Security Sales Engineer - Chicago, Pre-sales

Tenable; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 114,500 - 152,500; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) retirement savings with company match

Employee stock purchase plan

Paid time off (PTO)

Job summary

Tenable is looking for a Pre-Sales Engineer in Chicago to drive strategic Enterprise selling. This role involves delivering technical presentations, managing software trials, and maintaining customer relationships.

Ideal candidates should have 3–5 years of experience in technical sales and a strong cybersecurity background. Compensation includes a competitive salary and a variety of comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, and an employee stock purchase plan.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of experience in a customer-facing technical sales role.
• Ability to lead technical proof-of-value engagements.
• Strong communication skills for diverse audiences.

Responsibilities

• Deliver compelling technical presentations and product demonstrations.
• Manage enterprise software trials and Proof of Concept evaluations.
• Maintain relationships with existing customers while identifying new opportunities.

Skills

Technical Sales

Customer Relationship Management

Cybersecurity Knowledge

Presentation Skills

Communication Skills

Education

BS in Computer Science or equivalent

Tools

Nessus

AWS

Azure

Google Cloud

Job description

About Tenable

Tenable® is the Exposure Management company. 44,000 organizations around the globe rely on Tenable to understand and reduce cyber risk. Our global employees support 65 percent of the Fortune 500, 45 percent of the Global 2000, and large government agencies. Come be part of our journey!

What makes Tenable such a great place to work?

Ask a member of our team and they’ll answer, “Our people!” We work together to build and innovate best‑in‑class cybersecurity solutions for our customers; all while creating a culture of belonging, respect, and excellence where we can be our best selves. When you’re part of our team, you can expect to partner with some of the most talented and passionate people in the industry, and have the support and resources you need to do work that truly matters. We deliver results that exceed expectations and we win together!

Your Role

Tenable is seeking an experienced Pre‑Sales Engineer to own and drive the Business and Technical aspects of strategic Enterprise selling in your assigned region. You will partner with Enterprise Territory Managers and a strong team of peers to differentiate the Tenable solutions from our competitors, create lasting customers by positioning unique business values they are looking for and, most importantly, create raving fans of Tenable throughout your area of influence.

Your Opportunity

• Deliver compelling technical presentations and live demonstrations of Tenable Enterprise products
• Manage enterprise software trials and Proof of Concept evaluations, mapping unique business values with customer business objectives
• Answer technical questions and provide consultative guidance on security best practices, compliance frameworks, and risk management
• Apply advanced technical skills to demonstrate the value and impact of Tenable’s solutions in solving real‑world customer challenges
• Maintain and strengthen relationships with existing customers, while identifying and cultivating new strategic opportunities
• Present thought leadership content and represent Tenable at industry events, executive briefings, and customer‑facing sessions
• Leverage strategic technical selling skills to engage key stakeholders, from engineers to CISOs, and influence decision‑making
• Travel as needed (typically around 25%) to support key customer engagements, critical sales opportunities, and high‑impact cybersecurity events
• Collaborate cross‑functionally with product management and engineering to surface customer feedback and prioritize critical customer use cases
• Help shape future innovations by identifying gaps and contributing ideas for new product features and capabilities
• Deliver clear status reports for Proofs of Value (POVs) and active opportunities; this data is mission‑critical for forecasting business health and ensuring alignment with territory and organizational growth goals
• Meet with prospective clients to discover what their biggest security challenges and highest priority business drivers are

What You’ll Need

• Chicago based role
• 3–5 years of experience in a customer‑facing technical sales role, with a demonstrated track record as a trusted and successful sales engineer
• Proven ability to lead and win technical proof‑of‑value (PoV) engagements with strategic enterprise customers
• A customer‑centric mindset, with a relentless focus on delivering business value and building long‑term relationships
• Recognized thought leadership in cyber security, including experience in public speaking and industry engagement
• Strong communication skills with the ability to tailor and deliver impactful presentations to diverse audiences, including engineers, security professionals, and executive stakeholders
• A collaborative, team‑oriented approach, committed to knowledge‑sharing and cross‑functional success, while proudly representing our team culture
• Exceptional Situational and Self‑Awareness, with the high emotional intelligence (EQ) required to navigate complex stakeholder dynamics, adapt communication styles in real‑time, and maintain a grounded, professional presence during high‑pressure technical demonstrations

And Ideally

• 5+ years of Sales Engineering experience with a focus on vulnerability management, cloud security, or complex enterprise SaaS.
• Core Network Security & TCP/IP Foundations, including an understanding of the OSI model, packet analysis, and other advanced network security concepts
• Vulnerability Management Expertise, with hands‑on experience using Nessus and other industry‑standard network security scanning tools to identify, validate, and prioritize vulnerabilities across hybrid environments.
• Experience with securing modern Cloud Infrastructure like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud
• Basic understanding of Container Security, specifically securing Docker and Kubernetes (K8s) environments
• AI Security Knowledge, including the ability to identify and mitigate risks that LLM’s bring to businesses
• Basic Understanding of Identity and Access Management (IAM), including its critical role as the modern security perimeter and how to manage user and service permissions across cloud environments.
• Automation & DevSecOps Mindset, with the ability to leverage Python SDKs, REST/GraphQL APIs, Terraform, and more.
• Strategic Compliance Knowledge, mapping technical findings to frameworks like CIS, FISMA, PCI, and emerging AI‑specific regulations (e.g., NIST AI RMF).
• Strong Academic & Professional Credentials, including a BS in Computer Science (or equivalent) and certifications such as CISSP, AWS Solutions Architect, or CKA (Certified Kubernetes Administrator).

Compensation

Compensation for this position will depend on a number of factors, including the candidate’s qualifications, skills, competencies, location and experience, and may fall outside of the range shown. Employees are also eligible for variable compensation in addition to base pay (commission for sales roles, bonus for non‑sales roles), depending on company and individual performance. Tenable also offers a variety of comprehensive and competitive benefits which include: medical, dental, vision, disability and life insurance; 401(k) retirement savings with company match; an employee stock purchase plan; an employee referral program; flexible spending accounts; an Employee Assistance Program (EAP); education assistance; parental leave; paid time off (PTO); company‑paid holidays; health and wellness events; and community programs.

US Pay Range

$114,500—$152,500 USD

EEO Statement

We’re committed to promoting Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) at Tenable – through all equal employment opportunity laws and regulations at the international, federal, state and local levels. If you need a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please contact [e-mail] for further assistance.

Data Consent Statement

Tenable is committed to protecting the privacy and security of your personal data. This Notice describes how we collect and use your personal data during and after your working relationship with us, in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”). For more information, please review the notice. For California Residents: The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) requires that Tenable advise you of certain rights related to the collection of your private information. For more information, please review the notice.