Richardson, TX - Salary $110-$140K

Job Brief

The Senior Sales Engineer is a recognized expert in optical networking, advanced software solutions, and managed services. This senior-level role requires deep technical leadership, the ability to architect complex multi-vendor networks, and the experience to guide customers at an executive and engineering level throughout the full sales lifecycle. This includes positioning industry-leading capabilities in multi-vendor optical networking, network automation, lifecycle management, and managed services. This role is critical in positioning our capabilities, evaluating customer requirements, designing complex network architectures, sizing software solutions, performing product demonstrations, and building customer confidence throughout the sales cycle.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary technical authority for optical networking, software solutions, and managed services.
• Lead technical strategy and solution development for high-value customer opportunities.
• Own the technical direction and architecture of complex optical and software-driven network designs.
• Collaborate with sales teams to position our 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.
• Provide senior-level guidance on incorporating managed services into customer solutions.
• 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.
• Lead technical discussions with customers, translating business needs into technical solutions and guiding them through design decisions with clarity and confidence.
• Act as a trusted advisor, offering unbiased consultation across multiple vendor solutions to ensure the best technical and business fit.
• Take ownership of the planning, design, and operation of customer transport 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 architect complex, multi-vendor optical network designs, ensuring alignment with customer technical, operational, and business strategies.
• Develop compelling demonstrations or POC’s and deliver over web conference or live meetings
• Drive solution strategy across optical transport, software automation platforms, and managed services to deliver end-to-end value.
• Win the confidence of colleagues and client prospects as an expert technical resource
• Support sales in pricing, proposing, and SOW creation
• Interface with product, engineering, and implementation teams to ensure solution alignment.
• 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.
• Stay current with industry trends and emerging technologies to provide strategic guidance and innovative recommendations.

Requirements

• Minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience
• Preferred candidates to have direct experience supporting or selling OEM optical/networking products.
• Proven ability to operate as a senior technical advisor for optical networking, software systems, and managed service offerings.
• Demonstrated leadership in developing end-to-end architectures integrating optical transport, automation software, and service-based operational models.
• Expert-level knowledge of Optical Fiber Principles, including optical fiber transmission, modes, attenuation, dispersion, and signal integrity
• Expert-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 vendor tools to perform link budget analysis to optimize signal strength and ensure reliable communication over optical links
• Expert-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
• Expert-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
• Strong knowledge of Layer 2/3 networking, including protocols such as OSPF, BGP, MPLS, and EVPN.
• 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.
• Ability to influence customer technical strategy through expert-level consultation.
• Excellent written and verbal skills with the ability to explain complex topics to varied audiences.
• 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
• Ability to accurately follow documented procedures
• Aptitude to learn new technologies as they are incorporated into the system
• Optical Networking: Expert-level knowledge of optical products and design principles; fundamental understanding of L2/L3 packet network services.
• Extensive experience designing and presenting complex network architectures to both technical and executive stakeholders.
• Senior-level proficiency with Network Management Systems, automation platforms, and software-driven operational models.
• Deep understanding of managed services frameworks, including operational workflows, SLAs, lifecycle management, and service economics.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills to engage technical and business stakeholders.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced, customer-focused environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in optical networking or advanced network architecture roles.
• History of serving as a senior technical lead, principal engineer, or subject-matter expert (SME).
• 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.