Role OverviewChase Corporation and Sheldahl are seeking a highly motivated Senior Sales Engineering Leader to drive strategic growth across the Space, Aerospace, Defense, and Advanced Satellite Communications markets.
This role will work directly with spacecraft engineers, thermal engineers, materials engineers, design engineers, systems architects, program managers, and procurement teams to identify, specify, and commercialize advanced Sheldahl and Chase technologies in mission-critical applications. The successful candidate will combine strong technical credibility with commercial acumen, developing customer relationships early in the design cycle and converting engineering opportunities into long-term production revenue.
The position will focus on expanding relationships with commercial space companies, satellite manufacturers, aerospace OEMs, defense contractors, launch providers, and emerging space technology companies. This individual will leverage Sheldahl's heritage in thermal control materials, flexible circuits, engineered films, and advanced materials while introducing broader Chase technologies that improve mission performance, reliability, weight reduction, thermal management, and system durability.
Key ResponsibilitiesStrategic Account & Market Growth- Develop and execute growth strategies for priority space, aerospace, satellite, and defense accounts, expanding relationships across engineering, program, technical, and commercial stakeholders.
- Identify and develop new customers, applications, and programs that expand Chase and Sheldahl's presence across established and emerging aerospace markets.
- Manage opportunities from early design engagement through qualification, specification, production approval, and commercial conversion.
Technical Sales & Application Development- Lead consultative technical discussions to understand application requirements, environmental conditions, reliability expectations, qualification standards, and customer performance needs.
- Position Chase and Sheldahl technologies across spacecraft thermal management, satellites, launch vehicles, avionics, electronics packaging, flexible circuits, and other high-reliability applications.
- Develop differentiated technical and commercial value propositions based on performance, reliability, weight reduction, durability, manufacturability, and overall system value.
Product Commercialization & Market Intelligence- Translate customer requirements and Voice of Customer insights into product-development priorities, partnering with R&D, Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, and Product Management through prototyping, testing, qualification, and commercialization.
- Monitor market, technology, and competitive trends; provide actionable insights to inform product, pricing, and investment decisions while representing Chase and Sheldahl in strategic customer and industry forums.
Qualifications- Minimum of 5 years of experience in technical sales, applications engineering, business development, aerospace engineering, advanced materials, satellite systems, or a related field.
- Demonstrated success selling technically complex or highly engineered solutions into aerospace, defense, satellite, electronics, or advanced-manufacturing organizations.
- Experience managing long-cycle, qualification-driven opportunities from early technical engagement and specification through production adoption.
- Working knowledge of relevant technologies such as aerospace materials, thermal-management systems, spacecraft or satellite hardware, flexible circuits, electronics packaging, composites, or high-reliability manufacturing.
- Strong consultative selling, relationship management, communication, negotiation, and cross-functional leadership skills, with the ability to translate technical customer requirements into compelling commercial solutions.
- 40-60% travel throughout North America to support customer visits, technical and qualification reviews, strategic account meetings, and industry events.
Education- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Materials Science, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical or Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, or a related technical discipline; advanced technical degree or MBA preferred.
