Solutions Engineer - SLED - Chicago 1443167

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  • Location:
    Chicago, Illinois, US
  • Area of Interest
    Sales - Product
  • Compensation Range
    203800 USD - 269900 USD
  • Job Type
    Professional
  • Technology Interest
    Portfolio
  • Job Id
    1443167
New

The application window is expected to close on 6/20/25

Job posting may be removed earlier if the position is filled or if a sufficient number of applications are received

Candidate must reside in or willing to relocate to Chicago metro area

Meet the Team

Join a dynamic and passionate group of professionals at Cisco, where we empower state, local government, and education (SLED) organizations to thrive in today’s digital age. Our team is at the forefront of delivering cutting-edge technology solutions that drive smarter cities, connected campuses, and stronger communities.

We are innovators, collaborators, and problem-solvers who take pride in helping our customers tackle their biggest challenges with confidence. By blending world-class technology with a deep understanding of the unique needs of the SLED market, we don’t just create solutions—we create possibilities.

With a culture rooted in inclusivity, curiosity, and collaboration, you’ll work alongside some of the brightest minds in the industry. Together, we are transforming how public sector organizations serve their citizens and learners. If you’re ready to make a real impact while growing your career, come and join us on this exciting journey!

Your Impact

As a Solutions Engineer at Cisco, you will drive thought leadership and showcase the impact of Cisco solutions on business transformation. You will act as a trusted advisor, guiding customers and partners through technology selection and implementation, ensuring they derive maximum value from their Cisco investments. You will collaborate with Cisco customers, partners, and colleagues in sales, customer experience (CX), and engineering to deliver technology solutions with successful outcomes.

This role offers the opportunity to lead by example, foster collaboration across teams, and strengthen Cisco’s customer relationships. You will lead educational efforts, familiarize others with Cisco’s solutions, and contribute to knowledge sharing. You will also shape Cisco’s strategic plans for customers, lead cross-architecture designs, and engage partners and customer success teams. Staying up-to-date with Cisco's portfolio and translating customer requirements into technical solutions will keep you at the forefront of technology.

Minimum Qualifications

  • 6+ years experience in a customer-facing, field sales engineering role
  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience
  • Hands-on experience with Cisco technologies, including routing, switching, collaboration, security, data center, or cloud solutions.

Preferred Qualifications

  • CCNP certification (or seeking in the next 12 months).  CCIE also preferred
  • Familiarity with emerging technologies such as Software-Defined Networking (SDN), Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI)/Machine Learning (ML), or cybersecurity solutions.
  • Demonstrated success in customer-facing roles such as technical pre-sales, solutions engineering, or consulting.
  • Experience in presenting complex technical solutions to both technical and non-technical audiences, including C-level executives.
  • Understanding of customer business challenges and priorities, with the ability to align technology solutions to achieve business outcomes.
  • Knowledge of competitive landscapes and the ability to position Cisco solutions against key competitors.
  • Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting capabilities, with experience in diagnosing and resolving complex technical issues.
  • Proven ability to work with channel partners and ecosystem partners to deliver joint solutions.
  • Continuous learning mindset with a track record of staying up-to-date on industry trends and Cisco’s evolving product portfolio.
  • Participation in technical training programs, boot camps, or community events related to Cisco and industry technologies.
  • Experience with infrastructure virtualization platforms such as Cisco ViRL/CML, EVE-NG, GNS3, etc.
  • Proficiency with Python, RESTCONF, NETCONF, YANG Suite, Ansible, Terraform
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related field. A Master's degree is a plus.

#WeAreCisco

#WeAreCisco where every individual brings their unique skills and perspectives together to pursue our purpose of powering an inclusive future for all.

Our passion is connection—we celebrate our employees’ diverse set of backgrounds and focus on unlocking potential. Cisconians often experience one company, many careers where learning and development are encouraged and supported at every stage. Our technology, tools, and culture pioneered hybrid work trends, allowing all to not only give their best, but be their best.

We understand our outstanding opportunity to bring communities together and at the heart of that is our people. One-third of Cisconians collaborate in our 30 employee resource organizations, called Inclusive Communities, to connect, foster belonging, learn to be informed allies, and make a difference. Dedicated paid time off to volunteer—80 hours each year—allows us to give back to causes we are passionate about, and nearly 86% do!

Our purpose, driven by our people, is what makes us the worldwide leader in technology that powers the internet. Helping our customers reimagine their applications, secure their enterprise, transform their infrastructure, and meet their sustainability goals is what we do best. We ensure that every step we take is a step towards a more inclusive future for all. Take your next step and be you, with us!

@Cisco #CiscoJobs #WAreCisco

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

When available, the salary range posted for this position reflects the projected hiring range for new hire, full-time salaries in U.S. and/or Canada locations, not including equity or benefits. For non-sales roles the hiring ranges reflect base salary only; employees are also eligible to receive annual bonuses. Hiring ranges for sales positions include base and incentive compensation target. Individual pay is determined by the candidate's hiring location and additional factors, including but not limited to skillset, experience, and relevant education, certifications, or training. Applicants may not be eligible for the full salary range based on their U.S. or Canada hiring location. The recruiter can share more details about compensation for the role in your location during the hiring process.

U.S. employees have access to quality medical, dental and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan with a Cisco matching contribution, short and long-term disability coverage, basic life insurance and numerous wellbeing offerings.

Employees receive up to twelve paid holidays per calendar year, which includes one floating holiday (for non-exempt employees), plus a day off for their birthday. Non-Exempt new hires accrue up to 16 days of vacation time off each year, at a rate of 4.92 hours per pay period. Exempt new hires participate in Cisco’s flexible Vacation Time Off policy, which does not place a defined limit on how much vacation time eligible employees may use, but is subject to availability and some business limitations. All new hires are eligible for Sick Time Off subject to Cisco’s Sick Time Off Policy and will have eighty (80) hours of sick time off provided on their hire date and on January 1st of each year thereafter.  Up to 80 hours of unused sick time will be carried forward from one calendar year to the next such that the maximum number of sick time hours an employee may have available is 160 hours. Employees in Illinois have a unique time off program designed specifically with local requirements in mind. All employees also have access to paid time away to deal with critical or emergency issues. We offer additional paid time to volunteer and give back to the community.

Employees on sales plans earn performance-based incentive pay on top of their base salary, which is split between quota and non-quota components. For quota-based incentive pay, Cisco typically pays as follows:

.75% of incentive target for each 1% of revenue attainment up to 50% of quota;

1.5% of incentive target for each 1% of attainment between 50% and 75%;

1% of incentive target for each 1% of attainment between 75% and 100%; and once performance exceeds 100% attainment, incentive rates are at or above 1% for each 1% of attainment with no cap on incentive compensation.

For non-quota-based sales performance elements such as strategic sales objectives, Cisco may pay up to 125% of target. Cisco sales plans do not have a minimum threshold of performance for sales incentive compensation to be paid.

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