Find out all there is to know about the profession of business engineer with IPAG's job description

The business engineer, or business developer, is a career with a bright future, drawing on a wide range of useful skills to help your company grow. What is the role of this business professional? How much can they earn and how do they get into this type of job? Find out more about this multi-faceted profession from IPAG Business School.

What is a business engineer and what is their role?

The job of business engineer stems from a specialisation in commerce. Placed at the crossroads of sales operations, customer communication and management, and the development and negotiation of new contracts, the business engineer plays a very important role within a company.

Sales engineers contribute to their company's growth by acting as managers and project leaders. They manage a team and their tasks fluctuate between prospecting, negotiating, representing and providing solutions to customers.

This job is a good compromise between technical and commercial skills. Business engineers have skills in market intelligence, product expertise, sales techniques and customer loyalty.

What does a business engineer do?

Their work focuses on customer relationship management.

The business engineer is a privileged point of contact for the customer. They act as a bridge between the company and the prospect. They can manage exchanges between logistics platforms and technicians, the purchasing department and key accounts, etc.

They respond to invitations to tender and remain open to the search for new customers. They understand and analyse customer needs. He/she negotiates and drafts commercial offers and checks contract clauses. You monitor the progress of sales and your portfolio.

This is a job best suited to older people who are able to adapt to changes in the market. The business engineer is a project manager who has to be a driving force not only with customers, but also within the company:

• It finds and proposes solutions tailored to customers' needs.
• He continually improves the responses provided by his department.

What are the skills and qualities of a business engineer?

To become a business engineer, sales people need a range of professional qualities and skills:

• Technical and commercial skills: in-depth knowledge of markets and commercial codes, knowledge of IT tools.
• Negotiation and communication skills: oral and written expression, empathy, analytical mind, stress management, diplomacy.
• A flair for project management and leadership: creativity, dynamism, inventiveness and adaptability.
• Fluency in English or other strategic languages is a plus.
• Legal knowledge of public procurement and current regulations.
• A taste for teamwork, but also for working independently.

What sectors do business engineers work in?

Business engineers work in a variety of industries and markets, depending on the company they work for and their customer portfolio.

They may work in technical sectors such as :

• cyber security
• nuclear power
• transport
• automotive
• logistics
• IT;
• engineering or research firms.

They may also work in sectors linked to digital activity: start-ups, online platforms, agencies, digital solutions publishers, etc. They must therefore be highly adaptable, as their role is multi-faceted.

Quelles études suivre pour devenir ingénieur d'affaires ?

There are several educational pathways that can lead to the position of business engineer. Generally speaking, sales professionals have studied at a business school or an engineering school. They may also have completed a master's degree in business strategy or a professional master's degree in marketing with a specialisation in business engineering.

Business engineers have a wealth of experience when they enter the world of work, thanks to a degree equivalent to a Bac +5, such as a master's in corporate finance. But it is above all the professional experience gained during their training that will help them stand out from the crowd when it comes to finding a job.

IPAG can provide you with the necessary background if you are considering becoming a business engineer. Our courses will give you the business skills essential to this profession. Find out more about our MBA or Bachelor of Business Administration.

What does a business engineer earn?

The salary of the business developer varies according to the type of profile and sector of activity.

• Business engineer junior : €2 200 to €4 250 monthly.
• The confirmed business engineer: €4 680 to €5 400 monthly.
• The senior business engineer: €5 500 to €6 600 monthly.

A business engineer's salary could eventually reach €110k a year. What's more, it's important to bear in mind that a business engineer's income will also fluctuate according to target bonuses. The more effective they are in business, the more they are likely to earn.

How does a business engineer's career develop?

In a global economy that is constantly evolving, particularly from a digital point of view, the professional sector offers many interesting prospects for business engineers.

After a few years' experience, business developers can look forward to advancement. Positions such as account manager or customer success manager are open to them. Business engineers may also choose to pursue their careers abroad.

Eventually, the sales engineer could rise to the position of sales manager, consultant or customer manager. They may also choose to work on projects, taking up a position as project manager.

Embark on an exciting career in business at IPAG: our school trains future business engineers. Are you a student? Do you have any questions about studying to become a business engineer? Contact us now.