Robotics Territory Sales Executive | $110K-$135K | Chicago

Want to break into robotics without needing years of robotics experience?

If you want to know about the requirements for this role, read on for all the relevant information.
Our client is an established, privately held company expanding its collaborative robotics business and looking for a strong hunter to develop the Chicago market. You’ll sell $40K-$50K collaborative robots, or cobots, that help manufacturers automate jobs that are repetitive, difficult to staff, or dangerous.
This is not selling massive, multimillion-dollar automation systems with 12-18 month sales cycles. These are practical automation solutions with a clear ROI, an average sales cycle of approximately two months, and applications across welding, palletizing, packing, and machine tending.
Why this role stands out:
$80K-$90K base salary$135K expected total compensation, uncapped. Year 2+, OTE $160KGreenfield territory with significant new-business opportunityOpportunity to break into the growing robotics and automation industryApproximately 2-month sales cycle, versus much longer for competitorsSell $40K-$50K automation solutions rather than massive capital projects. Our competitors sell $250K solutions.Established company founded 15 years agoTechnical robotics expertise and support internally15-20% travel1-2 days per week in the office, with the remainder spent in the field or working remotelyBlue Cross Blue Shield health insurance and full benefits
The Opportunity
Our client helps manufacturers and logistics operations solve problems across staffing, warehousing, transportation, and automation. The company is now expanding its collaborative robotics business.
You’ll be responsible for developing new manufacturing customers throughout the Chicago market. This is a pure hunting role for someone who enjoys prospecting, getting into manufacturing facilities, uncovering operational problems, and building business from the ground up. There is some travel to remote clients, about 15%.
You do not need to be a robotics engineer. The company has technical expertise internally to support the more complex engineering side of the sale. Your job is to find the opportunity, understand the business problem, communicate the ROI, and move the sale forward.
What You’ll Sell
Collaborative robots designed to automate manufacturing applications including:
WeldingPalletizingPackingMachine tendingOther repetitive or difficult-to-staff production processes
These cobots typically cost approximately $40K-$50K, making automation accessible to mid-market manufacturers that may not be candidates for traditional $250K-$500K industrial automation systems.
The value proposition is straightforward: help manufacturers reduce labor challenges, increase productivity, improve safety, and automate work that is difficult to staff consistently.
Who You’ll Sell To
The target market is primarily mid-sized manufacturers with approximately $25M-$350M in revenue.
You’ll work with decision-makers involved in:
Plant operationsManufacturingEngineeringAutomationContinuous improvementProductionOperations leadership
The sales process includes prospecting, facility visits, understanding the manufacturing process, identifying applications for automation, demonstrating the business case and ROI, and bringing technical experts into the process when needed.
What We’re Looking For
We care more about your sales background and ability to hunt than whether you have sold robots before.
Strong backgrounds could include:
Industrial equipmentMaterial handling equipmentWelding equipmentPackaging or palletizing equipmentFactory automationManufacturing equipmentEngineering servicesMachine vision, sensors, or controlsWarehouse technologyOther technical products sold into manufacturers
The strongest candidate will be someone who:
Is a true new-business hunterHas experience cold prospecting and creating their own pipelineIs comfortable selling in the fieldUnderstands manufacturing environmentsCan walk a plant floor and uncover problemsCan sell ROI rather than compete solely on priceIs comfortable with a technical sale without needing to be the engineerIs persistent and comfortable opening doors in a greenfield territoryCan independently manage a territory and sales process
Technical sales experience is a plus, but it is not required. xzbcwsv
If you’ve been successful selling technical equipment or services into manufacturers and want to move into robotics, this is an opportunity to do it without starting over.