ARM (Advanced RISC Machine), Amazon Web Services (AWS), Architectural Design, Architectural Services, Artificial Intelligence (AI), CCSP - Cisco Certified Security Professional, CISSP - Certified Information Systems Security Professional, Cloud Architecture, Cloud Computing, Communication Skills, Computer Science, Customer Relations, Dental Insurance, Emerging Technology, F5 Network Software, Federal Government, GCP (Good Clinical Practices), Government, Hybrid Cloud, Identify Issues, Identity Data Management, Internet Security, Leadership, Microsoft Windows Azure, Network Connectivity, Network Security, Pre-Sales, Presentation/Verbal Skills, Product Demonstration, Product Positioning, Production Support, Proof of Concept, Regulatory Compliance, Sales Cycle, Sales Demonstration, Sales Management, Sales/Support Engineering (SE), Secret Clearance, Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI), Strategic Planning, Systems Engineering, Technical Consulting, Technical Delivery, Technical Leadership, Technical Presentation, Technical Sales, Technical Strategy, Technical Support, Technical Writing, Top Secret Clearance, United States Department of Defense (DoD), Value-Added Resellers (VAR), Vision Plan, Writing Skills
Senior Presales Engineer (Federal)
Location: Remote (Preferred: DC Metro Area, Charleston, SC, Norfolk/Suffolk, VA, or Raleigh/Durham, NC)
Travel: Occasional local/regional travel
Our client is a mission-focused Federal Value-Added Reseller (VAR) and trusted technology partner delivering innovative cybersecurity and IT solutions that strengthen national security. They help federal agencies modernize infrastructure, accelerate secure software delivery, and implement next-generation technologies across Zero Trust, DevSecOps, Kubernetes, cloud, AI infrastructure, and enterprise cybersecurity.
Working alongside industry-leading partners including Nutanix, F5, Palo Alto Networks, Arista Networks, and Rancher Government Solutions, you'll help solve complex technical challenges that directly impact federal missions.
Why Join?
- Work on meaningful federal and DoD missions
- Partner with leading cybersecurity and infrastructure vendors
- Influence technical strategy from opportunity through solution delivery
- Collaborate with experienced engineers and architects
- Opportunity to grow into a Principal or Practice leadership role
Position Overview
Our client is seeking an experienced Presales Engineer who combines deep technical expertise with strong customer engagement skills.
This is not a demo-only sales engineering position. You'll serve as a trusted technical advisor throughout the sales lifecycleâworking directly with federal customers to understand mission requirements, architect secure solutions, validate technical approaches, and communicate business value to executive stakeholders.
The ideal candidate enjoys solving difficult technical challenges, building trusted customer relationships, and translating complex architectures into practical mission outcomes.
Key Responsibilities
Technical Strategy & Customer Engagement
- Partner with Account Executives to develop winning technical strategies
- Translate customer requirements into secure, scalable solution architectures
- Lead technical discovery sessions with federal customers
- Support capture activities through solution positioning and competitive differentiation
- Present technical solutions to both engineering teams and executive leadership
Solution Architecture
Design and recommend secure architectures across one or more of the following areas:
- Zero Trust
- Cloud Infrastructure
- DevSecOps
- Kubernetes & Container Platforms
- SOC Modernization
- Network Security
- Identity & Access Management
- AI Infrastructure
- Hybrid Cloud
Collaborate with customer engineers to validate designs and ensure solutions meet operational and compliance requirements.
Proof of Concept & Technical Validation
- Build and demonstrate proof-of-concept environments
- Validate architectural designs in customer or lab environments
- Troubleshoot technical challenges during evaluations
- Support technical workshops and solution demonstrations
Technical Leadership
- Develop solution briefs, architecture diagrams, and technical content
- Stay current on emerging technologies and federal cybersecurity initiatives
- Maintain strong relationships with strategic technology partners
- Serve as a long-term trusted advisor to customers
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or equivalent experience
- 10+ years of experience in Presales Engineering, Solutions Architecture, Systems Engineering, or technical consulting
- Experience supporting federal government or DoD customers
- Strong understanding of enterprise infrastructure, cloud, networking, and cybersecurity technologies
- Excellent communication and presentation skills
- Ability to explain complex technical concepts to both technical and executive audiences
Technical Expertise
We are looking for candidates who possess deep expertise in one or more technical domains, while maintaining broad familiarity across modern enterprise infrastructure.
Examples include:
- Cloud Architecture (AWS, Azure, GCP, OCI)
- Kubernetes & Container Platforms
- Zero Trust
- DevSecOps
- Infrastructure as Code
- Network Security
- Identity & Access Management
- SOC & Security Operations
- AI Infrastructure & Data Platforms
Candidates should be comfortable:
- Designing secure architectures
- Explaining architectural tradeoffs
- Whiteboarding complex systems
- Troubleshooting technical challenges
- Engaging in peer-level conversations with senior engineers
Breadth is valuable. Demonstrated depth is mandatory.
Cloud Experience
Candidates should have hands-on experience architecting and supporting production workloads in at least one major cloud platform (AWS, Azure, GCP, OCI, or similar).
Experience should include several of the following:
- Cloud networking and hybrid connectivity
- Identity and access management
- Security and compliance
- Infrastructure as Code (Terraform, CloudFormation, ARM/Bicep)
- Monitoring and logging
- Cloud-native services and integrations
Preferred Certifications
Advanced certifications demonstrating expertise in a technical specialty are highly valued. Examples include:
- CISSP or CCSP
- AWS Professional or Specialty certifications
- Kubernetes (CKA, CKAD, CKS)
- Palo Alto Networks (PCNSE)
- Nutanix (NCP or higher)
- F5
- CyberArk
- Rancher Government Solutions
- Elastic
- Other advanced cloud, networking, or cybersecurity certifications
Equivalent certifications demonstrating similar technical expertise are also welcome.
Preferred Qualifications
- Active Secret or TS/SCI clearance
- Self-starter with strong ownership mentality
- Comfortable working in fast-paced technical environments
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Passion for learning emerging technologies
Benefits
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance beginning on your first day
- Employer pays 80% of employee premiums
- Employer pays 50% of dependent premiums
- Health Savings Account (HSA)
- Unlimited Paid Time Off
- 11 Federal Holidays
- 401(k) with company match:
- Dollar-for-dollar up to 3%
- 50% match on the next 2%