Sales Engineer at Eaton Corporation
Former Sailor Christopher Ziegler, 33, leverages his nuclear electronics training into a lucrative career.
by Warren Duffie

Christopher Ziegler’s military career was almost determined by a coin toss. After talking with several recruiters, he narrowed his options to the Navy or Air Force. Unable to decide on a branch, he decided to flip a coin when the Navy recruiter called him back.

“I figured that was a good sign I should go into the Navy,” said the former petty officer first class.

A lucky move. Ziegler was soon trained in nuclear electronics, which helped him land a great civilian career with Eaton Corporation. The company provides products and services to the electrical, aerospace, hydraulics, and truck and automotive industries.

On the Job
Ziegler, 33, is a sales engineer in Eaton’s electrical business group. Based in northern Alabama, he connects hundreds of clients with millions of dollars worth of electrical repair and maintenance services.

“Our services deal with pretty much anything that runs on electricity,” he said. “Power transformers, feeder breakers and motor starters, to name a few.”

Ziegler spends half his schedule on the road, meeting with current and potential customers to review their needs and sell Eaton’s capabilities. When Ziegler is in the office, he works from 0800 to 1700 – spending his days writing business proposals and briefing field engineers on what services clients need, according to their contracts.

“The Navy taught me great time-management skills, which are very important,” he said. “My schedule is very flexible and I make my own appointments, so my military experience helps me stay on track.

I also learned to be a problem-solver. Some of my customers have issues that aren’t visible right away. I know how to talk to them and figure out ways to address a variety of needs. Clients need more than just Band-Aid solutions.”

The Company
Cleveland-based Eaton Corporation is a diversified power management company with 2008 sales of $15.4 billion. Its products and services include:

• Electrical components and systems for power quality, distribution and control
• Hydraulics components, systems, and services for industrial and mobile equipment
• Aerospace fuel, hydraulics, and pneumatic systems for commercial and military use
• Truck and automotive drive train and power train systems for performance, fuel economy and safety

Eaton has about 70,000 employees and sells products to customers in more than 150 countries. The company recently gained attention when Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas – the world’s largest cruise ship – embarked on its maiden voyage Dec. 5. Oasis of the Seas, which spans nearly 1,200 feet in length and has 16 passenger decks, has more than 20 Eaton uninterruptible power system (UPS) units on board. These provide a steady flow of power to the vessel’s massive navigation, computer, emergency lighting and heating/cooling systems, restaurants, casinos and theaters.

In Uniform
In 1998 Ziegler was studying chemistry and mathematics at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in Belton, Texas. But he was unhappy at school. A native of Temple – not far from Fort Hood – he knew a lot of people connected with the military and decided that might be an attractive career path.

Ziegler completed Navy boot camp at Naval Station Great Lakes. He was then sent to the Nuclear Power Training Unit in Charleston, S.C., for training in nuclear electronics. Afterward, he was retained as a staff instructor, teaching students about the electrical systems in shipboard nuclear reactors.

The Transition
In 2003 Ziegler injured his knee and received a medical discharge. After taking transition classes and meeting with various recruiters, he found a job with General Physics, which provided training, engineering and technical services. He was sent to Detroit to help train technicians working for the “Big Three” auto makers about automobile computer, electrical, and safety systems.

Ziegler was later sent to a Mercedes-Benz plant in Birmingham, Ala. However, when the Mercedes contract fell through, Ziegler and his wife decided to stay in Alabama and seek new employment. Luckily, he received a call from Eaton, which needed engineers in its Alabama region. Within a month, Ziegler was hired.

“I liked that Eaton was a diverse company with a lot of growth potential,” he said. “You can excel as far as you want if you have the desire.”

Ziegler’s Advice
Save your money. “The cost of living is higher in the civilian world. You also have to pay for health care. When I first got out, my civilian salary was comparable to my military pay. But with the cost of living, I actually took a small pay cut. Be prepared for that possibility.”

Be willing to go where the jobs are. “The military taught you to be adaptable. That will help you as a civilian.”