Director, Solutions Engineering

Axion•New York, NY

About The Position

Founded in 2021, Axion is at the forefront of transforming product quality and customer satisfaction in manufacturing. Our cutting-edge AI-powered platform empowers manufacturers to swiftly identify, thoroughly investigate, and effectively resolve quality issues while simultaneously elevating customer experiences and outcomes. As trailblazers in end-to-end quality intelligence, we're setting new industry standards. Our innovative approach enables industrial, aerospace, consumer, and medtech manufacturers to harness the power of quality and post-market data, driving down costs and boosting business performance. Our vision extends beyond mere problem-solving; we're committed to reshaping the future of manufacturing. By seamlessly integrating advanced AI technology with deep industry expertise, Axion Ray is paving the way for smarter, safer, and more efficient production processes across diverse sectors. Backed by leading investors, including Bessemer Venture Partners, Amplo, Boeing, and RTX Ventures, Axion is poised to lead the quality revolution in manufacturing. About the Role: We are seeking an experienced Director of Solutions Engineering to build, scale, and lead Axion’s global pre-sales Solutions Engineering (SE) function. You will define what exceptional technical selling looks like at Axion Ray: from executive discovery and outside-in value modeling to world-class demos and hands-on proofs of concept. You will partner with the broader sales and solutions organizations on strategic & enterprise opportunities ($100k-$2M+), engage executive stakeholders, and serve as a trusted advisor to engineering and quality executives at global manufacturers. Simultaneously, you will build the team, systems, and AI-enabled processes that allow us to scale, including defining repeatable playbooks, implementing automation and GPT-driven workflows, hiring and coaching top-tier Solutions Engineers, and continuously refining how we win. You are both: An expert technical seller who can & has won complex deals personally. A systems-oriented leader who builds scalable, repeatable excellence.

Requirements

7+ years in customer-facing Solutions Engineering / Sales Engineering in enterprise SaaS
3+ years successfully managing and scaling SE teams.
Proven track record hiring and onboarding high-performing SEs.
Demonstrated success leading complex enterprise opportunities with technical and executive stakeholders.
Strong understanding of SaaS sales cycles.
Ability to review and challenge account strategy based on sales stage and risk.
Analytical mindset with strong co-ownership of sales execution and forecasting.
Experience thriving in undefined, fast-growing startup environments.
Exceptional communication skills and executive presence.

Nice To Haves

Experience in manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, medical devices, or complex engineered products.
Background in AI/ML, NLP, or unstructured data analytics.
Experience selling into cloud-native engineering organizations.
Strong network for recruiting senior Solutions Engineers.
Clear and opinionated perspective on building high-impact SE organizations - including approaches you’ve learned from and evolved beyond.

Responsibilities

Build and Scale a High-Performing Team:
Design and run a rigorous, high-bar hiring process.
Hire, develop, and retain a world-class team of mission-driven Solutions Engineers
Define the structure and responsibilities of junior and senior SE roles.
Coach the team through complex enterprise opportunities ranging from $100K to $2M+ ARR.
Establish clear performance expectations, standards, and career growth paths.
Personally Drive Opportunities Forward:
You will remain hands-on in revenue generating activity, including:
Remain hands-on in high-impact revenue-generating activity, particularly in the most strategic and complex opportunities.
Personally lead or deeply support enterprise deals and executive engagements.
Carry strategic conversations with C-level and VP+ stakeholders.
Deliver outcome-driven executive demos tied to measurable business impact and strategic transformation initiatives.
Develop outside-in ROI and value models aligned to executive priorities.
Architect highly tailored executive narratives and presentation materials when required.
Provide on-site technical and strategic leadership in high-stakes engagements.
Build and deploy AI-enabled workflows (including GPTs and automation) to increase leverage, quality, and execution speed.
Train & Enable the Team
Define the gold standard for industry-specific demos at Axion Ray.
Architect repeatable playbooks for discovery, demos, proofs of concept, and value engineering.
Develop GPT-powered automations and internal tooling to drive scalability and consistency.
Run structured onboarding and ongoing training programs.
Provide direct coaching on live deals and executive interactions.