Technical Business Development Manager | Industrial Automation & Controls

Technical Business Development Manager | Industrial Automation & Controls
Position Type: Hybrid

ACE Controls, founded in 2005 and headquartered in Houston, designs, fabricates, and integrates industrial electrical control systems for customers in the water, wastewater, food & beverage, and OEM process equipment industries. For more than 20 years, we have built our reputation on technical expertise, a commitment to our customers, and the delivery of reliable automation solutions.

We are looking for a Technical Business Development Manager | Industrial Automation & Controls to drive profitable growth by developing new business opportunities across existing and emerging markets. This role focuses on identifying, qualifying, and advancing opportunities for industrial automation, systems integration, control panels, PLCs, SCADA, electrical services, and related technical solutions.

If you enjoy building relationships, uncovering opportunities, and connecting customers with practical automation solutions, we would like to hear from you.

What You Will Do
Business Development & Market Growth

• Develop and execute a strategic business development plan aligned with company growth objectives.
• Identify and pursue qualified opportunities in new industries and within ACE Controls' existing markets.
• Prospect through direct outreach, referrals, networking, industry events, trade associations, and strategic partnerships.
• Build and maintain a sustainable pipeline of opportunities with accurate activity, opportunity, and forecast information.
• Represent ACE Controls during customer meetings, facility visits, presentations, and industry events.

Customer & Partner Relationships

• Build and maintain long-term relationships with end users, contractors, engineers, consultants, manufacturers, and other industry partners.
• Engage customer decision-makers to understand operational challenges, project requirements, schedules, and purchasing needs.
• Position ACE Controls as a trusted systems integration and industrial automation partner.
• Maintain consistent follow-up throughout the business development process and support strong customer relationships after project award.

Opportunity Development & Internal Coordination

• Qualify opportunities based on strategic fit, technical capability, revenue potential, profitability, schedule, and risk.
• Collaborate with estimating, engineering, project management, production, and operations teams to develop scopes, budgets, proposals, and solution strategies.
• Support proposal presentations, commercial discussions, and negotiations within approved company parameters.
• Provide complete and accurate opportunity information to support a smooth transition after award.
• Monitor market trends, competitor activity, customer needs, and emerging automation technologies and communicate relevant findings to leadership.

Location & Territory
This position requires candidates to currently reside within the Houston, Austin, San Antonio, or Dallas corridor to support regular travel to customers, prospects, and ACE Controls' Houston office.

Travel Requirements

• Regular travel throughout Texas for customer meetings, prospect visits, networking events, and business development activities.

Hybrid Schedule

• Candidates should expect to work from the Houston office 2-4 days per month

What We Are Looking For

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, industrial technology, or a related field preferred. Relevant experience may be considered in place of a degree.
• 5+ years of experience in business development, technical sales, industrial automation, electrical controls, systems integration, or a related field preferred.
• Demonstrated success developing new customer relationships and advancing technical service opportunities.
• Working knowledge of PLCs, HMIs, SCADA, industrial networking, control panels, instrumentation, electrical systems, or process automation.
• Ability to communicate technical concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Strong presentation, relationship-building, organizational, negotiation, and follow-through skills.
• Ability to travel throughout Texas and to customer or project locations as business needs require.
• Valid driver's license and acceptable driving record.

Why Join ACE Controls?
Our recent growth has created an exciting opportunity for a Technical Business Development Manager to play a key role in our future success. At ACE Controls, your contributions are recognized, your ideas are valued, and you'll work alongside a team committed to collaboration, accountability, and delivering results.


Compensation, Incentives & Benefits
ACE Controls offers a competitive compensation package designed to reward individual contributions and support success. Compensation is governed by the applicable ACE Controls compensation plan and may include:

• Quarterly bookings bonus and annual invoiced gross profit bonus opportunities
• $650 per month car allowance
• Company-provided cell phone

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• ACE Controls pays 90% of employee health insurance premiums
• Health Savings Account (HSA) with company contributions
• 401(k) with company match up to 4% and immediate vesting
• Paid time off & Company-paid holidays

Additional Information

• Full-time, direct-hire position
• No C2C or 1099 arrangements
• No third-party recruiting agencies
• Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States. ACE Controls does not provide H-1B sponsorship or H-1B transfer support.

ACE Controls is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering an inclusive and respectful workplace.