High School

Sales engineers have backgrounds in science, math, computers, and other technical areas. A solid foundation for this type of work includes classes in mathematics, 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 computer hardware engineering.

Certification is voluntary and can enhance skills and improve the chances of employment for sales engineers. Professional associations offer certification to those who meet the work experience requirements and pass the certification exam. For instance, the Manufacturers' Representatives Educational Research Foundation offers certification programs for Certified Sales Professional (CSP) and Certified Professional Manufacturers Representative (CPMR).

Sales engineers must have academic backgrounds in the areas in which they specialize. They must also have sales experience and training before they can work independently as sales engineers. In training, they learn sales techniques and may partner with senior-level sales engineers who explain the business practices of their employer, the types of customers they have, and the company's culture. Sales engineers must have strong scientific and technological knowledge to understand the products and services that they sell. They must also have solid interpersonal skills and be able to clearly communicate the benefits of the products to customers. They should be confident, outgoing, and able to make persuasive presentations. Strong problem-solving skills are also needed, particularly when listening to customers' concerns and offering suggestions for customizing products that address these concerns. The desire to continually learn is essential in this field, since technology is constantly changing and sales engineers must keep up to date with the latest innovations in their industry. Retraining is common in the sales engineer profession.