minimum of 5 years of outside sales experience selling technical equipment in a laboratory or production setting; able to manage a multistate territory and sell technical products preferably to laboratory or testing environments with a sales territory greater than 4MM • Knowledge of metallurgical sample preparation equipment, consumables, and applications preferred. • Experience with various selling techniques, customer service skills • Must be computer literate and be able to use Microsoft Office Suite • Must have a clean driving record • Job does require some lifting (5-25lbs) • Willing to travel overnight up to 70% • Must live near or within Chicago, IL. Additional Information: • 7.5% 401K match • 4 weeks of paid time off • 10 paid company holidays • Recognition program • Competitive health insurance Compensation Information: The salary for this position is $84,000 - $102,000 (includes base salary + potential earnings from sales incentive program). Pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment. ITW is an equal opportunity employer. We value our colleagues’ unique perspectives, experiences and ideas and create workplaces where everyone can develop their careers and perform to their full potential. As an equal employment opportunity employer, ITW is committed to equal employment opportunity and fair treatment for employees, beginning with the hiring process and continuing through all aspects of the employment relationship. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected Veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.

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