Location: Hodgenville, KY *This position involves frequent business travel across the United States.
Travel: Nationwide travel across the U.S. (primarily supporting Japanese manufacturers and suppliers)
About the Role
We are seeking an experienced Japanese & English bilingual Sales Engineer to support our clients.
This role is ideal for engineers who want to apply the Japanese approach to quality, safety, usability, and maintainability in U.S. manufacturing environments, working side by side with customers to solve real production challenges.
Key Responsibilities
Visit customer facilities to assess production processes, identify issues, and propose improvements
Develop equipment and automation specifications, RFQs, and cost proposals
Support implementation of manufacturing equipment such as robotics, conveyance systems, vision inspection, press-fit, fastening, leak testing, dispensing, and assembly systems
Coordinate with equipment manufacturers, system integrators (SIers), and customer teams across the U.S., Japan, and Mexico
Support equipment installation, commissioning, troubleshooting, and production ramp‑up
Provide technical support for sales activities, including proposals, cost reviews, and QCD management
Travel throughout the U.S. to support Japanese manufacturers and suppliers
Required Qualifications
Japanese language proficiency
Being able to travel frequently across the United States.
10+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering, production engineering, equipment engineering, or field engineering
Experience in production/process development, manufacturing development, or quality engineering
Experience in at least one of the following:
Process design / line layout
Equipment or automation system specification, implementation, start‑up, or improvement
Ability to read drawings, specifications, and RFQs and identify risks from a practical, shopfloor perspective
Ability to design equipment with consideration for safety, quality, maintainability, and production stability
Experience coordinating with multiple stakeholders (customers, equipment vendors, SIers)
Knowledge of robotics, PLCs, vision systems, material handling, or safety equipment
