Senior Sales Engineer

Key Responsibilities in this Senior Sales Engineer role

• Serve as the primary technical authority for optical networking, software solutions, and managed services.
• Lead technical strategy and solution development for high-value customer opportunities.
• Own the technical direction and architecture of complex optical and software-driven network designs.
• Collaborate with sales teams to position solutions effectively, including professional and managed services
• Assess customer requirements and design network architectures that meet technical and business objectives.
• Size and configure solutions, including optical networks, Network Management Systems and automation platform and associated services.
• Provide senior-level guidance on incorporating managed services into customer solutions.
• Deliver compelling product demonstrations for both hardware and software platforms.
• Provide remote and onsite technical support during sales engagements.
• Act as a trusted advisor to customers, ensuring proposed solutions – including align with their operational needs.

Job Functions

Your required responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Lead technical discussions with customers, translating business needs into technical solutions and guiding them through design decisions with clarity and confidence. 
• Act as a trusted advisor, offering unbiased consultation across multiple vendor solutions to ensure the best technical and business fit.
• Take ownership of the planning, design, and operation of customer transport networks.
• Work with sales teams to design and develop winning and profitable solutions
• Validate customer requests and requirements for network hardware, software, and functionality
• Participate in sales discussions over audio/web conference or in live meetings
• Lead and architect complex, multi-vendor optical network designs, ensuring alignment with customer technical, operational, and business strategies.
• Develop compelling demonstrations or POC’s and deliver over web conference or live meetings
• Drive solution strategy across optical transport, software automation platforms, and managed services to deliver end-to-end value.
• Win the confidence of colleagues and client prospects as an expert technical resource
• Support sales in pricing, proposing, and SOW creation
• Interface with product, engineering, and implementation teams to ensure solution alignment.
• Provide timely project updates to internal engineering and project managers
• Communicate with vendors as may be required for installation, configuration, technical support, and purchasing issues
• Provide product, systems, and technical training to new and existing employees on an as needed basis.
• Stay current with industry trends and emerging technologies to provide strategic guidance and innovative recommendations.

Competencies

• Minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience
• Preferred candidates to have direct experience supporting or selling OEM optical/networking products.
• Proven ability to operate as a senior technical advisor for optical networking, software systems, and managed service offerings.
• Demonstrated leadership in developing end-to-end architectures integrating optical transport, automation software, and service-based operational models.
• Expert level knowledge of Optical Fiber Principles including: optical fiber transmission, modes, attenuation, dispersion, and signal integrity
• Expert level knowledge of Optical Network Design:
  • a. System Architecture: Ability to design and architect optical communication systems, considering factors such as network topology, bandwidth requirements, and scalability
  • b. Link Budget Analysis: Capability to utilize vendor tools to perform link budget analysis to optimize signal strength and ensure reliable communication over optical links
• Expert level knowledge of Optical Components
  • a. Familiarity with optical components such as lasers, photodetectors, modulators, and wavelength division multiplexers (WDM)
  • b. Component Selection and Integration: Ability to select appropriate optical components and integrate them into the network design
• Expert level knowledge of Layer 1 Network Protocols and Standards
  • a. Understanding of Optical Networking Protocols: Knowledge of protocols specific to optical networks, such as SONET/SDH, DWDM, and ROADM
  • b. Compliance with Standards: Ensure adherence to industry standards and specifications related to optical communication 
  • c. Optical Testing Equipment: Proficiency in using optical testing equipment, including optical time-domain reflectometers (OTDRs) and optical power meters
• Strong knowledge of Layer 2/3 networking, including protocols such as OSPF, BGP, MPLS, and EVPN. 
• Basic understanding of Network Management Systems (Ciena Navigator, Cisco Prime, Nokia NSP, etc). 
• Familiarity with network technologies including IP/MPLS, SNMP, NetConf/YANG and REST APIs is  preferred.
• Troubleshooting Skills: Ability to identify and resolve issues in optical networks, including troubleshooting signal loss, dispersion, and other optical impairments. 
• Ability to influence customer technical strategy through expert-level consultation.
• Excellent written and verbal skills with the ability to explain complex topics to varied audiences.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail to ensure precision in network design and  solution proposals.
• Demonstrated experience supporting sales efforts with technical presentations and solution design
• Ability to accurately follow documented procedures
• Aptitude to learn new technologies as they are incorporated into the system

Required Skills & Knowledge

• Optical Networking: Expert-level knowledge of optical products and design principles; fundamental understanding of L2/L3 packet network services.
• Extensive experience designing and presenting complex network architectures to both technical and executive stakeholders.
• Senior-level proficiency with Network Management Systems, automation platforms, and softwaredriven operational models.
• Deep understanding of managed services frameworks, including operational workflows, SLAs, lifecycle management, and service economics.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills to engage technical and business stakeholders.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced, customer-focused environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• 10+ years experience in optical networking or advanced network architecture roles.
• History of serving as a senior technical lead, principal engineer, or subject-matter expert (SME).
• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field.
• Optical vendor certifications (e.g., Ciena, Nokia).
• Experience with network automation platforms and SDN/NFV concepts
• Familiarity with multi-vendor optical environments and network lifecycle management.

$110K - $145K base salary + 40% uncapped commission.

Why Join?

• Play a key technical leadership role influencing next-generation optical and automation architecture for major service providers, utilities and hyper-scalers.
• Work with cutting-edge technologies in optical networking and automation.
• Be part of a team that designs and delivers the most advanced networks in the world.
• Competitive compensation, benefits, and opportunities for professional growth.