Sales Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

Position Overview:
The Sales Engineer is responsible for supporting sales teams by providing technical expertise across the full company portfolio, including optical networking, advanced software solutions, and professional services. This includes positioning the company's industry-leading capabilities in multi-vendor optical networking, network automation, lifecycle management, and managed services.
This role is critical in positioning the company's capabilities, evaluating customer requirements, designing network architectures, sizing software solutions, performing product demonstrations, and building customer confidence throughout the sales cycle. Responsibilities also include positioning and supporting professional services and managed services offerings as part of comprehensive solution proposals.

Key Responsibilities:

• 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 Prism® automation platform and associated services.
• 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:
Required responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Work with a team in the planning, design, and operation of customer optical 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 coordinate small to medium-scale network design projects
• Perform demonstrations or POC's over web conference or live meetings
• Win the confidence of colleagues and client prospects as an expert technical resource
• Assist sales in pricing, proposing, and SOW creation
• Interface with other departments regarding product development and implementation
• 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
• Conduct ongoing technology assessments, research new network-related products and features, and develop cost-effective recommendations and plans for optimizing the deployment process

Competencies:

• Minimum of 3 years of relevant work experience
• Preferred candidates to have direct experience supporting or selling OEM optical/networking products.
• Intermediate level knowledge of Optical Fiber Principles, including: optical fiber transmission, modes, attenuation, dispersion, and signal integrity
• Intermediate 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 tools to perform link budget analysis to optimize signal strength and ensure reliable communication over optical links
• Intermediate 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
• Intermediate 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
• Working knowledge of Layer 2/3 networking, including protocols such as OSPF, BGP, MPLS, and EVPN.
• Basic understanding of Network Management Systems (netFlex, 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.
• 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
• Excellent written and verbal skills with the ability to explain technology topics to varied audiences.
• Ability to accurately follow documented procedures
• Aptitude to learn new technologies as they are incorporated into the system

Required Skills & Knowledge:

• Optical Networking: Intermediate-level knowledge of optical products and design principles; basic understanding of L2/L3 packet network services.
• Software Solutions: Background in Network Management Systems and networking software, with the ability to position and demonstrate software capabilities.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills to engage technical and business stakeholders.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced, customer-focused environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 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.

Work Environment:
This position is an in-office or remote, full-time role located in either the Richardson, TX office or near a major metro airport. Applicant must have access to broadband internet and an appropriate working area to conduct the job functions noted above. Travel for sales support and customer presentations will be required as needed.

Travel:
A moderate amount of travel within the continental US is expected for this position to support relevant sales engagements.