Strategic Account Executive Jobs in Palo Alto, CA

Seeking a Business Development Sales Engineer – Vacuum Electronics & RF Power Systems

For over 70 years, Microwave Power Products (MPP) has powered mission-critical innovation at the frontlines of aerospace, defense, and advanced medical technology. Our high-performance manufacturing and engineering teams deliver vacuum electronics and RF power solutions where reliability, precision, and compliance are non-negotiable—from radar systems and particle accelerators to advanced research and industrial applications.

As part of the TransDigm (TDG) family, MPP offers the agility of a focused, technically deep site backed by the scale and discipline of a global aerospace leader. We're seeking a Sales Engineer who thrives at the intersection of technical rigor, customer trust, and long-term program growth. This role is based on-site at MPP's Palo Alto facility, enabling close collaboration with engineering, manufacturing, and leadership teams in a highly technical environment.

Why this role matters
This is not a transactional sales role. As a Sales Engineer at MPP, you will influence platform decisions, shape long-term customer programs, and directly impact how mission-critical RF and vacuum electronic systems are designed, produced, and sustained. You'll be trusted with technically complex programs, high-visibility customers, and long-cycle opportunities where credibility, judgment, and follow-through matter more than volume.

YOUR DAY-TO-DAY (POSITION SUMMARY)

We are seeking a Sales Engineer to own and grow a defined portfolio of OEM, defense, and high-reliability customers across North America with select international accounts. This role is responsible for driving new program capture, expanding existing customer relationships, and serving as the technical-commercial lead on complex, spec-driven opportunities.

This is a hands-on, customer-facing role for someone who has partnered closely with engineering teams, understands long-cycle sales motions, and can translate customer requirements into viable technical and commercial solutions. You will act as the bridge between customers and MPP's engineering and manufacturing teams, ensuring alignment from early engagement through production and sustainment.

This is a road-warrior role requiring approximately 60%+ travel. This role requires a strong on-site presence to support technical alignment, program execution, and real-time collaboration with cross-functional teams. This role offers exposure to senior customer stakeholders, internal technical leadership, and TDG best practices—making it an excellent platform for continued growth into senior sales leadership, strategic account management, or broader commercial roles over time.

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES

• Own and execute a sales strategy for assigned customers and programs, with accountability for bookings, revenue growth, and new program capture
• Serve as the primary technical-commercial lead for customer programs, from requirements definition and proposal through qualification, production, and sustainment
• Engage directly with customer engineering, supply chain, and program teams to understand specifications, constraints, and long-term needs
• Translate customer requirements into tailored solutions by partnering closely with internal engineering, manufacturing, and quality teams
• Lead technical discussions, product positioning, and value articulation related to vacuum electronics, RF power systems, and associated components
• Identify and mitigate technical, commercial, and schedule risks while balancing customer needs and business objectives
• Expand relationships within key accounts, increasing MPP's footprint across platforms, programs, and lifecycle phases
• Monitor market trends, competitor offerings, and customer roadmaps to inform strategic account planning
• Represent MPP at customer sites, industry events, and technical or commercial reviews
• Travel within the assigned territory to support customer engagement and program execution (60%+)

YOU'RE A STRONG FIT IF YOU BRING SOME OF THE FOLLOWING (NOT ALL REQUIRED)
We recognize that strong candidates may not meet every qualification below. If this role aligns with your experience and interests, we encourage you to apply. This role is well suited for engineers who enjoy being externally visible, technically credible, and deeply embedded in customer programs—especially those looking to grow beyond purely technical or purely commercial career paths.

• A Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related technical discipline; advanced degrees or business training (e.g., MBA) are a plus
• Experience in technical sales, applications engineering, field engineering, or a similar customer-facing role supporting engineered products
• Exposure to aerospace, defense, or other high-reliability, regulated industries
• Familiarity with RF power systems, microwave or vacuum electronics, or other complex electromechanical systems (or a strong interest in developing depth in this space)
• Experience working directly with customer engineering teams on specification-driven programs, long sales cycles, or custom solutions
• Technical curiosity and the ability to translate complex engineering concepts into clear, compelling value for customers
• A demonstrated pattern of professional growth, such as increasing customer ownership, program responsibility, or deal complexity over time
• Strong communication, presentation, and collaboration skills with both technical and non-technical stakeholders
• Comfort working in ITAR/export-controlled environments, or willingness to learn and operate within those requirements
• Willingness and ability to travel within the assigned territory as needed to support customers and programs

WHAT WE OFFER

Salary Range - $110,000 - $160,000/year depending on experience

Whether you are a seasoned professional or just embarking on your career, MPP is an ideal place to expand your knowledge and expertise. We cultivate a healthy, dynamic, and team-oriented environment that empowers our employees to develop, create and deliver innovative, reliable technology solutions to power, connect, protect, and support a better tomorrow.

We offer our employees an attractive compensation package with competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits, including health and wellness programs, career development, generous retirement savings plan with company match and more!

OUR WORKPLACE COMMITMENT