Home Jobs Application Engineering Manager – Pre Sales
Back to Jobs

Application Engineering Manager – Pre Sales - Job Opportunity at Apera AI Inc

Remote, Canada
Full-time
Senior
Posted: June 27, 2025
Remote
CAD 140,000-190,000 per year

Benefits

Meaningful stock option package as part of employee ownership structure providing direct financial upside in company growth
Competitive health benefits package standard for Canadian tech companies
Flexible vacation policy supporting work-life balance
Annual learning budget with dedicated innovation time for continuous professional development
Personalized development plans with structured career advancement opportunities

Key Responsibilities

Lead technical validation and proof-of-concept development for enterprise customers including Ford, Magna, and Whirlpool, directly impacting multi-million dollar revenue opportunities through successful feasibility studies and system demonstrations
Drive strategic account expansion through identification and development of additional robotic vision applications within existing customer base, supporting the company's land-and-expand growth strategy
Establish and maintain critical feedback loop between field operations and R&D teams, ensuring product development aligns with market demands and customer technical requirements
Build scalable technical enablement framework including demo scripts, training documentation, and partner onboarding materials that accelerate sales cycles and improve conversion rates
Manage high-visibility trade show demonstration projects that showcase company capabilities to industry decision-makers and generate qualified leads
Develop strategic partnerships with system integrators through technical training programs and enablement tools, expanding market reach and implementation capacity
Lead cross-functional initiatives to integrate AI and automation tools into feasibility processes, improving study accuracy and reducing time-to-demo for critical sales opportunities

Requirements

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering

Experience

Minimum of five (5) years of demonstrated application solutions sales experience with OEM and End User customers in a leadership role

Required Skills

Robots (collaborative and fixed) Machine Vision Motion Control (Servos, Drives, Controllers and Motors) PLC/HMI (hardware, software and interfaces) Components (Sensors, Relays and Switches) Self-aware and capable to understand impacts of decisions within the organization Can project technical trends and willingness to make changes as necessary Ability to inspire and coach a diverse Engineering team Strong believer, understanding and advocate of the consultative solution selling process Strong leader, able to drive innovation and influence a team while aligning and executing the sales strategy
Advertisement
Ad Space

Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

Industrial automation and robotics market is experiencing unprecedented growth driven by labor shortages, supply chain resilience needs, and Industry 4.0 digital transformation initiatives. The global industrial robotics market is projected to reach $35 billion by 2026, with vision-guided robotics representing one of the fastest-growing segments due to increasing demand for flexible manufacturing solutions. AI-powered machine vision technology is becoming critical for manufacturers seeking to automate complex tasks previously requiring human dexterity and decision-making. The convergence of advanced AI algorithms with robotic systems is enabling automation of applications like bin picking, sorting, and assembly that were traditionally challenging for industrial robots. Enterprise manufacturing companies are increasingly adopting account-based marketing strategies and land-and-expand sales models, requiring technical sales professionals who can identify multiple use cases within single customer organizations and build long-term strategic relationships with engineering teams.

Salary Evaluation

The offered salary range of CAD 140,000-190,000 is highly competitive for the Canadian market and aligns well with senior technical sales roles in AI/robotics. This compensation reflects the specialized nature of vision-guided robotics expertise and the strong demand for professionals who can bridge technical engineering and enterprise sales.

Role Significance

Typically works closely with 3-5 person sales team, collaborates with 8-12 person engineering organization, and interfaces with multiple customer technical teams simultaneously. May eventually lead a team of 2-3 application engineers as the company scales.
This is a senior individual contributor role with significant strategic impact, requiring deep technical expertise combined with customer-facing responsibilities. The position involves leading complex technical validations and building scalable processes that directly influence company revenue growth and market expansion.

Key Projects

Multi-million dollar enterprise customer feasibility studies and proof-of-concept implementations Development of standardized technical enablement frameworks and partner training programs Strategic trade show demonstrations and customer showcase events Cross-functional product development initiatives based on field feedback and market requirements

Success Factors

Deep technical expertise across multiple engineering disciplines (mechanical, electrical, software) combined with strong business acumen and customer relationship management skills Ability to translate complex technical concepts into business value propositions for C-level manufacturing executives while maintaining credibility with engineering teams Strong project management capabilities to handle multiple concurrent customer studies and internal initiatives while meeting aggressive timelines Strategic thinking to identify expansion opportunities within enterprise accounts and contribute to product roadmap decisions Excellent communication skills for creating technical documentation, training materials, and presenting to diverse audiences from shop floor technicians to executive decision-makers

Market Demand

Very High - The intersection of AI, robotics, and industrial automation creates exceptional demand for professionals with this specific skill combination, particularly those with proven enterprise sales experience in manufacturing environments.

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Machine vision and robotics expertise is absolutely essential as this technology stack forms the core of the company's value proposition and customer solutions. Deep understanding of these systems enables credible technical discussions with customer engineers and effective troubleshooting of complex applications. Enterprise B2B sales experience in manufacturing environments is crucial for understanding customer decision-making processes, navigating complex organizational structures, and building the long-term relationships necessary for successful account expansion strategies. Cross-functional technical knowledge spanning mechanical, electrical, and software engineering enables effective communication with diverse customer teams and comprehensive solution development that addresses all aspects of robotic system integration.

Beneficial Skills

AI and machine learning knowledge will become increasingly valuable as the industry evolves toward more sophisticated autonomous systems and predictive capabilities Project management and process optimization skills will be critical for scaling operations and building repeatable frameworks as the company grows System integration experience with major industrial platforms and protocols will differentiate candidates and enable faster customer implementations

Unique Aspects

Opportunity to work with cutting-edge 4D vision technology that represents a significant advancement over traditional 2D machine vision systems
Direct interaction with Fortune 500 manufacturing customers and ability to influence product development for emerging AI/robotics market
Combination of hands-on technical work with strategic business development in high-growth startup environment
Significant equity upside potential given company's growth trajectory and market position in rapidly expanding industrial AI sector

Career Growth

Progression to director-level roles typically occurs within 3-5 years given the high-growth nature of the AI/robotics industry and increasing demand for experienced technical sales leaders.

Potential Next Roles

VP of Sales Engineering or Technical Sales for larger automation companies Chief Technology Officer or VP of Engineering for robotics startups Director of Business Development for industrial AI companies Senior leadership roles at major system integrators or manufacturing technology vendors

Company Overview

Apera AI Inc

Apera AI represents a well-funded, rapidly growing startup in the high-potential industrial AI space with significant competitive advantages in 4D vision technology. The company has achieved notable market validation with over 100 enterprise customers including major automotive and manufacturing brands, positioning it as an emerging leader in vision-guided robotics.

Strong position as an innovative challenger in the industrial automation space, with proven technology and growing customer base. The company's recognition as a 2024 BCTIA Growth Award winner and successful VC funding indicate strong market traction and growth trajectory.
Vancouver location provides access to strong tech talent pool and proximity to both Asian manufacturing markets and North American automotive industry. Remote work option expands talent acquisition capabilities while maintaining connection to vibrant Canadian AI/robotics ecosystem.
Startup environment emphasizing innovation, rapid growth, and entrepreneurial thinking with strong technical focus. Culture appears to value both individual impact and collaborative problem-solving, typical of successful B2B technology companies serving enterprise customers.
Advertisement
Ad Space
Apply Now

Data Sources & Analysis Information

Job Listings Data

The job listings displayed on this platform are sourced through BrightData's comprehensive API, ensuring up-to-date and accurate job market information.

Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Our advanced AI system analyzes each job listing to provide valuable insights including:

  • Industry trends and market dynamics
  • Salary estimates and market demand analysis
  • Role significance and career growth potential
  • Critical success factors and key skills
  • Unique aspects of each position

This integration of reliable job data with AI-powered analysis helps provide you with comprehensive insights for making informed career decisions.