Hey everyone I’m a new graduate with a bs in industrial and systems engineering currently looking around for full time opportunities. One role that caught my eye is sales engineering. I wanted to ask for opinions on this career path in terms of pay and career progression. Does it have good exit opportunities? What does the career growth typically look like for this role?

like
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at

Sales Engineering to me is all about enjoying problem solving and solutioning, but preferring client facing interaction. While Google 1 has a point about “ability to accept you’re in a sales role”, there are a few things to consider:
1) SE’s, in my experience, are treated MUCH better than sales people and very much appreciated by both prospects/clients and their employers. I’ve been on the sales side and cannot stress this enough
2) pay is variable, but based on multiple sellers (if not entire sales team) performance and tends to be weighed heavier to salary (typically 70/30% to 80/20%).
3) Revenue is quantifiable, but impact for sellers is a bit harder. This gives the perk of being tied to revenue (high upside) while making it much less difficult to point out negative performance - offering surprising job stability relative to sales

I’m a huge fan of SE life and would be happy to talk to you about it. If you want to weigh heavier on doing the development compared to talking about it, Solutions Engineering is the client-side equivalent of Sales Engineering. After sales closes the deal, the Sales Engineer typically hands off notes for the Solutions Engineer to actually do the work with the client.

likesmart

Sorry for the long winded answer. DM me if you want to chat!

Positive:
Applying engineering skills with real problem
Meeting customers and partners
Exposure in the field / industry
Pay most likely will be related to sales figure so in a good year you can be doing very well

Things to consider:
You will not be developing engineering products. You are bridging the gap between business and tech instead.
Ability to accept you are in a Sales role
Politics will be there, anywhere
Growth depends on sales number so it could varies a-lot.

likesmart

My undergrad is in mechanical engineering. I spent several years in that space and made the switch to sales engineering and tech sales. There's a lot more upside for your career from a growth standpoint and pay. There's nothing more quantifiable than generating revenue for a business and that visibility can be great depending on how high on the ladder you want to climb.

like

How did you make that switch?

I graduated with the same major! It’s a good major if you are the generalist type and then you can deeper into something else that you are passionate about. If you are good with people than sales eng would be good. Sales can be mentally tough, don’t take all the rejections personal. Feel free to connect on LI happy to chat with you and help out a fellow ISE grad. Fun fact - Tim Cook is an ISE too! Good luck!

like

In my white collar roles a great sales engineer is practically priceless because sales reps (generally) aren't wired for the tedious aspects of stand ups, maintenance, troubleshooting, etc. An SE can make a break an deal. If it is only for 1 year or two you'll have cross functional capabilities straight e/Dev gentlefolks wont

Related Posts

Anyone from TARGET, I need a referral job id R0000256696

likeuplifting

Hey guys, can you please calculate in hand salary for me. I am getting 9Lpa fixed 10% variable, 2L joining bonus in first month and 1L extra bonus on completing one year that will get credited next year August. I have no investment as such in 80c

Post Photo
like

Just set a phone screen with a recruiter from Asana for a strategy analyst role… anyone here have a sense of what the general hiring process looks like for that? I see something about a take home case on Glassdoor, but I can’t find much more.

helpful

I am looking to get any advice/tips on managing people. I just accepted a lead role and it’s my first time leading a team professionally. Thank you in advance!

like

Hello, I would like to move to a position as a Software tester or QA analyst, I have done this before but only in a contract compacity back in 2011. Currently I have been in tech support for 8 yrs and I want to do something different. How do I go about pivoiting to a Software tester it would be a manual position because I only know enough coding to be dangerous...LOL

like

This is the most basic question, so yep, I’m asking you to take it easy on me when you reply. I have been practicing for about 5 years total. I have been in civil practice for 2 years. These 2 years have been the most demoralizing, unfulfilling 2 years of my life. I have been giving myself pep talks to find the “positive” spin on it but firm life isn’t for me. I know networking is key but do you have some thoughts/suggestions on how to make an exit...crying at therapy is becoming too much.

like

Hi there- I have a couple questions I’d love some insight on. What is a typical salary range for an associate dir or dir of learning & dev in NYC?

I just graduated with my PsyD in school psych & several years experience in education, clinical psych & also as an admin/EA at a marketing firm HQ but am planning on interviewing for learning & dev roles. Total burnout in education and mental health fields. Could this be an obtainable entry point level/role given my career snapshot above? Thanks!

like
like

Hi Fishes,

Can anyone let me know what I would get as monthly salary from this compensation from HCL. HCL Technologies . Also like to know about Variable pay. How it will going to credit either by quarterly or yearly.

Post Photo

Can we only leverage one referral for an MBB application? I have multiple potential referrers and deciding who to approach.

Also, what information are they expected to include when making a referral?

like

What’s the comp (base + bonus) for post MBA roles at Mbb in Toronto?

like

I know this isn’t a “biglaw” firm because it doesn’t pay market, but did anyone else see the insane bonus numbers at 2400 hours for Loeb & Loeb? Is that real? $305k bonus for an 8th year?

like

I recently interviewed for a really well known, mature tech company that’s revered for its great culture. I was at the last round, after over a month of communication, interviews and challenges. I couldn’t even count hours I’d already put in. Then they ghosted me. It ruined my interest in the role anyway, but I’m still extremely disappointed with how they treated me. Is there a way to give them that feedback? And is it even worth it anyway?

like

Hi Fishes,
I am an immediate joiner looking for referral for the role of java developer. Today is my Last working day in Wipro.
YOE : 3
Stack : java
CCTC : 5.5 LPA
ECTC: 10 - 13LPA
Thanks in advance!

like

Hey Everyone! I’m going to be submitting my application for a role with UnitedHealthcare. Does anyone currently work there and could offer a referral? Much appreciated!

like

Hey recruiters! What are your earnings? Please list the industry and commission structure, and salary progression yearly

like

What is the most useful technical or soft skills for any mechanical engineer to have where you work? I’m curious to know what really matters for everyone and what makes a big impact on the team and business.

Specifics if you can; CAD tools, simulation, CAD speed or proficiency, industry or standards knowledge, GD&T, certifications, Microsoft Excel, presentation skills, technical writing, project management, self organization, great communication, teaching ability, relationship building, etc.

Anyone done early promotion from senior to manager? Promotion to manager after 2 years at manager, 4 in total. What was the process like? I am going through it this summer.

like

My biggest mistake was accepting a promotion to manager, it made me realize that I'm not very good at managing people. Should I ask if I can go back to my old role?

likefunnysmarthelpful

More Posts

His awkward folded legs, my guy can be so non-cat-elegant sometimes. Loveable goof.

Post Photo
likeuplifting

How much will I get from 1.5L benefits provided in CTC from Thoughtworks if I don’t reimburse anything?
Liked fixed in a year?

like

Hi Everyone! Between corona and snowstorms, “real life” is seeming as far off as anything else. Curious to hear what some people are doing to keep their employees engaged? Zoom happy hours are dead.. we did a few “virtual contests” (i.e., everyone submitted a pic of themselves dressed up for Halloween, allowing former years as entries, and made a slide show for voting the winner), but I’d like to go a little bigger. Suggestions??

likehelpful

Was reached out from an Amazon Recruiter for a Program Manager role. Got past the online assessment and now they are asking for total compensation expectations (inclusive of RSUs, bonuses). Any idea of what is a fair number to put? Especially since the salary is no longer capped. Currently a Senior consultant with 6.5 YOE, making 116K.

Admin of the bowl please change the name to MINDTREE

like

Any recommendations for a good dry shampoo, for dry- fizzy hair in NYC climate?

like

Hi sharks,
i am serving notice period right now(updated in naukri as well)..however i am not getting any call from any company ??
What might have went wrong??
YOE:- 4.4
Profile:- btech -> 2.8 years Infosys -> MBA(tier 1) -> Maruti(strategy manager 1.6 years).
Currently have 1 offer.
Suggest any possible methods to grab 1-2 better opportunities
Profiles looking for :- consultant/strategy/product

like

Beat agencies in Sweden?

Hi All,

Can you please suggest some good societies near Manayta tech park ? Also what should be the budget for a 2 bhk (family)

like

My office is in weikfield info park near phoenix mall.
Where should I look for good accommodation for family nearby?

like

Hi All,

I got an offer from Accenture and joining date is 18 October. This is into CN. Lately I got a temporary employment contract from Dubai with a very decent pay.
Due to some personal urgencies, I am under confusion to pursue the offer at Dubai or not!
Can I ask a counter from Accenture to increase my pay and a hard genuine try to send me onsite in 6 months?
Or will it backfire and they close my current offer? What's the situation in Accenture as the market is snaily in recent months!

like

What is the coolest thing you've ever designed?

like

I've offer from Capgemini and Automation Anywhere.
Kindly share your opinion which one to go for.
Offered Salary is almost same.

Profile: Senior Salesforce Developer

Area of Concern: WLB, Appraisal , Team opportunity, Politics etc...

like

Anybody left FDD /transaction services and joined the federal space, specifically Defense / IC? If so, any tips!

A good company to work for on a small scale not much issue

please help me with caption 😅🤣

Post Photo
like

Hi, I have an interview with Twitch for a product manager role. Can anyone help me with what I should expect while interviewing with them?

like

Hi Fishes,
What will be the in hand salary for the below breakup from Wipro?
Considering the tax deduction and pf and home loan exemption.

Post Photo

Looking for immediate .Net developer with 3 4 years of experience in .net technology with MVC and web api.if anyone interested please let me know it's urgent

like

Any hype around AC Valhalla or is it overshadowed by cyberpunk and the new Black Ops?

like

Additional Posts in Sales Engineers

What's an average SE salary with 3 years experience in Ontario, Canada ?

like

I am a solution engineering (presales) manager at Saleforce, and looking to hire a Tableau Analytics SE for our Canada Public Sector team. Seeking candidates with relevant experience in technical customer-facing roles and/or analytics. Ideally residing in Toronto or Montreal metro areas, public sector experience. Bilingual (French and English) is a huge plus. Please let me know if you are interested to learn more! I don’t have the job posting yet but will share once I do.

like
like

Is it possible to move from SDR to presales externally? I have a year of saas SDR experience, 2 years of sales experience. Was just told the move is not attainable internally.

like

Does @Twilio have annual merit increases for SEs? If so, how much is an average one for a mid to high performer?

like

How much technical knowledge do you need to be an SE at Salesforce?

like

Started a new gig and they are asking for emails and phone numbers for potential customers. What services do you all use for getting this kind of data?

like

Recruitment or solutions engineering what would you say is a better career? I have experience in both fields and enjoy them both as well but I cant decide what I want to continue with. I 'm worried about job hopping so want to make an informed decision. For more context, I'm motivated by earning potential and being able to grow into leadership role. Hope this network can help.

like

Has anyone here transitioned to a software engineer from pre-sales? Verdict?

like

Heavily headhunted for Google Cloud sales engineer role. Does anyone have any insight? Is it mostly commission based?

like

Anyone work in the Sales Engineer area for Datadog that can advise on interviews? Coming from software development with some consulting experience.

like

Hey , anyone keen to share how their salary progressed from year 1 to like year 4 including ur stocks and what not? Starting off about 95k ish

like

Currently looking to get back into the Job Market after a layoff in May. I have Been consulting on temp basic but looking to get back into employment full time. I have about 20 years of experience in Technology Infrastructure, Security, Cloud, and Fintech solutions. Any pointers will be welcome. I am seeking, remote, and location-based Jobs. I am open to working in the African Region or in the United States (I don't require any visa assistance)

like
like

What’s a day in the life of an SE? What skills make you successful?

like

What are the biggest challenges you have had to overcome as a sales/solutions engineer?

like

Currently interviewing for a pre sales SE position and part of the process involves giving a mock presentation and demo. I have been given access to a sandbox environment but not a ton of guidance beyond that. Does anyone who has been through a similar process have any advice to share? I don’t come from a sales/ pre sales background so this is new to me.

like

What’s a good salary range for senior-level pre-sales leadership position for pre-ipo start ups? The title is senior manager but directly reports to the head of sales for that vertical. I assume it’s similar to director positions.

like

Started as an SC two months ago and it seems like people rarely work past 3pm on West Coast. I’m not mad about it but is this normal?

like

Curious what everyone's salary, OTE, and total comp is based on experience.

Assuming my review is good, should I ask for more base, higher OTE for a larger bonus, or more immediately vested equity?

Base: $130k
OTE: $190k
Health & dental: 100% covered
Fully remote
Equity after one year 25%, then accrued monthly for 3 years until 100% vested
YoE in SaaS: 3 years (worked in a different industry for 12 years)

like

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Send download link to your phone

OR

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Messaging rates may apply

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal