Systems Sales Engineering Manager (Santa Clara)

Forward Networks is transforming how the world’s most complex networks are managed and secured. Founded in 2013 by four Stanford Ph.D.s, we built the industry’s first network digital twin — a mathematically precise model of the production network that gives IT teams unmatched visibility, verification, and agility across every major cloud and vendor environment.Our customers include global leaders such as Goldman Sachs, PayPal, S&P Global, IBM, and Dell, as well as fast-growing enterprises and government agencies. According to IDC, Forward Networks customers realize an average of $14.2 million in annual benefits through improved efficiency and security.Backed by world-class investors including Andreessen Horowitz, Goldman Sachs, MSD Partners, and Threshold Ventures, Forward Networks offers a people-centric, innovative culture where brilliant minds are shaping the future of network reliability, security, and AI-ready operations.Forward Networks is looking for a Systems Sales Engineer ManagerDo you want to create a category and help build a special company?Join a company that has been in market 7+ years and has some of the top Federal agencies and F500/Global 2000 already buying and referenceable.We are building a special team and hope you consider us if you want to have the experience of changing the networking world as we know it. We're seeking an experienced Systems Sales Engineering Manager who will lead a team of Systems Sales Engineers while also serving as a hands-on technical expert. This is a hybrid role requiring both strong leadership capabilities and the technical depth to actively engage with customers as a practitioner—qualifying opportunities, providing technical leadership on key deals, and executing POCs directly.What You'll DoManagement & Team Leadership:Lead and manage a high-performing team of Systems Sales Engineers to achieve revenue and new business growth targetsDevelop and execute team strategies to drive revenue growth, expand market share, and build strong customer relationshipsRecruit, train, and mentor Systems Sales Engineers, providing ongoing coaching, feedback, and career developmentManage team performance through data and analytics, setting clear goals and holding the team accountable to resultsFoster a collaborative environment where the team can thrive and continuously improveTechnical Practitioner & Sales Leadership:Actively engage as a technical authority on regional opportunitiesQualify and scope opportunities directly alongside sales teams to assess fit and ensure technical feasibilityLead and execute POCs (Proof of Concepts) for key prospects, demonstrating deep technical expertiseServe as the technical lead on major pursuits, providing hands-on guidance and executionProvide technical guidance to the sales team, ensuring they have the knowledge, frameworks, and tools to succeedDevelop and deliver compelling technical presentations and product demonstrations to prospective clientsCross-Functional Collaboration:Partner with Product Management, Marketing, and Engineering to align sales strategies with company goals and product roadmapGather customer insights from direct opportunity engagement to inform product decisionsStay current with industry trends, competitive landscapes, and technical best practicesProvide recommendations for continuous improvement based on real-world customer interactionsRequirements:7+ years of experience in software sales engineering, with a proven track record of success in driving revenue growth3+ years of experience in a leadership role, managing a team of sales professionalsExcellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to effectively convey technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiencesStrong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to use data to drive decision-makingExperience working in a fast-paced, agile environment, with the ability to adapt to changing priorities and requirementsStrong leadership and people management skills, with the ability to motivate and inspire a team to achieve their goalsProven ability to develop and execute successful sales strategies, build strong customer relationships, and drive revenue growthExperience:Excellent understanding of Networking, Cloud and/or Security fundamentals.• Understanding of networking protocols, and other operational tools andpractices.• Experience supporting multiple large enterprises, service providers orGovernmental agencies.• Strong verbal and written communications skills• Experience as a leader running sales engineering organization• Experience using data and metrics to drive improvements.• Experience owning program strategy and communicating results to seniorLeadership.Highly Desired:Vendor certification (CCNP,CCIE,JNCIA,JNCIE,JNCIS,AWS CSA Associate etc.)The expected On-Target Cash Earnings for this role is between 275,000- 325,000 per year. Within this range, individual pay is determined by several factors including but not limited to, job-related skills, work experience, and relevant education/training