Employee Spotlight: Jeff Baumberger, Sales Engineer & NPD Lead

This month, we’re excited to spotlight Jeff Baumberger, whose work at Marlin sits at the intersection of sales engineering, product strategy, and new product development. Jeff brings a systems mindset, a collaborative spirit, and a passion for building things—both inside and outside the workplace.

Shaping Strategy Through Systems Thinking

As both a Sales Engineer and NPD Lead, Jeff’s role spans strategy, product direction, and OEM positioning. His days are anything but predictable. One moment he’s reviewing control architectures; the next he’s working with OEM partners on system-level challenges or guiding product roadmaps. He also collaborates closely with internal teams to refine designs across Marlin’s platforms.

What ties all of this together is a deep commitment to systems thinking.

“Marlin’s strength is systems thinking. We don’t just build components—we design complete control strategies,” Jeff explains. His focus is on delivering architectures that reduce wiring complexity, improve reliability, and give OEMs long-term flexibility. That approach gives Marlin a meaningful competitive edge in the mobile equipment space.

One surprising part of Jeff’s job? How much of it revolves around simplifying complexity.

“In complex machines, removing complexity is often harder than adding features,” he says. “A lot of the work happens early in the concept phase, and it starts with asking the right questions.”

A Career Built on Cross-Disciplinary Experience

Jeff’s connection to Marlin goes back more than two decades.

“I’ve known Marlin for over 20 years,” he says. “Working with—and now for—the company has shown me the growth we’ve achieved not only in products, but in processes and how we support our partners.”

A supportive, collaborative environment was high on Jeff’s list of priorities, and Marlin checked every box.

His background spans technical engineering, business development, and hands-on fabrication—an uncommon combination that shapes how he approaches problem-solving.

“Working across disciplines taught me that the best solutions balance technical performance, manufacturability, and cost,” he explains. That systems mindset guides everything he does.

The most important lesson he’s learned in his career? Think long term.

“Short-term decisions can create long-term complexity. The best engineering solutions anticipate what the system will need five years from now, not just what solves today’s problem.”

Impact, Achievements, and Overcoming Challenges

When asked what accomplishment he’s most proud of, Jeff doesn’t point to a single project. Instead, he talks about the spark that happens when a customer’s vision starts to take shape.

“I value team, and we have a good one,” he says. “Helping customers bring their ideas to life is incredibly rewarding.”

Like many people joining a new organization—especially in a remote world—finding his place was a challenge. But modern tools and simple habits helped bridge the gap.

“Turning on your camera goes a long way,” he notes. “It helps create the bonds that come naturally when you can walk over to someone’s office.”

Jeff measures success by the impact of the systems he helps design.

“If an OEM partner’s machine becomes simpler, more serviceable, and more scalable because of our architecture, that’s success.”

Internally, he looks at how well products integrate across families and platforms, how simple processes are, and whether the team is failing fast and innovating in the right direction.

Teamwork and Culture That Make a Difference

Jeff enjoys working with people who think critically and care about building things well.

“Collaboration at Marlin isn’t just about getting a project done—it’s about refining solutions and improving continuously.”

He describes the culture as practical, driven, and engineering-focused.

“We’re a responsive, nimble team with capabilities that punch above our weight.”

Compared to other workplaces, Marlin stands out for its supportive environment and its commitment to doing things the right way—not just the fast way.

Motivation, Habits, and Life Beyond Work

Jeff is motivated by the pursuit of improvement—whether that’s a better system for an OEM or a better internal process.

“Sometimes it’s hard to shut down for the day when the solution feels so close,” he admits.

To stay organized, he relies heavily on tools.

“There’s so much noise in our everyday lives. I’d be lost without effectively using the tools available to track progress and follow up on tasks.”

Outside of work, Jeff enjoys building things with his hands—metalwork, woodworking, mechanical projects. Creating something tangible brings a different kind of satisfaction.

Looking Ahead

Jeff is excited about building product direction into scalable strategies that expand Marlin’s capabilities and help customers adapt to evolving markets.

Looking forward, he sees the department dedicating more energy to strategic direction—anticipating customer needs and designing solutions that offer long-term flexibility.

His advice for new team members is simple but powerful:

“Think systems. Ask why. And never design in isolation—every decision impacts serviceability, cost, and scalability.”

A Few Fun Facts About Jeff

Jeff is equally comfortable designing CAN architecture as he is fabricating a steel gate or building a wood kiln.

If he could switch roles for a day, he’d choose production—just to see how everything is built. Outside the company? He’d trade places with NHL star William Nylander… but only if he could borrow the speed and silky mits too.

To unwind, Jeff spends weekends volunteering as a ski patroller at Mt. Bachelor and sneaks in hockey during the week. In the summer, you’ll find him rafting, hiking, or rock climbing—anything that keeps him feeling young.