About Us
Critical Airflow Europe Ltd. (CAE) is the European leader in delivering safe, energy-efficient laboratory control and critical airflow solutions, with over 25 years of industry experience. As the exclusive UK and Republic of Ireland distributor for global innovators such as Phoenix Controls, Strobic Air Corporation, and Aircuity, we specialise in pressurisation control, temperature, humidity, hazardous exhaust, and demand-side ventilation.
With hundreds of successful projects worldwide, CAE has helped clients significantly reduce their carbon footprint, contributing to the avoidance of millions of tons of carbon emissions.
In 2023, CAE was acquired by the ESS Group, which includes three specialist companies:
-
Engineering Support & Services (ESS) – experts in asset management and maintenance reliability through people.
-
Eirdata Environmental Services – specialists in cleanroom validation, commissioning and compliance, HVAC systems, indoor air quality and building wellness.
-
Critical Airflow Europe (CAE) – specialists in critical airflow and laboratory environmental control solutions.
Your Role
As a
Business Development Engineer, you will have the opportunity to develop your engineering career in a technical, customer-facing and commercially focused role.
Working closely with experienced engineers and the wider CAE team, you will develop a strong understanding of our products and solutions and learn how to apply them to real-world customer requirements. You will support the identification and development of new business opportunities while providing technical guidance to consulting engineers, contractors, architects and other stakeholders.
This role would suit an engineer with
2–5 years of engineering experience who is looking to broaden their career into technical sales, business development and customer solutions.
You will receive support and mentoring as you develop your commercial and technical skills, with the opportunity to take increasing ownership of customer relationships, proposals and projects over time.
Key Responsibilities
Customer & Business Development-
Develop strong relationships with existing and prospective customers, consultants, contractors and other industry stakeholders.
-
Understand customer requirements and help identify appropriate technical solutions.
-
Support the development of new business opportunities across the UK and Republic of Ireland.
-
Participate in customer meetings, site visits, sales calls and presentations.
-
Develop an understanding of the sales process and progressively take ownership of customer opportunities.
Technical Consultation-
Provide technical support and product information to customers, consulting engineers and other stakeholders.
-
Review project requirements and assist in developing appropriate airflow, environmental control and HVAC solutions.
-
Interpret engineering drawings, specifications and project documentation.
-
Work with experienced members of the CAE team to develop technically appropriate solutions.
Proposals & Costing-
Assist with preparing technical proposals, quotations and cost estimates.
-
Review customer specifications, drawings and other project documentation.
-
Liaise with engineering, commercial and architectural teams to ensure proposals meet customer requirements.
-
Develop the ability to independently prepare proposals and quotations as experience grows.
Project Support-
Support the team with order submissions and project handovers.
-
Assist with engineering changes and customer queries during project delivery.
-
Work collaboratively with internal engineering, project management and commercial teams to help ensure successful project execution.
Customer Training & Knowledge Sharing-
Support the delivery of technical product information and training to customers and industry partners.
-
Develop a strong understanding of CAE's products, technologies and applications.
-
Build knowledge of laboratory environments, critical airflow systems, HVAC and building environmental controls.
Market & Industry Development-
Monitor market trends, emerging technologies and competitor activity.
-
Develop an understanding of the laboratory, life sciences, healthcare and critical environment sectors.
-
Build relationships within the engineering and consulting community.
-
Contribute to regular business development and sales reports.
Continuous Learning-
Continue to develop technical and commercial knowledge through training, workshops, industry events and professional development.
-
Keep up to date with relevant engineering standards, technologies and industry developments.
-
Take an active role in developing your career within CAE and the wider ESS Group.
Team Collaboration-
Work closely with experienced engineers and business development professionals.
-
Contribute ideas and solutions to technical and commercial challenges.
-
Support the wider team in delivering CAE's business objectives.
-
Take increasing responsibility for projects and customer relationships as your experience develops.
Candidate Profile
We are looking for an engineer who is technically curious, commercially minded and interested in developing a career that combines engineering with customer engagement and business development.
Essential-
Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Building Services Engineering, or a related engineering discipline, or equivalent technical qualification.
-
2–5 years of relevant engineering experience.
-
Good understanding of engineering principles and the ability to interpret technical drawings, specifications and documentation.
-
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
-
Excellent communication skills and the confidence to engage with customers and technical stakeholders.
-
Ability to work independently while also collaborating effectively within a team.
-
Full driving licence and willingness to travel for customer meetings and site visits.
Desirable-
Experience in HVAC, building services, ventilation, laboratory environments, controls, energy management or related engineering sectors.
-
Exposure to consulting engineers, contractors, architects or other professional stakeholders.
-
Some experience dealing directly with customers or supporting commercial activities.
-
Familiarity with CRM systems or other sales/business development tools.
-
Understanding of airflow, pressure control, ventilation or environmental control systems.
Previous sales experience is not essential. We are particularly interested in engineers who are motivated to develop their commercial and customer-facing skills.
Key Skills & Attributes-
Engineering mindset: Able to understand technical requirements, analyse problems and develop practical solutions.
-
Customer-focused: Interested in understanding customer challenges and translating them into effective technical solutions.
-
Communication: Confident communicating technical information clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.
-
Commercial awareness: Interested in understanding how engineering solutions create value for customers and the business.
-
Curiosity & learning: Willing to develop knowledge of new technologies, products and applications.
-
Organisation: Able to manage multiple tasks, follow up on opportunities and meet deadlines.
-
Team player: Comfortable working with experienced engineers, sales professionals, project managers and customers.
-
Initiative: Proactive, enthusiastic and willing to take ownership as their experience develops.
-
Career ambition: Interested in developing a long-term career combining engineering, technical solutions and business development.
Compensation & Benefits
At CAE, we are committed to providing a competitive compensation package alongside comprehensive benefits that support your professional goals and personal well-being.
You’ll have the opportunity to work with cutting-edge technologies in an industry that makes a real environmental impact. You’ll collaborate with a passionate, expert team and play a critical role in helping our clients achieve energy efficiency and sustainability goals.
CAE supports our people to never stop growing. We believe in investing in personal and professional development while empowering our employees to achieve a healthy work-life balance and build a rewarding long-term career.
Benefits include:-
Pension
-
VHI
-
Laptop
-
Company phone
-
Paid holidays
-
Continuing education and professional development programme
-
Company vehicle
-
Ongoing technical and commercial training
-
Mentoring and career development opportunities
