Manager - Product Application Engineer - L1 Technical Support (East Zone)

Position: Manager - Product Application Engineer - L1 Technical Support (East Zone)

Location: Kolkata
Reporting To: Regional Sales Manager

Position Summary

The L1 Technical Support Engineer will provide pre-sales and application support for Industrial Automation products including Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs), Soft Starters, PLCs, HMIs, Industrial Communication, and related automation solutions. The role will serve as the first level of technical expertise for channel partners, sales teams, and customers across the South Zone, ensuring timely support, product selection guidance, application development assistance, and effective customer engagement.

Key Responsibilities

1. Pre-Sales Technical Support

• Provide technical compliance evaluation against customer specifications and tender requirements.
• Support product selection and sizing for automation solutions.
• Review customer inquiries, specifications, BOQs, and application requirements.
• Prepare technical comparisons against competitor offerings.
• Conduct product demonstrations and proof-of-concept presentations.
• Assist sales and channel partners in preparing technically compliant proposals.
• Support technical discussions with consultants, OEMs, system integrators, EPCs, and end users.

1. Training & Technical Enablement

• Conduct regular product and application training programs for:
• Authorized Channel Partners
• System Integrators
• Sales Teams
• Application Engineers
• Develop training materials, presentations, and application notes.
• Organize hands-on workshops and demonstration sessions.
• Drive technical competency enhancement programs across the region.
• Ensure channels remain updated on new product launches and feature enhancements.
•  
• Advanced Technical Support & Escalation Management

• Act as first-line technical support for complex application issues.
• Coordinate with service teams to resolve chronic and recurring field problems.
• Analyze root causes of technical issues and recommend corrective actions.
• Support troubleshooting of:
• VFD applications
• Soft Starter applications
• PLC/HMI systems
• Industrial communication networks
• SCADA systems
• Interface with product management teams for unresolved cases.
• Maintain records of technical cases, solutions, and learnings.
•  
• Application Development Support

• Support channel partners and system integrators in application development.
• Assist in software configuration, commissioning logic, and application programming.
• Support proof-of-concept testing and validation.
• Share best practices and application know-how with customers and channels.

Key Deliverables (KPIs)

• Technical inquiry response time.
• Number of technical trainings conducted.
• Channel competency development index.
• Pre-sales support conversion rate.
• First-time resolution percentage.
• Reduction in recurring service escalations.
• Number of application support cases closed.
• Customer and channel satisfaction ratings.
• Technical support coverage across South Zone.

Required Qualifications

Education

• BE / B.Tech or Diploma in Electrical, Electronics, Instrumentation, Mechatronics, or Industrial Automation.

Experience

• Min 2 to 6 years of experience in Industrial Automation, Drives, Motion Control, PLC, or related fields.
• Experience supporting OEMs, System Integrators, EPCs, or Industrial End Users preferred.

Technical Skills

• VFDs and Soft Starters
• PLC Programming
• HMI/SCADA Systems
• Industrial Ethernet & Fieldbus Communication
• Motor Control Applications
• Industrial Networks
• Application Engineering
• Electrical Drawings & Schematics
• Automation System Troubleshooting

Preferred Knowledge

• Water & Wastewater
• HVAC
• Material Handling
• Process Industries
• Food & Beverage
• Metals & Mining
• Cement
• General Manufacturing

Competencies

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Customer-oriented approach
• Effective presentation and training skills
• Good communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities
• Technical documentation and report writing
• Team collaboration and stakeholder management

This role is ideal for engineers passionate about automation technology, customer engagement, technical problem-solving, and application development.

What's in it for me?

• Be part of meaningful work that drives energy transition and digital transformation
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including sales, engineering, and product experts
• Grow your technical expertise through training, certifications, and hands-on experience
• Join a culture that values innovation, customer partnership, and continuous improvement

Bring your technical talent to a team that's shaping the future — apply today!

Rewards designed for you

Our Total Rewards is our way of saying: We see you and we value you. It’s more than just pay and benefits—it’s a meaningful investment in you. It is designed to help you perform, grow, feel safe, and elevate your potential. The package helps you care for yourself and your family, plan your future, grow your skills and career, collaborate in an inclusive workplace, and contribute to your community. At Schneider Electric, we’re here for what matters most to you. Discover more at our Career Page.

* Country-specific programs and initiatives may be available.

Looking to make an IMPACT with your career?

When you are thinking about joining a new team, culture matters. At Schneider Electric, our values and behaviors are the foundation for creating a great culture to support business success. We believe that our  IMPACT values – Inclusion, Mastery, Purpose, Action, Curiosity, Teamwork – starts with us.

IMPACT is also your invitation to join Schneider Electric where you can contribute to turning sustainability ambition into actions, no matter what role you play. It is a call to connect your career with the ambition of achieving a more resilient, efficient, and sustainable world.

We are looking for IMPACT Makers; exceptional people who turn sustainability ambitions into actions at the intersection of automation, electrification, and digitization. We celebrate IMPACT Makers and believe everyone has the potential to be one.

Become an IMPACT Maker with Schneider Electric – apply today!

€40 billion global revenue
+9% organic growth
150 000+ employees in 100+ countries

You must submit an online application to be considered for any position with us. This position will be posted until filled.

Schneider Electric aspires to be the most inclusive and caring company in the world, by providing equitable opportunities to everyone, everywhere, and ensuring all employees feel uniquely valued and safe to contribute their best. We mirror the diversity of the communities in which we operate, and ‘inclusion’ is one of our core values. We believe our differences make us stronger as a company and as individuals and we are committed to championing inclusivity in everything we do.

At Schneider Electric, we uphold the highest standards of ethics and compliance, and we believe that trust is a foundational value. Our Trust Charter is our Code of Conduct and demonstrates our commitment to ethics, safety, sustainability, quality and cybersecurity, underpinning every aspect of our business and our willingness to behave and respond respectfully and in good faith to all our stakeholders. You can find out more about our Trust Charter here
 
Schneider Electric is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is our policy to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities in the areas of recruiting, hiring, training, transferring, and promoting all qualified individuals regardless of race, religion, color, gender, disability, national origin, ancestry, age, military status, sexual orientation, marital status, or any other legally protected characteristic or conduct.