Exploring Engineering Sales: Opportunities, Tradeoffs, and Pathways
Sales is often misunderstood by engineers—yet it plays a critical role in how technology moves from idea to impact. In this StevensConnects Virtual Career Workshop, Stevens alumnus Christopher Pinyan ’89 shares his unexpected and nonlinear journey through engineering, technical sales, product management, and manufacturing leadership to demystify what “sales” really looks like for engineers.
Drawing from decades of experience across optics, manufacturing, and advanced technology companies, Chris will explore how sales skills naturally show up in many engineering roles, the wide range of career paths that blend technical expertise with customer-facing work, and the realities—both rewarding and challenging—of sales-oriented careers. Topics will include earning potential, career flexibility, travel, long sales cycles, work-life tradeoffs, and the skills that help engineers succeed when business and technology intersect.
This conversation is ideal for students and young to mid-career alumni who are curious about technical sales and sales engineering—and for anyone who wants a clearer picture of how engineers can thrive beyond traditional design-focused careers.
Attendees will leave with practical insights, honest perspectives, and concrete ideas for exploring sales-related pathways without “leaving engineering behind.”
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