Account Solution Engineer, Higher Education

salesforce.com, inc.; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

Paid parental leave

401(k) program

Employee stock-purchasing program

Job summary

salesforce.com, inc. is seeking an Account Solution Engineer for Higher Education in Chicago, Illinois. This role focuses on driving innovation through technology, working closely with sales teams and educational institutions to optimize student life cycles and streamline administrative processes.

Candidates should have 7+ years of relevant experience and a degree in Computer Science. Attractive benefits and competitive salary offered.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of combined experience with Salesforce or CRM solutions focused on education.
• 5+ years in solution engineering or customer success.
• Strong understanding of education operations and student lifecycle management.

Responsibilities

• Lead the solution cycle and drive technical aspects of the sales cycle.
• Engage with educational institutions to understand their challenges.
• Support RFP responses and proposals ensuring alignment with institutional priorities.

Skills

Salesforce or other CRM solutions

Solution engineering

Communication skills

Technical acumen

Time-management skills

Education

Degree in Computer Science (B.S., M.S., or Ph.D.)

Tools

Salesforce Certifications

AI and Data Certifications

Job description

Account Solution Engineer, Higher Education

Want to drive innovation in education? Join Salesforce's Global Public Sector Solution Engineering team and help institutions modernize operations, enhance learner experiences, and improve engagement through cutting‑edge technology. As an Account Solution Engineer, you will collaborate with sales teams, product experts, and partners to develop tailored solutions for higher‑education institutions, showcasing how Salesforce’s platform can optimize the student life cycle, streamline administrative processes, and support long‑term transformation.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Solution Cycle – collaborate closely with account executives, product specialists, and partners to drive technical aspects of the sales cycle from discovery to close.
• Understand Institutional Needs – engage with educational institutions to deeply understand their challenges and strategic goals, aligning them with Salesforce solutions.
• Position Salesforce as a Strategic Partner – articulate how the platform and products, including Agentforce for Education, align with institutional initiatives. Prepare, build, and present tailored demonstrations.
• Apply Industry and Technical Expertise – translate education business processes into impactful technology solutions, differentiating Salesforce capabilities to technical and non‑technical stakeholders.
• Support RFP and Proposal Processes – lead the technical response to RFPs and RFIs, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities and demonstrating Salesforce’s value.
• Collaborate Across Teams – work effectively with account teams, solution specialists, professional services, and partners to align solutions with institutional needs.
• Stay Ahead of Industry Trends – continuously build expertise in education challenges and technology trends, incorporating insights into solution recommendations.
• Achieve Performance Goals – meet quarterly and annual objectives related to customer engagement, solution development, and revenue contribution.
• Invest in Professional Growth – participate in training, certifications, and mentorship programs to continuously enhance expertise.
• Drive Consumption & Value Realisation – support consumption and activation efforts, including account QBRs, health checks, and technical workshops to drive product adoption and reduce attrition risk.
• Consumption Estimation & Use Case Scoping – partner with account teams to define use cases, estimate credit consumption, and build consumption plans for AI and Data products.
• Agentforce & AI/Data Use Case Expertise – develop and present Agentforce and Data 360 Cloud use cases, including POCs, workshops, and technical deep dives that demonstrate AI‑powered transformation.

Qualifications

• Required: A degree in Computer Science (B.S., M.S., or Ph.D.).
• 7+ years of combined experience working with Salesforce or other CRM solutions, focused on education.
• 5+ years of experience in solution engineering, consulting, enterprise software delivery, or customer success.
• Artificial Intelligence and/or Data certifications, Salesforce‑preferred, related to generative AI and LLM concepts.
• Deep understanding of education operations, including student lifecycle management, academic operations, financial aid, student success initiatives, enrollment, and alumni relations.
• Strong technical acumen with experience configuring and demonstrating enterprise platforms in a sales or implementation context.
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills, capable of translating complex technical concepts into clear, value‑driven narratives for stakeholders at all levels.
• Proven ability to lead discovery sessions, understand institutional challenges, and craft tailored solutions that drive digital transformation.
• Experience with RFP and proposal processes, including developing responses aligned with institutional needs and Salesforce’s value proposition.
• Strong time‑management and prioritization skills, able to manage multiple engagements in a fast‑paced sales environment.
• Curiosity and passion for technology, with a desire to continuously learn and stay ahead of industry trends.
• Collaborative mindset, able to work cross‑functionally to deliver customer success.
• Open to travel for client meetings and industry events (approximately 40%).
• Preferred: Salesforce certifications such as Administrator, Education Cloud Consultant, Data 360 Cert, and Experience Cloud.
• Experience with Agentforce for Education, Salesforce Industries (Vlocity), OmniScript, or Industry Common Components is a plus.

Benefits

Competitive base salary, equity, and benefits including medical, dental, vision, mental‑health support, paid parental leave, life and disability insurance, 401(k), and an employee stock‑purchasing program.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Salesforce is an equal‑opportunity employer and maintains a policy of non‑discrimination with all employees and applicants for employment. We assess candidates solely on merit, competence, and qualifications, without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, transgender status, age, disability, veteran or marital status, political viewpoint, or other classes protected by law. This policy applies to all aspects of the employment relationship.