Remote Pre-Sales Systems Engineer jobs

About the Pre-Sales Systems Engineer role

What the work looks like

• Run technical discovery calls to map the prospect's current architecture, requirements and constraints.
• Deliver tailored product demonstrations and whiteboard sessions to engineers, architects and security teams.
• Design and manage proofs of concept with agreed success criteria in the customer's lab or cloud environment.
• Answer the technical sections of requests for proposal and complete customer security questionnaires.
• Produce solution designs, sizing and bills of materials that the account executive uses for the quote.

What employers ask for

• Hands-on networking, security, cloud or infrastructure background
• Product demonstration and technical presentation skills
• Proof-of-concept planning and execution
• Vendor certifications relevant to the product domain
• Scripting or API skills for demos and integrations
• Understanding of enterprise sales processes

Doing this job remotely

Demos and discovery calls are now commonly held by video, so much of the job is done from a home office. The role is usually tied to a sales territory, with travel for on-site workshops, proofs of concept and customer events. Maintaining a home lab or cloud demo environment is typically part of the setup.

Where it comes from and where it leads

Most arrive from hands-on roles such as network or systems administration, support engineering, implementation or consulting. The role leads to senior and principal systems engineer, management of a systems engineering team, or moves into product management, solutions architecture or sales.