Sales Engineer

Talentify; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 113,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus program

401(k)

Job summary

VIAVI Solutions is seeking a senior business development professional with hands-on fiber/DCI expertise to lead opportunities in hyperscale data centers and cloud networks. You will engage from initial contact through proof of concept, driving go-to-market strategies and relationships with ecosystem partners.

The role demands deep technical fluency in fiber-optic networks, testing, and measurement, plus the ability to translate complex requirements into credible business outcomes.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience proactively generating, developing, and closing business opportunities.
• Hands-on technical experience with core network and/or DCI architectures over fiber-optic or metro Ethernet transport.
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, telecommunications, computer science, physics, or related field.

Responsibilities

• Independently identify, develop, and advance opportunities across hyperscale data centers, campus networks, and DCI environments, from initial engagement through proof of concept and deal progression.
• Drive market development and go-to-market strategy, build relationships across the ecosystem, and create competitive momentum by positioning VIAVI against incumbent solutions.
• Lead expert-level technical discussions, workshops, demonstrations, trials, and proofs of concept with teams responsible for optical network design and operations, infrastructure delivery, and metro and long-haul deployments.

Skills

Hunter mindset

Business development

Technical credibility

English fluency

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field

Tools

OTDR

BERT

RFC 2544

Job description

Summary:

VIAVI (NASDAQ: VIAV) is a global provider of network test, monitoring and assurance solutions for telecommunications, cloud, enterprises, first responders, military, aerospace, and railway. VIAVI is also a leader in light management technologies for 3D sensing, anti-counterfeiting, consumer electronics, industrial, automotive, government and aerospace applications.

We are the people behind the products that help keep the world connected at home, school, work, at play, and everywhere in between. VIAVI employees are passionate about supporting customer success and we welcome people who bring their best every day to the company – to question, to collaborate and to push for solutions that will delight our customers.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Top Priorities for This Role

• Business development and sales leadership: independently identify and develop opportunities, build customer momentum, and serve as the go-to solutions expert from initial engagement through proof of concept and deal progression.
• Core network and DCI technical expertise: Apply hands‑on experience with core network and/or DCI architectures using fiber‑optic and Ethernet transport, including direct experience with fiber‑optic and Ethernet test and measurement. This role requires practical application expertise—not only classroom or conceptual knowledge—and the ability to serve as a trusted solutions and applications expert.

Market & Scope

• Hyperscale data centers and cloud/AI fiber‑optic network infrastructure
• Colocation and multi‑tenant data centers
• Contractors and ecosystem partners, including dark‑fiber and lit‑fiber providers supporting DCI builds and wavelength services

Key Responsibilities

Business Development & Sales Leadership

• Independently identify, develop, and advance opportunities across hyperscale data centers, campus networks, and DCI environments, from initial engagement through proof of concept and deal progression.
• Drive market development and go‑to‑market strategy, build relationships across the ecosystem, and create competitive momentum by positioning VIAVI against incumbent solutions.

Technical Expertise & Hyperscaler Engagement

• Serve as VIAVI go‑to technical expert, providing deep, hands‑on technical understanding of fiber network test and measurement—spanning data center fiber infrastructure, DCI architectures, fiber certification and characterization, high‑speed Ethernet service activation, test automation, and reporting.
• Lead expert‑level technical discussions, workshops, demonstrations, trials, and proofs of concept with teams responsible for optical network design and operations, infrastructure delivery, and metro and long‑haul deployments.
• Translate complex requirements into credible solutions and clear business outcomes.

Voice of Customer & Enablement

• Capture customer, competitive, and market insights to shape product roadmaps, solution positioning, and go‑to‑market priorities.
• Enable the Sales team through customer presentations, methods of procedure, workshops, technical training, and strategic participation in customer engagements and industry forums.

Pre‑Requisites / Skills / Experience Requirements:

Required Experience & Technical Background

Must Have

• 5+ years of experience proactively generating, developing, and closing business opportunities—not solely in product marketing, technical support, or sales support
• Hands‑on technical experience with core network and/or DCI architectures over fiber‑optic or metro Ethernet transport, including direct experience with test and measurement tools and methods such as OTDR, IL/ORL, CD/PMD, BERT, and RFC 2544 service activation, and working familiarity with relevant industry standards (e.g., IEC, Telcordia, IEEE 802.3)
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, telecommunications, computer science, physics, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience

Preferred

• Experience working with network equipment vendors, fiber ecosystem partners, and fiber contractors
• Direct experience engaging hyperscalers, cloud providers, or large‑scale data center operators
• Familiarity with hollow‑core fiber, multicore fiber, and 800G+ Ethernet testing
• Fluency in written and spoken English

Key Competencies

• Proven business development skills and a strong hunter mindset—consistently self‑generating pipeline rather than relying on inbound leads
• Technical credibility with network engineers, operations teams, and network architects
• Self‑driven and able to work independently while advancing opportunities from initial engagement through closure
• Confident engaging senior leaders and executive stakeholders

Travel

Approximately 30% travel within North America, with occasional international travel.

VIAVI Solutions is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer – minorities/females/veterans/persons with disabilities.

Job Posting Pay Range:

113,050

to

209,950

Exceptional qualifications, experience and location may impact salary. VIAVI offers a competitive benefits package that includes paid time off, health, life and disability insurance, 401(k), and a bonus program.