Job Summary

The Network Sales Engineer (NSE) is a specialized individual contributor within the Sales & Technical Solutions job family. This role serves as the subject matter expert (SME) on EtherWAN products, technologies, and applications across designated target markets. The NSE bridges technical expertise with customer engagement, ensuring stakeholders—both internal and external—are equipped with accurate, relevant, and actionable product knowledge. Operating within a structured accountability framework, the NSE supports pre-sales activities, solution design, and post-sales technical guidance. The role is critical to driving customer value, enabling sales success, and enhancing product adoption through technical leadership and collaboration.

This is a regional role responsible for Northern California, Oregon & Washington.

Responsibilities

Assist internal and external stakeholders by conducting EtherWAN product introduction and communicating EtherWAN's value proposition and applications to prospective customers.
Project manage field engagements alongside business development and sales resources
Consistent and collaborative field level engagements with prospects, partners, and customers
Oodaloop ideation of technology needs from the market into the appropriate stakeholders of the organization
Conduct in-person and web-based training on Networking from beginner to advanced levels. Assist in the creation of training material for both in person and online trainings via the EtherWAN Academy
Conduct network audits and assist customers in their network design and recommend appropriate EtherWAN products.
When necessary, conduct client environment simulation – recreate client networks to determine the feasibility of EtherWAN products in customer environment.
Assist internal and external stakeholders with cross-referencing third-party products to EtherWAN products.
Maintain knowledge of industry trends and customer needs and communicate information to appropriate internal stakeholders.
Respond to customer phone calls and/or emails regarding issues related to EtherWAN products and applications
Independently conduct client follow-ups, issues follow-ups, and if needed, customer meetings.
Attend trade shows and industry events as needed.
Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders in the generation and growth of both new and existing revenue within the assigned territory by providing zero-distance application, partner, and customer support
Work closely with internal and external stakeholders in generating mindshare with new and existing customers, channels, and partners.
Use the company CRM as the primary vehicle to log technical support cases, market and customer application information, prospects/partners/customer engagements; work across EtherWAN departments to ensure full transparency
Research and author application, product, and general technical and industry papers assigned
Perform other work-related duties as assigned

Qualifications

Bachelor's of Science degree in Computer Science or Engineering or equivalent in experience
3 years plus of customer-facing experience
Understanding of differences between IT and OT networking environments
Direct or Channel technical sales experience preferred
Knowledge and understanding of the OSI Network Reference Model, Layer 2 and Layer 3 Switching, Spanning Tree Protocols (STP, RSTP, MSTP), TCP/IP, and Routing Protocols (RIP and OSPF) is required. Knowledge of wireless and cellular technology and applications is a plus.
CCNA certification and/or equivalent experiences
Technical certifications in networking are a plus.
Candidate must be well organized, self-motivated, and capable of seeing projects through to completion.
Elevated level of accountability and planning capabilities communicates with transparency and integrity.
Strong written and verbal communication skills are required.
Must be able to demonstrate professional presentation skills on complex topics to both technical and non-technical audiences, competency as an instructor is desired
Proficient with CRM, Microsoft Visio, & MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
Subject matter expertise in vertical markets applications such as transportation (ITS/Rail and Bus transit), security (physical surveillance), energy, process automation is a plus.
Able to travel 65%

Essential Job Functions

Must be able to travel via airplane for up to 6 hours
Must have a valid driver’s license and be able to travel via automobile for up to six hours at a time
Must be able to travel overnight
Must be able to sit for 4 hours at a time
Must be able to stand for extended periods of time
Must be able to lift a minimum of 50 lbs.
Regular and on-time attendance

Perks & Benefits

Phoenix Contact offers a generous benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision coverage, 401k matching, bonus plan and a generous time off package. There are also a wide variety of additional benefits available including 16 weeks fully paid maternity leave & 10 weeks fully paid paternity leave, auto allowance, life insurance, short & long-term disability, assistance, and more! Base salary: $110,000 - $176,000. Compensation information is made available in good faith. Phoenix Contact USA reserves the right to adjust ranges based on candidate’s experience, location and internal & external equity.

#LI-DZ1

_{Phoenix Contact is committed to the diversity of our employees. We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, veteran status, and family medical or genetic information.}

_{If you need special accommodations to access job openings or to apply for a job, please call 717-944-1300 between the hours of 8 AM and 5 PM, Eastern Standard Time, Monday – Friday or email [email protected].}

_{Notice to Staffing Agencies, Placement Services, and Professional Recruiters:}

_{Phoenix Contact has an internal Staffing Department. Recruiters are hereby specifically directed NOT to contact Phoenix Contact employees directly in an attempt to present candidates. Phoenix Contact will not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than directly from a candidate. Any unsolicited resumes sent to Phoenix Contact, including unsolicited resumes sent to a Phoenix Contact mailing address, fax machine or email address, directly to Phoenix Contact employees, or to Phoenix Contact’s resume database will be considered Phoenix Contact property. Phoenix Contact will NOT pay a fee for any placement resulting from the receipt of an unsolicited resume. Phoenix Contact will consider any candidate for whom a Recruiter has submitted an unsolicited resume to have been referred by the Recruiter free of any charges or fees. Phoenix Contact will not pay a fee to any Recruiter that does not have a signed Phoenix Contact contract in place specific to the position for which the resume was submitted. Recruiting vendor agreements will only be valid if in writing and signed by Phoenix Contact's Head of People & Organization or his or her designee. No other Phoenix Contact employee is authorized to bind Phoenix Contact to any agreement regarding the placement of candidates by Recruiters. By submitting a candidate to Phoenix Contact, recruiters agree to be bound and comply with this policy.}

About the company

Phoenix Contact designs and manufactures components, devices, and systems for electrification, networking, and automation in industrial settings. Its products include terminal blocks, PCB connection tech, relays, connectors, power supplies, PLCs, I/O systems, surge protection, and Industrial Ethernet networking, which connect, distribute, and control power and data. The company operates across three main areas with a global production and distribution network, selling through subsidiaries and distributors. It aims to support a climate-neutral energy system, industrial cybersecurity, and IoT-enabled connectivity to enable efficient, secure, and connected industrial operations and the adoption of renewable energy.

Company Size

5,001-10,000

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

$66.6M

Headquarters

Blomberg, Germany

Founded

2015

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

First-half 2026 revenue grew over 20 percent, signaling sharp demand recovery.
Phoenix Contact added a Chief Sales Officer on May 15, 2026, to sharpen execution.
TÜV certified FL Switch 2000 in December 2025, and product awards followed in 2026.

What critics are saying

Phoenix Contact 2030 Transformation Program began in 2025 and stays disruptive through 2026.
Germany and Europe remain subdued, while protectionism and tariffs complicate sourcing and pricing.
E-mobility consolidation in Rzeszów and Mexico exposes the business to EV demand swings.

What makes Phoenix Contact unique

Phoenix Contact sells connectivity, power, and automation across one industrial stack.
PLCnext Technology and open ecosystems anchor its software-defined industrial automation strategy.
The all-electric society thesis ties its products to electrification and climate-neutral infrastructure.

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Benefits

Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
401(k) Company Match
Paid Vacation
Parental Leave
Life Insurance
Disability Insurance
Performance Bonus

Company News

PR Newswire

Oct 12th, 2026

Phoenix Contact to showcase industrial AI, PLCnext and cybersecurity at SPS 2026 in Nuremberg

Phoenix Contact will showcase technologies for digital industry at SPS 2026 in Nuremberg, Germany, from November 24 to November 26, 2026. The company's booth is in Hall 9, Booth 310. The focus is on industrial AI, PLCnext Technology, cybersecurity, and field and control cabinet automation. A conveyor belt application, automated with the company's full control cabinet and field product range, will fill water bottles as they move on workpiece carriers. New field products include power supplies, device protection, and motor starters with IO-Link interfaces. Virtual PLCnext Control lets operators separate automation functions from hardware, and security routers protect machines in line with the CRA and the Machinery Regulation. Visitors can join guided tours and watch a stage programme that includes a live hacking demonstration.

Phoenix Contact

Sep 24th, 2026

New Push-X conductor connections for a higher connection density and easy wiring.

New Push-X conductor connections for a higher connection density and easy wiring. 2026-09-24 Phoenix Contact is extending its portfolio of device connections featuring Push-X technology to include the new DXPC 1,5 double-level PCB connector and the XPT 1,5 and XPT 2,5 PCB terminal blocks. With these new products, the company is addressing the growing demands of modern electronics on miniaturization, a high connection density, and efficient wiring processes. Push-X technology enables the tool-free, direct connection of different types of conductors with minimum effort. It also ensures reliable connections with visual and audible feedback. The new DXPC 1,5 PCB connector combines the high connection density of the established DFMC 1,5 family with the advantages of Push-X technology. With a pitch of just 3.5 mm, versions with up to 40 contacts are possible. This allows more functions and connectors to be integrated into the same PCB area without requiring additional space. In addition, they also feature the same compatibility with existing COMBICON DMC 1,5 headers. With the new XPT 1,5 and XPT 2,5 PCB terminal blocks, Push-X technology is now available for directly soldered PCB connections for the first time. By aligning with existing SPT series, existing designs can be easily adapted to the new connection technology. Developers benefit from a consistent, time-saving, and user-friendly wiring solution for a variety of device designs.

Phoenix Contact

Sep 15th, 2026

SPS 2026: Phoenix Contact to showcase smart automation solutions for the industry of the future.

SPS 2026: Phoenix Contact to showcase smart automation solutions for the industry of the future. 2026-09-15 Phoenix Contact will be showcasing the latest technologies for a digital and future-viable industry at SPS 2026, which will take place from November 24 to November 26, 2026, in Nuremberg, Germany. The focus in Hall 9, Booth 310, will be on developments in the areas of industrial AI, PLCnext Technology, cybersecurity, and field and control cabinet automation. The central element of the trade show booth will be a conveyor belt application. Its role is to transport water bottles on workpiece carriers so that the bottles can be filled immediately with water. The conveyor belt is automated using Phoenix Contact's entire product portfolio for control cabinet and field installations. For the field level in particular, there are numerous new products, including power supplies, device protection, and motor starters with IO-Link interfaces. The technology section of the trade show booth will focus on the open PLCnext Technology automation platform. Virtual PLCnext Control is the ideal software-based solution for any operators wanting to decouple automation functions from the hardware. It can run on existing industrial PCs, edge devices, and server infrastructure. Security routers provide comprehensive protection for machines and systems in accordance with the CRA and the Machinery Regulation. In addition, all products will be made available in a CRA-ready format by the deadline. Industrial AI is integrated throughout the entire value chain - from planning and commissioning using the PLCnext Engineer engineering tool, through operation with the MLnext software package, and maintenance with diagnostic capabilities via the MCP interface. Furthermore, Phoenix Contact is the ideal partner for control cabinet building, taking a holistic approach to the entire process and providing comprehensive support. From engineering through to final assembly, its experts provide support throughout the entire process. These solutions connect engineering, procurement, assembly, marking, wire preparation, and wiring to form a single, end-to-end process. This results in streamlined processes, optimized interfaces, and greater efficiency throughout the value chain. Alongside the technologies on display, Phoenix Contact will be providing guided tours of its booth at SPS 2026. Participants will gain in-depth insights into selected technologies, practical applications, and future concepts. An informative stage program will highlight a range of subjects including AI, virtualization, cybersecurity (featuring a live hacking demonstration), Power Reliability, and Push-X technology. And, naturally, the experts at Phoenix Contact are looking forward to one-on-one discussions regarding the current challenges and opportunities facing the industry of tomorrow.

Phoenix Contact

Sep 15th, 2026

Virtual PLCnext Control brings software-defined automation to industrial applications.

Virtual PLCnext Control brings software-defined automation to industrial applications. 2026-09-15 With Virtual PLCnext Control, Phoenix Contact is extending its portfolio to include a software-based control solution that decouples automation functions from dedicated hardware. The solution makes it possible to run control applications flexibly on industrial PCs, edge devices, and server infrastructures, thereby creating new opportunities for the convergence of IT and OT. Based on the open PLCnext Technology Ecosystem, Virtual PLCnext Control combines industrial real-time capabilities with the advantages of modern IT architectures. Users can run control applications independently of the hardware, scale them flexibly, and continue to use existing engineering workflows. The IEC 61131-3 programming languages are supported, as are high-level languages such as C++ and C#. In addition, established communication standards such as Profinet, OPC UA, Modbus/TCP, MQTT, and REST API are available. With the container-based architecture, applications can be easily deployed, updated, and adapted to new requirements. Virtual PLCnext Control can be integrated directly into devices, used for edge computing tasks close to the process, and operated centrally in data centers. Multiple virtual control instances can be run in parallel on a shared infrastructure. In addition, the solution meets the requirements on cybersecurity, data consistency, and real-time processing. As part of the PLCnext Technology Ecosystem, users benefit from an open platform that provides access to the PLCnext Community and the PLCnext Store, as well as to a broad network of partners. "With Virtual PLCnext Control, we are enabling our customers to take the next step toward software-defined automation. Control applications are becoming more flexible, scalable, and less dependent on specific hardware", says Lena Kuhlmann, Sales Product Manager Automation at Phoenix Contact.

Industry Valley

Aug 28th, 2026

Revolutionizing power distribution in industrial automation: new field power supplies from PULS.

Revolutionizing power distribution in industrial automation: new field power supplies from PULS. August 28, 2026. PULS is expanding its hardware portfolio to support direct sensor and actuator integration within industrial automation architectures. The company has launched new 100-watt and 200-watt field-mounted power supplies, designed for manufacturing environments outside traditional control cabinets. Decentralized power distribution & robust protection. Joining the existing FIEPOS series, these single-phase units enable system engineers to distribute continuous DC power directly to sensors and actuators at the field level. With IP65 and IP67 protection ratings, these modules withstand dust and high-pressure water in harsh production environments. Installing power supplies physically closer to the load eliminates the need for long cabling, reducing space requirements for central electrical cabinets. This decentralized architectural approach simplifies the integration of distributed I/O devices and smaller control ecosystems, directly supporting smart manufacturing and material handling operations. Technical specifications & IO-Link diagnostics. This hardware portfolio offers direct 24-volt DC outputs, including configurations compliant with National Electrical Code (NEC) Class 2 standards, with dual-output variations. Operating with up to 95.1% energy conversion efficiency, these power units minimize thermal dissipation, offering an estimated 200,000 hours of operational life under industrial mechanical stress. Furthermore, specific configurations feature integrated IO-Link communication interfaces. This standard industrial protocol allows programmable logic controllers (PLCs) to receive diagnostic data and monitor remote hardware health, forming a foundation for predictive maintenance frameworks. Operational impact. Martin Kram, Director of Sales at PULS, stated, "As manufacturers worldwide continue to embrace decentralized automation concepts, the need for robust and compact field power solutions is growing." Placing power architecture directly in the field allows machine builders to accelerate system commissioning processes and scale conveyor or warehouse automation systems in a modular fashion. Additional insights. In the decentralized industrial automation market, field-mounted power supplies are evaluated based on criteria such as ingress protection, thermal derating profiles, and communication protocol integration. Competitors like Siemens' SITOP and Phoenix Contact's TRIO IP67 series offer similar decentralized power architectures. A critical benchmark for these field devices is the physical footprint-to-watt ratio and the inclusion of IO-Link diagnostics. IO-Link integration provides a measurable operational advantage by enabling automated parameterization and remote voltage reset capabilities over existing digital supply chain and fieldbus infrastructure. This significantly reduces the Mean Time To Repair (MTTR) compared to unmanaged decentralized power units.

Phoenix Contact

Network Sales Engineer

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About the company

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