Solutions Engineer - US Commercial - Chicago

Cisco; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 170,000 - 226,000; Full time

Job summary

Cisco is seeking a Solutions Engineer with Enterprise Networking, Data Center and/or Security experience. This pre-sales role partners with Account Managers to showcase Cisco solutions, deliver customer presentations, and run PoC activities to meet customer outcomes.

The ideal candidate will have strong presentation and troubleshooting skills, customer-focused approach, and the ability to design cross-architectural solutions to address business challenges. Chicago relocation is supported.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of industry-related experience.
• BS/BA (EE/CS) or relevant experience.
• Cisco product experience or relevant experience in key competitor offerings in technology area of emphasis is required.
• Knowledge of Cisco's Solutions, and networking fundamentals.

Responsibilities

• Actively contributes to account planning activities to pinpoint growth opportunities and align technical strategies with customer objectives.
• Elevates expertise of Cisco's portfolio with a broadening knowledge of cross-architectural solutions and domains.
• Partners to drive innovation and lead solution conversation with technical executives.
• Applies deep understanding of customer's business challenges and drives customers towards portfolio solutions.
• Influences strategic priorities for customers and leads cross-architecture designs.
• Examines underlying customer needs and promotes cross-architecture solutions.
• Leverages advanced competitive market insights to position and differentiate Cisco solutions.
• Leads cross-functional collaboration with internal teams and external partners to refine strategic alignment and elevate customer relationships.
• Implements adaptation strategies to respond to evolving market conditions and challenges.
• Creates BoMs, participates in demos, and runs proof of concept activities.

Skills

Networking fundamentals

Pre-sales experience

Customer intimacy skills

Education

BS/BA in EE/CS

Job description

The application window is expected to close on: 10/27/2026 Candidate required to live in or relocate to Chicago

Meet the Team

As we continue to uphold our standard of excellence in US Commercial Sales, we are embracing unprecedented innovation as a tremendous opportunity for growth. We succeed because we listen to our customers and anticipate their needs as the market shifts and technology transitions accelerate. Our customers are versatile and agile and adopt technology fast to compete aggressively and grow their business. We are confident our model provides you with unlimited opportunities to succeed at Cisco. Our culture is one of support and empowerment.

Your Impact

Cisco is seeking a Solutions Engineer (SE) with Enterprise Networking background, Data Center and/or Security. Cloud, Automation and AI experience is nice to have. The SE is a customer-focused technical sales professional who ensures that technical information and guidance is provided to the customer, delivering meaningful outcomes based on Cisco's product and services portfolio. The SE will partner with our Account Managers in a pre-sales technical function, showcasing Cisco solutions, providing customer presentations, performing technical demonstrations, creating BoMs, and running proof of concept activities. The SE will partner, consult, influence, and design solutions to allow the customer to meet their desired outcomes. In addition to technology aptitude and the ability to learn quickly and stay current; the ideal candidate's interpersonal, presentation, and troubleshooting skills should evoke passion and confidence.

• Actively contributes to account planning activities to pinpoint growth opportunities and align technical strategies with customer objectives
• Elevates expertise of Cisco's portfolio with a broadening knowledge of cross-architectural solutions and domains
• Partners to drive innovation and lead solution conversation with technical executives
• Applies deep understanding of customer's business challenges and drives customers towards portfolio solutions
• Influences strategic priorities for customers and leads cross-architecture designs
• Examines underlying customer needs and promotes cross-architecture solutions
• Leverages advanced competitive market insights to position and differentiate Cisco solutions
• Leads cross-functional collaboration with internal teams and external partners to refine strategic alignment and elevate customer relationships
• Implements adaptation strategies to respond to evolving market conditions and challenges

Minimum Qualifications

• 2+ years of industry-related experience
• Typically requires BS/BA (EE/CS) or relevant experience
• Cisco product experience or relevant experience in key competitor offerings in technology area of emphasis is required
• Knowledge of Cisco's Solutions, and networking fundamentals

Preferred Qualifications

• Customer intimacy skills
• Pre-sales experience preferred
• CCNA/CCNP Enterprise

Why Cisco?

At Cisco, we're revolutionizing how data and infrastructure connect and protect organizations in the AI era - and beyond. We've been innovating fearlessly for 40 years to create solutions that power how humans and technology work together across the physical and digital worlds. These solutions provide customers with unparalleled security, visibility, and insights across the entire digital footprint.

Fueled by the depth and breadth of our technology, we experiment and create meaningful solutions. Add to that our worldwide network of doers and experts, and you'll see that the opportunities to grow and build are limitless. We work as a team, collaborating with empathy to make really big things happen on a global scale. Because our solutions are everywhere, our impact is everywhere.

We are Cisco, and our power starts with you.

Message to applicants applying to work in the U.S. and/or Canada:

The starting salary range posted for this position is $170,300.00 to $226,400.00 and reflects the projected salary range for new hires in this position in U.S. and/or Canada locations, not including incentive compensation*, equity, or benefits.

Individual pay is determined by the candidate's hiring location, market conditions, job-related skillset, experience, qualifications, education, certifications, and/or training. The full salary range for certain locations is listed below. For locations not listed below, the recruiter can share more details about compensation for the role in your location during the hiring process.

U.S. employees are offered benefits, subject to Cisco's plan eligibility rules, which include medical, dental and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan with a Cisco matching contribution, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability coverage, and basic life insurance. Please see the Cisco careers site to discover more benefits and perks. Employees may be eligible to receive grants of Cisco restricted stock units, which vest following continued employment with Cisco for defined periods of time.