Manager, Sales Engineering

Proofpoint; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Proofpoint is seeking an experienced Sales Engineering Manager to lead a fast-growing SEM team serving Enterprise opportunities in the Southeast US. You’ll coach, mentor, and empower regional Field Sales Engineers, driving engagement with AMs and key accounts.

You’ll travel 25–75% and partner with Recruiting, HR, and cross-functional groups to attract top talent, ensure career growth, and deliver exceptional customer experiences while advancing Proofpoint’s cybersecurity leadership.

Qualifications

• 2+ years leading sales engineering teams in Cybersecurity or related field.
• Strong background in cyber-security such as cloud security, network security or incident response.
• Proven mentoring and developing team members for success.
• Solid sales acumen to drive new customer sales and add-on revenue.
• Lead-from-the-front, hands-on technical approach in discussions with customers.
• Thrives in a fast-paced, high-energy environment and can work independently.

Responsibilities

• Coach and enable a team of Field Sales Engineers.
• Set shared goals and establish mentoring relationships.
• Ramp newer members on engagements, training, and relationships with AMs.
• Develop team to achieve career goals at Proofpoint.
• Handle escalations and customer challenges.
• Partner with Recruiting and HR to attract and retain top talent.

Skills

Leadership

Sales engineering

Cybersecurity

Mentoring

Sales acumen

Executive communication

Education

Bachelor’s or advanced degree in relevant field

Job description

Georgia

Florida

North Carolina

South Carolina

Tennessee

Full time

R14633

About Us:

Proofpoint is a global leader in human- and agent-centric cybersecurity. We protect how people, data, and AI agents connect across email, cloud, and collaboration tools. Over 80 of the Fortune 100, 10,000 large enterprises, and millions of smaller organizations trust Proofpoint to stop threats, prevent data loss, and build resilience across their people and AI workflows. Our mission is simple: safeguard the digital world and empower people to work securely and confidently. Join us in our pursuit to defend data and protect people.

How We Work:

At Proofpoint you’ll be part of a global team that breaks barriers to redefine cybersecurity guided by our BRAVE core values:

Bold in how we dream and innovate

Responsive to feedback, challenges and opportunities

Accountable for results and best in class outcomes

Visionary in future focused problem-solving

Exceptional in execution and impact

The Role and the Team

Proofpoint is looking for an experienced Sales Engineering Manager (SEM) to lead a fast growing team of sales engineers focused on Enterprise opportunities in the South Eastern US. Our SEMs lead from the front, are customer facing, are hands on technical, and focused on enabling and empowering their teams to be successful. Candidates should have experience managing sales engineering teams, prior experience as a sales engineer, and a track record of being involved in complex customer deals. We prefer a background in cyber-security, cloud security, or risk & governance.

Candidates for this role should be located in Georgia, Tennessee, the Carolinas or Northern Florida.

• You will coach, enable and empower a team of experienced Field Sales Engineers:

• Strengthen the team by setting shared goals, information sharing, and establishing mentoring relationships

• Ramp newer members of the team on rules of engagement, building a relationship with their AMs, technical training, and showing them how to become self-sufficient

• Develop and mentor your team to help them achieve their career goals, ideally here at Proofpoint

• Active part of escalations and resolving customer challenges

• Partner with Recruiting and HR to attract, hire and retain top talent to support our rapid growth

• Be customer facing! Frequently attend meetings with members of your team!

• Participate in the ongoing technical training alongside your team

• Evangelize the Proofpoint vision to customers and prospects at all levels, from technical to C-suite.

• Put your individual contributor hat on when needed, engage with customers, and help formulate strategies for target accounts

• Partner with other groups such as Professional Services and Customer Success to help us continue our tradition of an outstanding customer experience and industry leading customer retention

• Become a student of our security and risk platform

• The role will require travel between 25-75% within the region

Job Requirements:

• Minimum 2+ years of experience leading sales engineering teams, ideally in the cyber-security industry

• Previous experience as a sales engineer, preferred 4-6 years of experience

• Strong, related technical background in cyber-security such as cloud security, network security, incident response, messaging or related field

• Proven track record of mentoring and developing team members and guiding them to success

• Solid sales acumen, and ability to partner with account teams to drive new customer sales as well as add-on revenue.

• Lead from the front style, and ability to roll up your sleeves and get technical

• You can thrive in a fast paced, high energy environment

• Ability to work independently, adapt quickly and maintain a positive attitude

• Proven ability to command a room, lead complex technical and business conversations with C-suite executives, as well as technical staff

• Bachelor’s or advanced degree in relevant field, or equivalent experience

Why Proofpoint?

At Proofpoint, we believe that an exceptional career experience includes a comprehensive compensation and benefits package. Here are just a few reasons you’ll love working with us:

• Competitive compensation

• Comprehensive benefits

• Career success on your terms

• Flexible work environment

• Annual wellness and community outreach days

• Always on recognition for your contributions

• Global collaboration and networking opportunities

Our Culture:

Our culture is rooted in values that inspire belonging, empower purpose and drive success-every day, for everyone.

We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. If you need accommodation during the application or interview process, please reach out to [e-mail] .

Proofpoint is an equal opportunity employer, we hire without consideration to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status or disability.

Find your network, your allies, and your biggest fans. We know that work is simply better when you’re surrounded by people who inspire you—who share ideas, cheer you on, and genuinely want to see you succeed. That’s why we offer social circles, sponsored networks, and connection points across teams and time zones—to help you find your people, build your community, and thrive together.

This isn’t just a job—it’s a mission to protect people and defend data in a world that never slows down. We’re building the future of human-centric cybersecurity, and that future belongs to all of us. We take ownership, move fast, and hold ourselves accountable—because that’s what it takes to stay ahead. And we do it together, winning as one.

Be empowered to reach your full potential through meaningful challenges and personalized support—designed around you and your goals. Whether you're growing as a leader or leveling up from great to exceptional as an individual contributor, we’re here to help you get there.

Proofpoint is an equal opportunity employer, we hire without consideration to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status or disability.