Consultant, Sales Engineer

As the global leader in high-speed connectivity, Ciena is committed to a people-first approach. Our teams enjoy a culture focused on prioritizing a flexible work environment that empowers individual growth, well-being, and belonging. We’re a technology company that leads with our humanity—driving our business priorities alongside meaningful social, community, and societal impact.

We are seeking a Consultant, Sales Engineer as the customer facing, technical resource supporting Tier1/Tier2 Service Provider for the United States. The ideal candidate requires a strong technical background with an understanding of optical products, routing/switching products and customer applications. In addition, the candidate should possess the ability to position Ciena’s leadership in networking hardware and software solutions as well as how Ciena’s offerings differentiate against the competition. Candidate must be in the United States.

How You Will Contribute:

• Will work with both internal and external organizations and stakeholders to drive solutions for our customers. You’ll also perform technical oversight, including on-site customer engagements and support customer and internal architectural discussions and requirements.
• Play a lead role in producing written proposals, network engineering designs/documentation as well as quoting solutions and actively consult with customers on best practices and how to incorporate Ciena’s technology into their networks.
• Assist in the preparation of quotes, RFx’s responses and forecasts and collect and assist in the assessment of new product features as well as manage and track customer requests and help coordinate sales activities.
• Be able to create, communicate and articulate the value of solutions to customers.
• Understand the customers current network, software applications and architecture.
• Work with both internal and external organizations to drive solutions for our customers.
• Serve as a customer-facing primary contact for advanced technical issues.
• Ability to understand network architectures and their building blocks.
• Utilize Ciena’s design and modeling tools to model optical network architectures.
• Collect and assist in assessment of new product features.
• Lead Customer Product and Technology solution discussions and presentation.
• Lead the transition of customers from end-of life products to other Ciena solutions.
• Plan and support product certification, acceptance testing, and network introduction activities.
• Make independent decisions on routine technical activities in accordance with company policy and procedures.
• Travel (~30-to-40%) to customers sites, R&D locations and technical conferences for customer engagements, technical discussions and presentations.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Must Haves:

• Highly motivated, with strong interpersonal skills and ability to handle competing priorities.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to influence stakeholders to deliver objectives.
• Ability to prioritize, organize, and operate in fast-paced environments.
• Expert knowledge in positioning, designing, engineering, and planning of Layer 0/1 networks and services.
• Demonstrable knowledge in positioning, designing, engineering, and planning of Layer 2/3 networks and services.
• Experience working with engineering organizations to articulate technical concepts for end customers.
• Expertise in positioning NMS systems as key elements for enabling automated networks.
• Building network cost models that drive optimization of network designs.
• Construction of product feature / price analysis spreadsheets
• Excellent presentation and communication skills.
• Sales opportunity and quote tool experience a plus
• Problem solving and communication skills
• Time management skills: ability to plan, prioritize, execute & follow-up within a timely manner
• Professionalism in attitude, conduct, and appearance
• Ability to build strong customer relationships and support an overall sales strategy
• Technical background and desire to learn new technologies
• Must be able to communicate and work with Ciena engineering organizations and articulate the technical concepts and design to our customers.
• Excellent organizational skills due to dynamic nature of activities
• Superior verbal and written communication skills
• Bachelor’s Degree (CS, EE), or equivalent experience, required
• 10+ years telecommunications / industry experience

The annual total target compensation pay range for this position is $181,400 - $289,800 USD.  This includes both base and incentive compensation.

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At Ciena, we are committed to building and fostering an environment in which our employees feel respected, valued, and heard.  Ciena values the diversity of its workforce and respects its employees as individuals. We do not tolerate any form of discrimination.

Ciena is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status.

If contacted in relation to a job opportunity, please advise Ciena of any accommodation measures you may require.