Sales Engineer

Fortinet, Inc.; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 240,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

Fortinet, Inc. is seeking a Sales Engineer to partner with a Named Account Manager in a defined territory.

This role combines deep cybersecurity technical expertise with strategic engagement at enterprise scale, guiding large organizations through SecOps, Zero Trust, cloud, and network security transformations. You will lead discovery, design secure architectures, and present to CIOs, CISOs, and other executives, building long-term trusted relationships and aligning solutions with business

Qualifications

• 5–8 years’ experience in pre-sales or systems engineering in enterprise-scale cybersecurity, networking, or cloud environments.
• Strong understanding of networking (LAN/WAN, routing, switching, VPNs, TCP/IP) and core security protocols (IPSec, TLS/SSL, PKI, SAML, OAuth, RADIUS).
• Ability to articulate and design solutions across SecOps modernization, Zero Trust and SASE, cloud and hybrid security, and IAM (MFA, SSO, PAM).
• Excellent presentation, communication, and storytelling skills to engage both technical audiences and executive decision-makers.

Responsibilities

• Partner with sales to qualify opportunities and align technical capabilities with business outcomes.
• Lead discovery sessions, workshops, and security assessments in complex enterprise environments.
• Design and present secure architectures incorporating networking, cloud, and SecOps components.
• Deliver presentations and demos to technical stakeholders and executive decision-makers.

Skills

Enterprise cybersecurity

Networking (LAN/WAN)

Cloud environments

SecOps (SOAR, XDR)

Zero Trust

SASE

Executive engagement

Pre-sales/SE roles

Education

Bachelor’s degree in computer science or engineering

Tools

CISSP certification

CCSP certification

Job description

We are seeking a Sales Engineer to partner with a Named Account Manager in a defined territory. This role is designed for a technically strong but strategically minded individual who thrives in customer-facing engagements. The Systems Engineer will act as a trusted advisor, guiding large enterprise organizations through cybersecurity transformation initiatives that span SecOps, Zero Trust, cloud, and network security.

Responsibilities

• Partner with sales to qualify opportunities, define solution strategy, and align technical capabilities with customer business outcomes.
• Lead discovery sessions, workshops, and security assessments that uncover operational and architectural requirements in complex enterprise environments.
• Design and present secure architectures that incorporate networking, cloud, and SecOps components.
• Deliver impactful presentations and demos to both technical stakeholders and executive decision-makers (CISOs, CIOs, CTOs, and business leaders).

Customer Engagement & Strategy

• Serve as the primary technical expert in sales cycles, guiding enterprise accounts through evaluation and decision processes.
• Advise on cybersecurity strategies such as Zero Trust, SASE, cloud security, and SecOps modernization.
• Build and maintain long-term trusted relationships with C-level executives and senior leadership, positioning yourself as a strategic advisor.
• Translate technical concepts into business value discussions tailored for executive-level conversations.

Post-Sales Partnership

• Support smooth deployment transitions by working closely with professional services, support, and customer success teams.
• Provide roadmap guidance, operational reviews, and strategic check-ins to reinforce customer value realization.
• Continue as a trusted advisor to enterprise leadership, ensuring ongoing alignment of their evolving needs with solution capabilities.

Required Skills & Experience

• 5–8 years’ experience in pre-sales or systems engineering roles in enterprise-scale cybersecurity, networking, or cloud environments.
• Strong understanding of networking (LAN/WAN, routing, switching, VPNs, TCP/IP) and core security protocols (IPSec, TLS/SSL, PKI, SAML, OAuth, RADIUS, etc.).
• Ability to articulate and design solutions across:
• SecOps modernization (SIEM, SOAR, XDR)
• Zero Trust and SASE architectures
• Cloud and hybrid security (IaaS, SaaS, containerized workloads)
• Identity and access management (MFA, SSO, PAM)
• Excellent presentation, communication, and storytelling skills—capable of engaging both deeply technical audiences and executive decision-makers.
• Proven track record of leading architectural discussions and aligning technical solutions with business priorities at the enterprise level.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• Industry certifications such as CISSP, CCSP, or vendor-specific credentials (e.g., NSE, CCNP Security, AWS Security Specialty).
• Experience in consulting or advisory roles for large enterprise customers, especially in CISO/CIO-level conversations.
• Familiarity with compliance and security frameworks (MITRE ATT&CK, NIST CSF, ISO 27001, SOC 2).

Why Join Us

This is an opportunity to operate at the intersection of cybersecurity strategy, executive engagement, and customer success, influencing large-scale enterprise organizations as they modernize operations and adopt cutting-edge solutions. If you excel at combining technical depth with executive presence, this role will allow you to shape customer outcomes while growing your career in a dynamic security landscape.

Fortinet offers employees a variety of benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, 401(k), 11paid holidays, vacation time, and sick time as well as a comprehensive leave program.

All roles are eligible to participate in the Fortinet equity program, and this position is also eligible for commissions based on the terms of the Sales Compensation Plan

Fortinet offers employees a variety of benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, 401(k), 11paid holidays, vacation time, and sick time as well as a comprehensive leave program.

Wage ranges are based on various factors including the labor market, job type, and job level. On target earnings for this position is expected to be $240,000 - $280,000 per year.Exact salary offers will be determined by factors such as the candidate's subject knowledge, skill level, qualifications, experience, and geographic location.

All roles are eligible to participate in the Fortinet equity program, and this position is also eligible for commissions based on the terms of the Sales Compensation Plan