Principal Presales Engineer
Twilio · United States
- Hybrid
- Full-time
- $173,590 / year
- United States
Job highlights
- Lead technical pre-sales for customer accounts.
- Propose architectures and demonstrate product capabilities.
- Build trusted advisor relationships with customers.
- Provide leadership within the Solutions Engineering team.
- Requires 8+ years in solutions engineering.
About the role
About Twilio
At Twilio, we e shaping the future of communications, all from the comfort of our homes. We deliver innovative solutions to hundreds of thousands of businesses and empower millions of developers worldwide to craft personalized customer experiences. Our dedication to remote-first work, and strong culture of connection and global inclusion means that no matter your location, you e part of a vibrant team with diverse experiences making a global impact each day. As we continue to revolutionize how the world interacts, we e acquiring new skills and experiences that make work feel truly rewarding. Your career at Twilio is in your hands. We use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to help make our hiring process efficient. That said, every hiring decision is made by real Twilions!
See yourself at Twilio
Join the team as our next Principal Presales Engineer on Twilio uevo New Business Communication team!
About The Job
This position is needed to enable our customers to build the future of communications. The Twilio Principal Presales Engineer role is a critical part of the sales team, responsible for delivering the technical win for customer accounts. They lead the technical pre-sales relationship, propose technical architectures, demonstrate the product, anticipates concerns, and offers creative solutions. They build customer trust in Twilio solutions. Principal Presales Engineers should be comfortable engaging a CEO or sketching out an API flow on a whiteboard with customer software engineers. As a Principal Presales Engineer, you will be fully autonomous. You will be capable of driving the technical side of all but the most complex opportunities independently. Furthermore, you will provide leadership and deal support within the Solutions Engineer organization, driving the design and execution of medium to large projects with feedback from other engineers, participating in architectural decisions on the team, and coordinating with other Twilio teams such as product.
Responsibilities
- Partner with Account Executives to execute pre-sales activities including opportunity qualification, demonstrations, Proof-of-Concept, RFP, design documentation, technical presentations and enablement sessions
- Lead technical discovery sessions with customers to uncover their needs and difficulties, demonstrating our capability to facilitate their success and address their challenges effectively
- Build and present powerful and complex presentations and product demos to help showcase the capabilities of Twilio Communications Products
- Establish yourself as a trusted advisor to our customers, introducing innovative solutions and architectures that catalyze and propel innovation
- Contribute to the broader Solutions Engineering community through knowledge sharing, constructing demonstration materials, and creating reusable presentations
Qualifications
Twilio values diverse experiences from all kinds of industries, and we encourage everyone who meets the required qualifications to apply. If your career is just starting or hasn't followed a traditional path, don't let that stop you from considering Twilio. We are always looking for people who will bring something new to the table!
- Minimum of 8 years in a solutions engineering (presales) role, specializing in the sale of complex technical products, or 10+ years of professional experience supporting technical products, along with customer-facing experience, particularly in delivery or consulting.
- Excellent communicator and presenter able to gain audience confidence
- An engaging storyteller - you can gain audience confidence and communicate complex topics to multiple levels of audience.
- Ability to build a deep understanding of a customer uevo needs and guide them to a technical solution
- Customer focused problem solver, adept at striking the balance between crafting innovative technical solutions and prioritizing the customer's best interests.
- Excellent time management and prioritization skills, and ability to handle competing priorities in a fast-paced environment
- Previous software development experience in one or more of the following areas: Backend (Java, C#, Node.js, Python, PHP), Web development (JavaScript, HTML/CSS, frontend frameworks - React, Vue.js, Angular), Building with REST APIs
- Bachelors and/or Masters degree in a technical discipline (Engineering, Mathematics, Computer Science,) or equivalent practical experiences
Desired
- Experience with new business accounts and evangelizing new use cases and technology
- Familiarity with cloud platforms (Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure) and cloud application architecture.
- Previous experience in Telecom, SIP, Contact Center, or Security
- Experience with sales methodologies
Location
This role will be remote, but is not eligible to be hired in CT, NJ, NY, WA, PA or the surrounding areas of San Francisco, CA, Oakland, CA, or San Jose, CA
Travel
We prioritize connection and opportunities to build relationships with our customers and each other. For this role, approximately 25% travel is anticipated to help you connect in-person in a meaningful way.
What We Offer
Working at Twilio offers many benefits, including competitive pay, generous time off, ample parental and wellness leave, healthcare, a retirement savings program, and much more. Offerings vary by location.
Compensation
Please note this role is open to candidates outside of California, Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Vermont, Washington D.C., and Washington State. The information below is provided for candidates hired in those locations only. The estimated pay ranges for this role are as follows: Based in Colorado, Hawaii, Minnesota or Vermont : $138,872.00- $173,590.00. Based in Washington D.C., Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts or California (outside of the San Francisco Bay Area): $146,592.00 - $183,240.00. Based in New York, New Jersey, Washington State, or the San Francisco Bay area, California: $154,304.00 - $192,880.00. This role may be eligible to participate in Twilio uevo equity plan. All roles are generally eligible for the following benefits: health care insurance, 401(k) retirement account, paid sick time, paid personal time off, paid parental leave. This role is eligible to earn commissions. The successful candidate uevo starting salary will be determined based on permissible, non-discriminatory factors such as skills, experience, and geographic location.
Application deadline information
Applications for this role are intended to be accepted until July 19, 2026 but may change based on business needs.
Twilio thinks big. Do you?
We like to solve problems, take initiative, pitch in when needed, and are always up for trying new things. That's why we seek out colleagues who embody our values — something we call Twilio Magic. Additionally, we empower employees to build positive change in their communities by supporting their volunteering and donation efforts. So, if you're ready to unleash your full potential, do your best work, and be the best version of yourself, apply now! If this role isn't what you're looking for, please consider other open positions.
Twilio is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, reproductive health decisions, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, genetic information, political views or activity, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local law. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act. Additionally, Twilio participates in the E-Verify program in certain locations, as required by law.
Key skills/competency
- Principal Presales Engineer
- Solutions Engineering
- Technical Sales
- API Architecture
- Customer Relationship Management
- Product Demonstrations
- Technical Presentations
- Software Development
- Cloud Platforms
- Telecom Communications
Skills & topics
- Principal Presales Engineer
- Solutions Engineering
- Technical Sales
- Presales
- API
- Communications
- Cloud
- Customer Solutions
- Sales Engineering
- Twilio
How to get hired
- Customize your resume: Highlight your 8+ years in solutions engineering, technical sales, and API development.
- Showcase communication skills: Emphasize your ability to present complex topics and build customer trust.
- Demonstrate problem-solving: Provide examples of crafting innovative technical solutions for customer needs.
- Research Twilio: Understand their mission, values, and focus on communications technology.
- Prepare for technical interviews: Be ready to discuss API flows and architectural designs.
Technical preparation
Behavioral questions
Frequently asked questions
- What is the typical career path for a Principal Presales Engineer at Twilio?
- As a Principal Presales Engineer at Twilio, you'll be empowered to drive technical wins autonomously. You'll also have opportunities to provide leadership and deal support within the Solutions Engineer organization, participate in architectural decisions, and coordinate with product teams. Career growth often involves deepening expertise, mentoring junior engineers, or moving into more senior technical leadership roles.
- What are the key technical skills required for the Principal Presales Engineer role at Twilio?
- The role requires a strong foundation in solutions engineering (presales), with at least 8 years of experience. Key technical skills include deep understanding of customer communication needs, ability to propose technical architectures, demonstrate complex products, and a background in software development (Backend, Web, REST APIs). Familiarity with cloud platforms like AWS, Google Cloud, and Azure is also beneficial.
- How does Twilio support remote employees in the Principal Presales Engineer role?
- Twilio is a remote-first company with a strong culture of connection and global inclusion. While this role is remote, it involves approximately 25% travel for building relationships. Twilio offers competitive benefits and resources to support remote employees, ensuring they feel part of a vibrant and impactful team.
- What kind of customer interactions can I expect as a Principal Presales Engineer at Twilio?
- As a Principal Presales Engineer, you'll engage with a wide range of stakeholders, from CEOs to software engineers. You'll lead technical discovery sessions, present complex solutions, and act as a trusted advisor. The role demands comfort in explaining technical concepts clearly and building confidence across different audience levels.
- Does Twilio consider candidates without a traditional computer science degree for the Principal Presales Engineer position?
- Yes, Twilio values diverse experiences and encourages applications from individuals with non-traditional paths. While a technical degree is listed as a qualification, equivalent practical experience in engineering, mathematics, or computer science is accepted. They are always looking for people who bring something new to the table.
- What is the application deadline for the Principal Presales Engineer role at Twilio?
- Applications for this Principal Presales Engineer role are intended to be accepted until July 19, 2026, though this date may change based on business needs. It's advisable to apply as soon as possible if you are interested in the position.