
Sr. Sales Engineer - Network Solutions
Black Box · United States
- Hybrid
- Full-time
- $140,000 / year
- United States
Job highlights
- Lead enterprise networking solutions from discovery to close.
- Design, propose, and present complex network architectures.
- Independently produce technical and commercial deliverables.
- Collaborate with sales and delivery teams effectively.
- Mentor junior engineers and contribute to team growth.
About the role
About the Role
Black Box is looking for a Pre-Sales Solution Engineer who can do more than talk tech – we need someone who owns deals, builds proposals, and earns the trust of sales teams and customers alike.
You will be the technical leader on enterprise networking opportunities across LAN, WAN, Wi-Fi, SD-Branch. You will work directly with Account Managers and customers to design solutions, create proposals, and present compelling technical narratives that win business.
This is a deliverable-driven role. You will independently produce BOMs, cost models, SOWs, and technical proposals. You will own deals end-to-end from technical discovery through customer presentation. If you thrive on both the engineering and the commercial side of pre-sales, this role is built for you.
What You Will Do
- Own deals end-to-end.
- Lead technical discovery, solution design, proposal creation, and customer presentations for enterprise networking pursuits.
- Create validated BOMs, cost analyses, and SOWs independently – this is not a role where someone else builds your deliverables.
- Respond to complex RFPs/RFIs with accurate and compelling content within tight timelines.
- Collaborate with pricing and delivery teams to validate technical and operational scope.
Be the Trusted Technical Advisor
- Lead customer workshops, technical briefings, and whiteboarding sessions.
- Present to CIO/CTO-level stakeholders with confidence and executive presence.
- Conduct live product demonstrations and proof-of-concept engagements.
- Translate business outcomes into architectures that win – not just technically correct designs, but commercially compelling solutions.
Design & Innovate
- Architect enterprise network solutions with OEM domain expertise in the enterprise networking ecosystem (Cisco, Juniper, Fortinet, Aruba, Palo Alto, or equivalent).
- Build accurate BOMs and validated designs using OEM and partner quoting and configuration portals; ability to navigate deal registration, program compliance, and incentive structures to shape commercially competitive proposals.
- Build repeatable solution templates for key verticals (Healthcare, Finance, Industrial, Public Sector).
- Contribute to offering development based on what you see in the field.
Enable the Team
- Mentor junior SEs and contribute to onboarding of new team members.
- Deliver internal enablement sessions on solutions, tools, and best practices.
- Track competitive landscape and sharpen win themes.
What We Are Looking For
- 7–10+ years in enterprise networking pre-sales, solution consulting, or technical sales.
- Experience in a System Integrator, VAR, or IT services environment is strongly preferred – you understand multi-vendor solutioning, commercial deliverables, and the full pursuit lifecycle.
- Proven track record of independently owning $1M+ enterprise solution pursuits from discovery through close.
- Experience producing BOMs, proposals, SOWs, and cost models – you have built these yourself, not just reviewed them.
- Strong knowledge of LAN/Wi-Fi/SD-WAN, NAC, network security, and hybrid cloud networking.
- Experience with multi-vendor architectures and direct, hands-on use of OEM and partner quoting and configuration portals to produce BOMs and designs independently.
- Executive presence – you are comfortable presenting to and being challenged by C-level stakeholders.
Required Certifications
At Least One Active Professional Certification Is Required
- CCNP, JNCIP, NSE 4+, or equivalent (CCIE/JNCIE-level is a plus but not required)
- ITIL Foundation or PMP is a plus
What Sets You Apart
- You describe your SE work in terms of deals won and deliverables produced, not just technologies you know.
- When something goes wrong on a proposal, your instinct is to own it, fix it, and tell your manager and the AM what changed so it does not happen again – not to explain who else should have caught it.
- You are comfortable operating with incomplete information – you do not wait for a detailed brief to start work, you flag gaps to the AM or manager early, document your assumptions in writing, and keep deals moving forward without hand-holding.
- Account Managers request you by name on their deals because you show up prepared, advance the technical narrative in front of the customer, and make them more successful commercially – not just technically correct.
- You can whiteboard a solution, build the BOM, write the proposal section, and present it to the customer – all in the same week.
About Black Box
Black Box is a global leader in digital infrastructure solutions, delivering network and system integration, managed services, and technology products to Fortune 100 and top global enterprises. With a presence across the United States, Europe, India, Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and Latin America, Black Box serves businesses across financial services, technology, healthcare, retail, public services, and manufacturing.
Supported by a global team of around 3,600 professionals and strategic partnerships with leading technology providers, Black Box delivers end-to-end solutions in network integration, digital connectivity infrastructure, data center buildouts, modern workplace solutions, and cybersecurity. Its Technology Products portfolio enhances business operations with cutting-edge solutions in AV, IoT, KVM, Networking, Infrastructure, and Cables.
Black Box's recent achievements showcase phenomenal growth that aims to reach a $2 billion milestone in the next three years.
Key skills/competency
- Sales Engineering
- Network Solutions
- Enterprise Networking
- Solution Design
- Technical Sales
- Proposal Development
- Customer Presentations
- BOM Creation
- RFP/RFI Response
- Cisco OR Juniper OR Fortinet OR Aruba OR Palo Alto
Skills & topics
- Sales Engineer
- Network Solutions
- Enterprise Networking
- Solution Design
- Technical Sales
- Pre-Sales
- BOM
- SOW
- RFP Response
- Cisco
- Juniper
- Fortinet
- Aruba
- Palo Alto
- LAN
- WAN
- Wi-Fi
- SD-WAN
- Network Security
- System Integrator
- VAR
- IT Services
How to get hired
- Tailor your resume: Highlight your 7-10+ years of enterprise networking pre-sales experience, focusing on BOMs, SOWs, and proposal ownership.
- Showcase deal ownership: Emphasize your track record of independently managing $1M+ pursuits and your ability to produce deliverables yourself.
- Demonstrate technical breadth: Clearly list your expertise in LAN/Wi-Fi/SD-WAN, network security, and multi-vendor architectures.
- Prepare for technical depth: Be ready to discuss specific OEM solutions and your experience with quoting tools during interviews.
- Highlight executive presence: Practice presenting technical solutions to C-level stakeholders and articulating business outcomes.
Technical preparation
Behavioral questions
Frequently asked questions
- What are the key technical skills required for the Sr. Sales Engineer role at Black Box?
- The Sr. Sales Engineer role at Black Box requires a strong understanding of enterprise networking, including LAN, WAN, Wi-Fi, SD-Branch, NAC, and network security. You should also have experience with multi-vendor architectures and proficiency with OEM quoting and configuration portals. Experience with Cisco, Juniper, Fortinet, Aruba, or Palo Alto is highly valued.
- What is the expected level of experience for a successful applicant for the Sr. Sales Engineer position at Black Box?
- Black Box is looking for candidates with 7-10+ years of experience in enterprise networking pre-sales, solution consulting, or technical sales. Experience within a System Integrator, VAR, or IT services environment is strongly preferred, along with a proven ability to independently own and close large solution pursuits.
- Are there any required certifications for the Sr. Sales Engineer job at Black Box?
- Yes, at least one active professional certification is required, such as CCNP, JNCIP, or NSE 4+. While not strictly required, certifications like CCIE/JNCIE, ITIL Foundation, or PMP are considered a plus for the Sr. Sales Engineer role.
- How does Black Box value the commercial aspect in the Sr. Sales Engineer role?
- Black Box highly values the commercial side of pre-sales. The Sr. Sales Engineer is expected to not only design technically sound solutions but also to build commercially compelling proposals, cost models, and SOWs that win business. Translating business outcomes into profitable architectures is a key expectation.
- What makes a candidate stand out for the Sr. Sales Engineer role at Black Box?
- Candidates who stand out are those who take full ownership of deals and deliverables, operate effectively with incomplete information, and are requested by Account Managers by name due to their proactive support. The ability to handle the entire technical sales cycle—from whiteboarding solutions to building BOMs and presenting to customers—within a week is also a significant differentiator.
- What is the career growth potential for a Sr. Sales Engineer at Black Box?
- While specific career paths are not detailed, the role offers opportunities for growth by mentoring junior SEs, contributing to offering development, and working on large-scale enterprise solutions. Black Box's stated goal of reaching a $2 billion milestone suggests a dynamic environment with potential for advancement.