Sales Account Executive III (Senior)

Company Description

Design For Making specializes in custom automation solutions that help manufacturers improve production efficiency, reliability, and quality. Our projects may include robotics, custom machinery, material handling, assembly systems, pick-and-place applications, packaging, palletizing, machine tending, and other industrial automation solutions.

Because every project is different, our team works closely across design, machining, fabrication, assembly, controls, testing, and installation to turn ideas into working equipment.

Role Description

Design For Making is seeking a Sales Account Executive III (Senior). This role finds, develops, and closes new business for DFM's custom automation and robotic systems, working with engineering and project delivery to turn customer production problems into well-scoped, profitable projects.

At this level, the Sales Account Executive III senior seller who wins DFM's larger and more complex automation and robotics projects. Works independently; sets pricing within margin guidelines and escalates contract and risk terms.

Key Responsibilities

• Sell complex, multi-machine, and robotic-cell projects to new and key accounts.
• Lead solution development with engineering, including concept layouts, ROI, and risk assumptions.
• Develop key accounts and repeat business; open new industries and regions.
• Mentor Account Executives I and II and improve proposal templates.
• Prospect and qualify manufacturers who need automation, robotics, custom machinery, or material-handling solutions.
• Visit customer plants to understand their process, production goals, pain points, and constraints.
• Work with engineering to scope solutions, estimate effort, and prepare quotes and proposals.
• Track leads, opportunities, quotes, and follow-up in the CRM and keep the pipeline current.
• Hand off sold projects cleanly to project delivery with documented scope, assumptions, and customer expectations.
• Represent DFM at trade shows (such as Pack Expo and Automate), industry events, and customer meetings.
• Travel regularly to customer sites and events.

Required Qualifications

• 5–8 years of industrial automation, robotics, machine building, or capital equipment sales experience.
• Strong technical understanding of robotics, controls, and custom machinery, and how projects are scoped and delivered.
• Track record of closing six-figure capital projects.
• Experience negotiating contracts and payment terms.
• Willingness to work full-time in person in Idaho Falls, Idaho, and travel to customer sites.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience selling industrial automation, robotics, machine building, or capital equipment.
• Familiarity with robots (FANUC, ABB, Yaskawa, Universal Robots or similar), PLCs, conveyors, vision, and end-of-arm tooling.
• Experience in manufacturing, maintenance, engineering, or field service before moving into sales.
• Experience with a CRM (Odoo, HubSpot, Salesforce or similar).
• Mechanical, electrical, or manufacturing technical degree or certificate.

What We Are Looking For

We are looking for a senior automation seller trusted by customers and engineers alike to sell the right project at the right price.

What Success Looks Like

A successful Sales Account Executive III wins larger, profitable projects with clear scope, and key accounts keep coming back.

Promotion to Sales Account Executive IV (Sales Lead): Leads the sales function, sets forecasts and targets, and develops other sellers.

Benefits

• Full-time position.
• 4/10 schedule.
• Sell custom automation and robotic systems built in-house by DFM's engineering and shop teams.
• Clear career path within DFM's Sales ladder (next level: Sales Account Executive IV (Sales Lead)).
• Opportunity to grow with a small but expanding automation company.