Alliance Application Engineer

Be part of a growing, successful company in an exciting and challenging field. Border States is 100% employee-owned, which means you're empowered to make decisions, find solutions and receive rewards for your hard work. This position will be located in: Rapid City, SD  Application Deadline: December 8, 2025.Please note that the position may be filled before or after the listed application deadline. Applications will only be accepted while the posting remains active. Job Summary Actively facilitates the daily operations of our Alliance team by providing solutions and ensuring high-quality customer service. Key responsibilities include regularly visiting customers, consulting with customers on product and system applications, offering technical product support to both branches and customers, providing feedback to management on the effectiveness of sourcing plans and strategies, and providing valuable input to Alliance team on customer needs and concerns, such as pricing, products, competition, procedures, and market potential. Additionally, plays a critical role in evaluating new products and making recommendations on stock levels, offering field troubleshooting assistance, and conducting product application assessments. Works collaboratively with cross-functional teams to develop and implement solutions. Responsibilities Essential functions:Assists in engagements with alliance customers and provides support in consultations on product and system applications, working closely with senior and mid-level engineers to deliver responsive, quality service that meets customer expectations.Maintains regular communication and collaboration with customer's engineering staff and consultants to provide technical support for Alliance team, branches, and customers.Maintains an understanding of Electric and/or Natural Gas Utility systems.Participates in working on technically difficult problems where engineering concepts are needed, leveraging a broad range of products and services to assist mid-level and senior engineers in resolving complex issues related to product technology.Supports the implementation of marketing plans and strategies, providing input to other sales and marketing staff on customer needs and concerns regarding pricing, products, competition, procedures, and market potential.Collaborates with cross-functional teams to create TCCM cost savings documentation that is relevant to the assigned customer base, developing skills in problem-solving and operational excellence.Assists in evaluating new products and making recommendations on stock levels for new and existing products, providing input to the pricing and purchasing departments on product evaluations and code descriptions, inventory management, pricing developments, and other related functions, under the guidance of senior and mid-level engineers.Non-essential functions:Performs product updates and new product launches for branches and customers as required.  Attends and assists with sales meetings, trade shows and training programs as needed. Collaborates and provides technical trainings and presentations for BSE personnel internal as well as external customers.Performs other duties as assigned by supervisor. Qualifications •    Minimum of a four-year technical or engineering degree required. •    Prefer the knowledge and technical competence in understanding of electrical and/or natural gas utility distribution and transmission systems. •    Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Access and PowerPoint), Internet, Email and SAP software preferred.•    Some travel is required.   Skills and Abilities •    Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment and maintain a positive attitude under pressure.•    Excellent customer service skills include being competent, accurate, responsive and engaged.•    Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication with the ability to effectively plan and organize.  Physical Requirements Frequency at which you would carry/lift in a typical day:Occasionally 0 – 33% Frequently 34 – 66% Continuously: 67 – 100%Lift from Waist:< than 10 lbs. - Not at all10 to 25 lbs. - Not at all26 to 50 lbs. - Not at all51 to 75 lbs. - Not at all75 to 100 lbs. - Not at all100+ lbs. - Not at allLift from Floor:< than 10 lbs. - Frequently10 to 25 lbs. - Frequently26 to 50 lbs. - Occasionally51 to 75 lbs. - Not at all75 to 100 lbs. - Not at all100+ lbs. - Not at allCarried for Distance:< than 10 lbs. - Not at all10 to 25 lbs. - Not at all26 to 50 lbs. - Not at all51 to 75 lbs. - Not at all75 to 100 lbs. - Not at all100+ lbs. - Not at all Physical Activity Frequency at which you would do the following in a typical day:Sitting (a continuous period of being seated) - ContinuouslyStanding (for sustained periods of time) - FrequentlyWalking (moving about on foot to accomplish tasks) - FrequentlyBending/stooping (downward and forward) - FrequentlyCrawling (moving about on hands and knees or hands and feet) - Not at allClimbing/Walking Stairs (ascending or descending) - FrequentlyReaching (extending arms in any direction) - FrequentlyCrouching/squatting (bending the body downward and forward by bending leg and spine) - OccasionallyKneeling (bending legs at knee to come to rest on knee(s)) - OccasionallyBalancing (maintaining body equilibrium to prevent falling) - OccasionallyRepetitive motion (substantial movement (motions) or the wrists, hands, and/or fingers) - ContinuouslyPivoting (movement in any direction with one foot, keeping the other in contact with the floor) - OccasionallyPushing/Pulling (using upper extremities to press against or draw or tug) - OccasionallyGrasping (Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm) - ContinuouslyFingering (picking, pinching, typing; working with primarily fingers and not whole hand) - ContinuouslyTalking (expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word) - ContinuouslyDriving (the control and operation of a motor vehicle) - OccasionallyDesk work (work usually performed at a desk) - ContinuouslyUse of a computer - ContinuouslyUse of a telephone - FrequentlyHearing (Perceiving the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels) - ContinuouslyExposure (to adverse weather & temperature conditions) - OccasionallyTravel (travel needed to perform job duties) - Occasionally Additional Information This job description is a summary of the job duties and responsibilities and is not intended to cover all possible job duties and is subject to change at the employer's discretion. Employees must be able to perform the essential job duties and satisfy job requirements either with or without a reasonable accommodation.Our HistoryBorder States is a leader in the electrical supply distribution industry with approximately 130 locations in 31 states. Our employee-owners are second to none in delivering top-notch customer service and in demonstrating extra-ordinary people skills. We are one of the largest independent electrical distributors in the United States providing products and services to the construction, industrial and utility industries. Border States has a competitive benefit package and is a 100 percent employee-owned company. Employee-ownership is a significant part of our culture and our success stems from the dedication of our employee-owners. We practice open-book management and our employee-owners are empowered with clearly defined levels of authority to be innovative and decisive, allowing us to respond quickly to the needs of customers. Employee-owners understand their roles in the success of the company and care about customers' needs, which drives our focus on adding value to everything we do. We recognize that not all customers are the same and each has specific requirements. Our employee-owners understand these diverse needs and have the commitment, resourcefulness and flexibility to outperform all others.ValuesAs a Border States employee-owner, you're responsible for living our mission, service philosophy and service standards.Our PurposeWe believe unstoppable businesses shouldn't go it alone. We are owners - of relationships, of outcomes, of every moment these unstoppable businesses need to deliver.Service PhilosophyWe earn customer loyalty and confidence by caring about their needs and adding value to everything we do.Service StandardsBorder States employee-owners are competent, accurate, responsive, and engaged .Your careerJoin an experienced team at one of the largest electrical distributors in the United States. What are you waiting for?Border States has a competitive benefits package which includes but is not limited to:Health, Dental and Vision BenefitsAccident, Critical Illness, Hospital IndemnityFSA & HSAEmployee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)Disability Benefits401(k) Retirement PlanLife InsuranceEmployee Assistance ProgramPaid HolidaysPaid Volunteer TimePersonal Leave time and moreBorder States provides bonuses to their employee-owners upon the achievement of branch and company goals.Equal Opportunity For AllIt's not just the law.  It's something  we've believed in since our founding.  We value the diversity of all of our employee-owners and will always be an equal opportunity employer.Drug Free/Smoke Free workplaceEmployment may be contingent on the offered candidate successfully passing one or more of the following pre-employment screenings:Criminal background check (required for all positions)Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) check (required for positions involving driving)Drug testingThe MVR check and drug testing vary by role and will be communicated to the offered candidate during the onboarding process and as applicable.