Role Description

This is a full-time, hybrid role combining onsite and remote work. The Senior Presales Engineer serves as the technical leader within the presales organization, partnering with sales teams to architect and propose complex IT solutions across networking, security, and hybrid cloud technologies. This senior role requires deep technical expertise across multiple technology domains and the ability to lead solution design, build accurate Bills of Materials (BoMs), scope professional services engagements, and define managed services offerings. The Senior Presales Engineer acts as a trusted technical advisor to both customers and internal teams, ensuring proposed solutions align with customer business objectives while maintaining profitability and technical feasibility.

This role requires a consultative approach, strong leadership capabilities, and the ability to influence both technical and business stakeholders. The Senior Presales Engineer must balance technical excellence with commercial awareness, ensuring solutions are both innovative and practical.

Key Responsibilities:

Solution Design & Architecture

• Lead the design of complex, multi-vendor IT solutions spanning network infrastructure, security, collaboration, and hybrid cloud technologies
• Conduct comprehensive technical discovery sessions to understand customer business requirements, existing infrastructure, and future technology roadmap
• Develop detailed solution architectures that address customer requirements while optimizing for performance, security, scalability, and cost
• Perform technical assessments and audits of customer IT environments to identify gaps, risks, and opportunities
• Create high-level and low-level design documentation, network diagrams, and technical proposals using industry-standard tools

Presales Delivery

• Build accurate and detailed Bills of Materials (BoMs) for hardware, software, licensing, and support/maintenance
• Scope professional services engagements including project planning, resource allocation, timelines, and deliverables
• Define managed services offerings with detailed service descriptions, SLAs, pricing models, and operational requirements
• Develop technical proposals, Statements of Work (SOWs), and response documents for RFPs/RFIs
• Lead technical presentations, demonstrations, and proof-of-concept (POC) activities with customer stakeholders

Customer Engagement

• Serve as the primary technical point of contact during the presales cycle, building strong relationships with customer technical decision-makers
• Facilitate technical discussions with C-level executives, IT directors, network architects, and security teams
• Conduct whiteboard sessions to collaboratively design solutions and address technical objections
• Secure technical buy-in and commitment from all necessary stakeholders to achieve technical close on opportunities

Collaboration & Teamwork

• Collaborate closely with account managers, sales executives, and business development teams to drive opportunity progression
• Coordinate with engineering and project management teams to ensure seamless handoff and alignment between presales and delivery
• Partner with vendor representatives from Cisco, Fortinet, Microsoft, and other technology partners to leverage their expertise and resources
• Participate in solution review meetings to ensure technical accuracy and commercial viability of proposals

Leadership & Mentorship

• Provide technical mentorship and guidance to junior presales engineers and account managers
• Lead knowledge-sharing sessions to elevate the technical capabilities of the sales and presales organization
• Develop and maintain presales best practices, templates, and documentation
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of presales processes and methodologies

Business Development

• Identify and pursue expansion opportunities within existing customer accounts
• Contribute to achieving assigned revenue targets and quotas for the presales team
• Stay current with industry trends, emerging technologies, and competitive landscape to position solutions effectively
• Participate in industry events, vendor partner programs, and professional development activities

Required Technical Skills & Experience

Network Infrastructure

• Enterprise LAN/WAN design and implementation (campus, branch, data center networking)
• SD-WAN architecture and deployment (Cisco, Fortinet, Palo Alto)
• Core and access switching, advanced routing protocols (BGP, OSPF, EIGRP)
• Wireless infrastructure design including site surveys, RF planning, and enterprise WLAN deployment
• Network automation and programmability (APIs, Python, Ansible)

Security Architecture

• Next-generation firewalls (Cisco Firepower, Fortinet FortiGate, Palo Alto Networks)
• Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) and Security Service Edge (SSE) architecture
• Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) and software-defined perimeter solutions
• VPN technologies (site-to-site, remote access, SSL VPN)
• Email security, web security, and secure web gateway (SWG)
• Network access control (NAC), 802.1X, and identity services
• Intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS), threat intelligence, and security operations

Cloud & Hybrid Infrastructure

• Microsoft Azure infrastructure and services (networking, identity, security)
• Hybrid cloud connectivity (ExpressRoute, VPN Gateway, virtual WAN)
• Cloud security architecture (Microsoft Defender, Azure Firewall, cloud-native security)
• Multi-cloud networking and security design patterns

Collaboration Technologies

• Microsoft Teams, Microsoft 365 collaboration services
• Cisco Webex, Webex Calling, unified communications (UC)
• Contact center solutions and CCaaS platforms

Data Center Technologies

• Data center switching and routing (Cisco Nexus, ACI)
• Virtualization platforms (VMware vSphere, Hyper-V)
• Hyperconverged infrastructure (HCI) solutions (Nutanix)
• Network virtualization and software-defined networking (SDN)

Professional Certifications:

Required (must hold at least two of the following):

• Cisco CCNP Enterprise, CCNP Security, or CCIE (any track)
• Fortinet NSE 7 or NSE 8
• Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert or Microsoft 365 Certified: Enterprise Administrator Expert

Highly Preferred:

• Cisco Certified Specialist certifications (SD-WAN, Security Core, Wireless)
• Fortinet NSE 4 or higher (multiple tracks)
• Microsoft Certified: Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals or higher
• Palo Alto Networks Network Security Professional

Required Experience & Qualifications:

• 7+ years of experience in technical presales, solution architecture, or network/security engineering roles
• 5+ years working in a VAR, MSP, systems integrator, or technology consulting environment
• Proven track record of designing and delivering complex, multi-vendor IT solutions
• Demonstrated success in achieving presales revenue targets and driving technical close on opportunities
• Deep understanding of VAR business models including professional services and managed services
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience)

Required Skills & Competencies:

• Exceptional communication skills with ability to present complex technical concepts to diverse audiences
• Strong executive presence and ability to engage with C-level stakeholders
• Advanced whiteboarding and technical presentation skills
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving capabilities
• Strong commercial awareness with understanding of pricing, margins, and profitability
• Ability to manage multiple complex opportunities simultaneously
• Self-motivated with strong work ethic and sense of ownership
• Collaborative team player with proven leadership capabilities
• Adaptable and thrives in fast-paced, dynamic environments
• Detail-oriented while maintaining focus on strategic objectives
• Proficiency with CRM systems (Salesforce, HubSpot, etc.) and technical design tools (Visio, Lucidchart, etc.)

What Can You Expect in Return :

• An organization that puts a high value on family.
• A well-documented onboarding plan.
• A culture that rewards performance and client outcomes.
• Continuous learning opportunities and professional development.
• Full benefits package.

We value grit, humility, curiosity, and a strong client-first approach. Candidates who share these values and meet the Senior Solutions Engineer qualifications will find strong opportunities for growth and success at Katalyst.

Katalyst is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, physical or mental disability, or age.