Job Title:
Pre-Sales Solution Engineer – Enterprise Networking
Location:
Reading, United Kingdom
Role Summary:
The US-based Pre-Sales Solution Engineer is a highly experienced, customer-facing technical leader within the Enterprise Networking (EN) practice at Black Box. This role is responsible for owning the pre-sales technical strategy for high-value and complex opportunities across Core EN technologies including LAN, WAN, Wi-Fi, SD-Branch, and Network Security.
This seasoned engineer works closely with Vertical Sales teams, Offering Managers, Partner Alliance Managers, and customers to design scalable, competitive, and differentiated solutions. The engineer not only supports strategic pursuits but also contributes to the evolution of our go-to-market offerings and field readiness.
Core Responsibilities:
Client-Facing Pre-Sales Support:
1. Lead discovery sessions, technical workshops, and strategic client briefings.
2. Translate customer business outcomes into technical architectures.
3. Influence and shape customer roadmaps and architecture standards.
Solution Architecture & Innovation:
4. Architect robust enterprise network solutions using vendor best practices.
5. Design repeatable solution templates and vertical-specific architectures.
6. Participate in cross-domain solutioning, integrating network with cloud, security, or collaboration stacks.
Proposal Development & Deal Shaping:
7. Create high-impact technical proposals, diagrams, and cost models.
8. Respond to complex RFPs/RFIs with accurate and compelling content.
9. Collaborate with pricing and delivery to validate technical and operational scope.
Technical Presentations & Demonstrations:
10. Deliver compelling solution presentations to technical and executive audiences.
11. Lead or support technical demonstrations, whiteboarding sessions, and proof-of-concepts.
12. Represent Black Box as a trusted advisor in customer briefings and strategy sessions.
Strategic Alignment & Advisory:
13. Work with Offerings Managers to co-develop new offerings and enhance existing ones based on field feedback.
14. Coordinate with Alliance Managers to understand OEM roadmap and incorporate innovation into proposals.
15. Act as a technical advisor to Sales Leaders and Business Unit VPs.
Internal Enablement & Evangelism:
16. Mentor junior SEs and support onboarding efforts.
17. Conduct solution walkthroughs, internal webinars, and SE playbook development.
18. Drive internal adoption of tools, templates, and best practices.
Market Intelligence:
19. Track competitive trends and help refine win themes and technical differentiators.
20. Represent Black Box in customer advisory councils and vendor working groups.
Relationships & Dependencies:
StakeholderRole & Engagement
Product/Offerings Manager Align on solution components, pricing tools, documentation kits Partner Alliance Manager Sync on OEM design rules, roadmap support, enablement sessions Account Manager/BDM Support opportunity strategy, customer technical needs, proposal presentation Project Manager Scope validation, post-sale handoff planning Vertical Sales Leader Collaborate on pursuit strategies and vertical value propositions
Required Skills & Experience:
21. 10+ years of experience in enterprise networking pre-sales or solution consulting
22. Proven experience leading $1M+ enterprise solution pursuits
23. Strong understanding of multi-vendor architectures including Cisco, Juniper, Fortinet, Aruba, Palo Alto
24. Expertise in LAN/Wi-Fi/SD-WAN, NAC, segmentation, and hybrid cloud networking
25. Mastery of Visio, proposal writing, and pricing coordination
26. Executive presence with ability to present to CIO/CTO levels
27. Demonstrated ability to lead solution presentations and conduct live or virtual technical demos
Preferred Certifications:
28. CCNP/CCIE, JNCIP/JNCIE, NSE 4/5/7, or equivalent
29. ITIL Foundation or PMP (for cross-functional coordination)
This role is mission-critical for scaling Black Box’s Enterprise Networking business. It requires both deep technical skills and high business acumen to align cross-functional teams and deliver compelling solutions that win strategic business and drive innovation in the field.