Solutions Engineer - SLED (Northern California)

Cisco • San Jose, CA

2d • $212,200 - $268,100 • Onsite

About The Position

As a Solutions Engineer on the NorCal SLED team, your core mission encompasses five key strategic pillars: Trusted Technical Advisory & Customer Advocacy: Build and cultivate deep technical relationships with public sector IT leaders, serving as their primary advocate, technology strategist, and trusted advisor. Strategic Architecture & Opportunity Definition: Identify customer challenges and define cross-architectural solution options that directly align with public sector business priorities, mission goals, and operational outcomes. High-Impact Demonstrations & POC Execution: Collaborate with customers and partners to deliver compelling proof-of-concepts (POCs), proof-of-value engagements, and live demonstrations showcasing Cisco’s portfolio value. Technical Account Planning & Deal Strategy: Develop and execute multi-year technical account plans in lockstep with Account Executives, directly shaping overall territory strategy and deal progression. Adoption, Operational Success & Partner Enablement: Drive continuous solution adoption and long-term customer operational success by mobilizing internal specialist engineering teams and regional partner communities.

Requirements

• 5+ years of related technical pre-sales, systems engineering, or technical consulting experience in enterprise or public sector environments.
• Strong hands-on technical expertise across core Cisco architectures (Enterprise Networking, Switching, Wireless, Routing, Data Center, or Cybersecurity) or relevant competitor platforms.
• Proven pre-sales track record with demonstrated ability to translate complex technical solutions into measurable business, mission, and operational value.
• Demonstrated experience leading customer-facing architectural presentations, technical whiteboarding, and solution validations.
• Must reside in or relocate to Northern California with the willingness and ability to travel locally for customer meetings and partner events.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Information Technology, or related technical field (or equivalent practical experience).
• Professional or Expert-level certifications (e.g., CCIE, CCNP, AWS Certified Solutions Architect, CISSP, or equivalent).
• Familiarity with SLED public sector procurement cycles, E-Rate funding, state/local contracts, and education/government IT compliance frameworks.
• Conversant in AI infrastructure, modern Collaboration, SDN, full-stack observability, and a passionate adopter of AI productivity tools.
• Strong business acumen with proven capability to frame technical offerings around student outcomes, citizen services, and public safety impact.

Responsibilities

• Build and cultivate deep technical relationships with public sector IT leaders, serving as their primary advocate, technology strategist, and trusted advisor.
• Identify customer challenges and define cross-architectural solution options that directly align with public sector business priorities, mission goals, and operational outcomes.
• Collaborate with customers and partners to deliver compelling proof-of-concepts (POCs), proof-of-value engagements, and live demonstrations showcasing Cisco’s portfolio value.
• Develop and execute multi-year technical account plans in lockstep with Account Executives, directly shaping overall territory strategy and deal progression.
• Drive continuous solution adoption and long-term customer operational success by mobilizing internal specialist engineering teams and regional partner communities.

Benefits

• medical, dental and vision insurance
• a 401(k) plan with a Cisco matching contribution
• paid parental leave
• short and long-term disability coverage
• basic life insurance
• grants of Cisco restricted stock units
• 10 paid holidays per full calendar year, plus 1 floating holiday for non-exempt employees
• 1 paid day off for employee’s birthday, paid year-end holiday shutdown, and 4 paid days off for personal wellness determined by Cisco
• 16 days of paid vacation time per full calendar year, accrued at rate of 4.92 hours per pay period for full-time employees (non-exempt)
• flexible vacation time off program (exempt)
• 80 hours of sick time off provided on hire date and each January 1st thereafter, and up to 80 hours of unused sick time carried forward from one calendar year to the next
• Additional paid time away may be requested to deal with critical or emergency issues for family members
• Optional 10 paid days per full calendar year to volunteer
• annual bonuses (for non-sales roles)
• performance-based incentive pay (for sales roles)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Associate degree