Solutions Engineer - US Commercial - Chicago

Candidate required to live in or relocate to Chicago. Application window expected to close on 09/11/2026; posting may be removed earlier if the position is filled or a sufficient number of applications are received.

About 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, adopting technology fast to compete aggressively and grow their business. Our culture is one of support and empowerment, providing unlimited opportunities to succeed at Cisco.

Responsibilities

• Actively contribute to account planning activities to pinpoint growth opportunities and align technical strategies with customer objectives.
• Elevate expertise of Cisco's portfolio with a broadening knowledge of cross-architectural solutions and domains.
• Partner to drive innovation and lead solution conversations with technical executives.
• Apply deep understanding of customer’s business challenges and drive customers toward portfolio solutions.
• Influence strategic priorities for customers and lead cross-architecture designs.
• Contribute to planning and lead execution of demand generation and enablement campaigns.
• Examine underlying customer needs and promote cross-architecture solutions.
• Lead demonstrations of technical solutions that address specific business challenges.
• Leverage advanced competitive market insights to position and differentiate Cisco solutions.
• Lead cross-functional collaboration with internal teams and external partners to refine strategic alignment and elevate customer relationships.
• Motivate SE teams and extended sales teams to strengthen knowledge sharing and guide structured educational initiatives.
• Implement adaptation strategies to respond to evolving market conditions and challenges.
• Showcase Cisco solutions, provide customer presentations, perform technical demonstrations, create Bills of Materials (BoMs), and run proof-of-concept activities.
• Partner, consult, influence, and design solutions to allow the customer to meet their desired outcomes.

Requirements

• 4+ years of industry-related experience.
• BS/BA (EE/CS) or relevant experience.
• Cisco product experience or relevant experience in key competitor offerings in the technology area of emphasis.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of Cisco's solutions and networking fundamentals.
• Customer intimacy skills.
• Pre-sales experience preferred.
• CCNP Enterprise certification.
• Strong Enterprise Networking background, with experience in Data Center and Security. Cloud, Automation, and AI experience is a plus.

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. We work as a team, collaborating with empathy to make really big things happen on a global scale.

Pay

The starting salary range for this position is $192,300.00 to $248,100.00 for new hires 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. Below are the full salary ranges for specific locations:

• New York City Metro Area: $212,200.00 - $308,300.00
• Non-Metro New York State & Washington State: $202,400.00 - $296,900.00

For quota-based sales roles, the ranges provided include base pay and sales target incentive compensation combined.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401(k) plan with a Cisco matching contribution.
• Paid parental leave.
• Short and long-term disability coverage.
• Basic life insurance.
• Grants of Cisco restricted stock units, which vest following continued employment for defined periods.
• Paid time away:
  • 10 paid holidays per full calendar year, plus 1 floating holiday for non-exempt employees.
  • 1 paid day off for employee’s birthday.
  • Paid year-end holiday shutdown.
  • 4 paid days off for personal wellness.
  • Non-exempt employees receive 16 days of paid vacation time per full calendar year, accrued at a rate of 4.92 hours per pay period.
  • Exempt employees participate in Cisco’s flexible vacation time off program with no defined limit (subject to availability and business limitations).
  • 80 hours of sick time off provided on hire date and each January 1st thereafter, with up to 80 hours of unused sick time carried forward.
  • Additional paid time away may be requested to deal with critical or emergency issues for family members.
  • Optional 10 paid days per full calendar year to volunteer.
• Annual bonuses for non-sales roles, subject to Cisco’s policies.
• For sales roles, performance-based incentive pay split between quota and non-quota components:
  • Quota-based incentive pay:
    • 0.75% 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%.
    • Once performance exceeds 100% attainment, incentive rates are at or above 1% for each 1% of attainment with no cap on incentive compensation.
  • Non-quota-based sales performance elements: 0% up to 125% of target.

Employees in Illinois, whether exempt or non-exempt, will participate in a unique time off program to meet local requirements.