Solutions Engineer - US Commercial - Chicago

Cisco • Chicago, IL

4d

About The Position

Cisco is seeking a customer-focused technical sales professional with a strong Enterprise Networking background and experience in Data Center and Security. The Solutions Engineer provides technical information and guidance to customers and delivers outcomes using Cisco’s products and services. In a pre-sales role, the SE partners with Account Managers to present and demonstrate Cisco solutions, create bills of materials, and conduct proof-of-concept activities. The SE consults with customers, influences decisions, and designs solutions that support their desired business outcomes.

The role calls for strong technology aptitude, the ability to learn quickly and stay current, and interpersonal, presentation, and troubleshooting skills that inspire customer confidence. The SE contributes to account planning, develops cross-architecture expertise, leads solution conversations and demonstrations, and collaborates with internal teams and external partners to align technical strategies with customer objectives. Cloud, automation, and AI experience is a plus.

The position is based in Chicago, and candidates are required to live in or relocate to Chicago. The application window is expected to close on 11/08/2026. The posted starting salary range is $192,300 to $248,100, excluding incentive compensation, equity, and benefits. The posting also lists location-specific ranges for certain states and notes that ranges for quota-based sales roles include base pay and sales target incentive compensation.

Requirements

• At least 4 years of industry-related experience.
• BS/BA in Electrical Engineering or Computer Science, or relevant experience.
• Cisco product experience or relevant experience with key competitor offerings in the technology area of emphasis.
• Strong Enterprise Networking background, with Data Center and Security experience.
• Technology aptitude and ability to learn quickly and stay current.
• Interpersonal, presentation, and troubleshooting skills.
• Must live in or relocate to Chicago.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of Cisco solutions and networking fundamentals.
• Customer intimacy skills.
• Pre-sales experience.
• CCNP Enterprise certification.
• Cloud, automation, and AI experience.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to account planning to identify growth opportunities and align technical strategies with customer objectives.
• Build knowledge of Cisco’s portfolio and cross-architectural solutions and domains.
• Partner with technical executives to drive innovation and lead solution conversations.
• Understand customers’ business challenges and guide them toward portfolio solutions.
• Influence customers’ strategic priorities and lead cross-architecture designs.
• Plan and lead demand-generation and enablement campaigns.
• Examine underlying customer needs and promote cross-architecture solutions.
• Lead demonstrations of technical solutions addressing specific business challenges.
• Use competitive market insights to position and differentiate Cisco solutions.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external partners to refine strategic alignment and strengthen customer relationships.
• Motivate SE and extended sales teams to share knowledge and support structured educational initiatives.
• Implement adaptation strategies in response to changing market conditions and challenges.
• Partner with Account Managers in pre-sales technical activities, including customer presentations, technical demonstrations, bills of materials, and proof-of-concept activities.
• Consult with customers, influence decisions, and design solutions that support their desired outcomes.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance, subject to plan eligibility.
• 401(k) plan with Cisco matching contribution.
• Paid parental leave.
• Short- and long-term disability coverage.
• Basic life insurance.
• 10 paid holidays per full calendar year, plus one floating holiday for non-exempt employees.
• One paid day off for an employee’s birthday.
• Paid year-end holiday shutdown.
• Four paid days off for personal wellness, as determined by Cisco.
• Vacation time: non-exempt employees receive 16 days per full calendar year; exempt employees participate in a flexible vacation program with no defined usage limit, subject to availability and business limitations.
• 80 hours of sick time off provided on hire and each January 1, with up to 80 unused hours carried forward.
• Additional paid time away may be requested for critical or emergency family issues.
• Optional 10 paid volunteer days per full calendar year.
• Sales-plan employees earn performance-based incentive pay, subject to the applicable Cisco plan; quota-based incentive compensation has no cap.
• Employees may be eligible for Cisco restricted stock unit grants, which vest following continued employment for defined periods.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level