Calling all Sales Engineers!
I notice there is a lot of info for developers on this app but wanted to ask any sales engineers (solution consultants/solution engineers) to voice how they like their company, pay, happiness level, recruiting experiences etc! We are a fairly new and sometimes unknown role in the industry so let’s connect! #sales #enterprise #salesengineer
Well, I'm currently a SWE about to begin my first round of interviews with a series B startup for a sales engineer position, so I can at the least let you know what the interview process is like as it progresses! First interview is Friday.
What was it like
@vapOTranz I was also wondering about a group chat.
What are typical TCs for advanced roles in this area?
On Blind? Probably $1M TC. LOL! Glassdoor has a sample size of almost 9k salaries -- that I assume are the base not TC b/c the variable bonus is not a salary -- and it puts the mean at $88k. But for FAANGs, like Google, that is basically their minimum, so probably a Junior or someone with no pre-sales experience. I have 8 YoE in pre-sales and am at 250k TC. 20 YoE in tech total. But word of advice: after sitting on several interview committees, candidates assume tech YoE will get them advanced/senior pay in pre-sales. That doesn't always happen. It's different types of YoE ... if a smart techie has poor "softskillz", you'll get a ding from me as feedback to the hiring manager. Some pre-sales skills can be taught but sometimes it's not worth the effort. Ex: cannot tie tech to biz needs, nervous while presenting to a group, doesn't own & lead the convo, bores the audience, etc. It's hard to fix a smart techie who speaks in monotone and frowns on webcam! :)
@red hat do you mind me asking your breakdown of 250k with how much is equity vs variable vs base? And what location? Typically TC on blind Includes equity, which can be tricky as that can also be looked at across 4 year vesting.
Current OTE is 220k (55 variable, 165 base) Senior role, 5+ years in role Bay Area Got a pay range from a recruiter for 180 OTE (144k base) Senior band The variable amount has me very confused. Would love to hear others so I feel more confident in negotiations.
Variable is the "bonus" tied to the quota of the accounts you'd be working. It's usually an assumption of 100% quota attainment, and varies based on sales performance. Despite "real" engineers thinking SEs or Sales do nothing or do go golfing :), our TC is tied to actual product / service sold. Engineers can be paid for a product that's never sold :O Though we all know that won't last long (b/c the company will go bankrupt, but I digress). Not so in the world of sales. Here's what I'd ask: 1. which accounts would you be covering? 2. what's the past sales performance of these accounts? 3. which products / services would you be covering? 4. what's the past sales performance of these products? Actual account may be hard to get during interview / negotiation, unless you know an insider at the company. You could check for public customer references. If the hiring company has no customers going public about the product you'll be selling, that may be a red flag. If the company is public, you can get really close to the sales performance per product by reading in-between the lines of SEC filings, analyst calls, etc. Hope that helps on what the variable bonus component is for our TC, and how to find out how "variable" it can be. ... P.S. notice "assumption of 100% attainment". If you exceed the goal, so 120%, then you'll be paid _more_. And vice versa, if you don't meet the goal, then that's the risk to your TC.
Sorry, when I said “variable” I meant the difference between the two amounts (what I make and what is being offered). I’ve had numerous recruiting calls-and just found the data is less consistent and more “variable” for our role. I know what variable comp is for an SE. But you made a good point about customer testimonials for pre IPO companies that I’ll double check on.
AWS SA for Strategic Accounts here.
What's the TC like for AI / ML accounts? 3yoe. Recruiter keeps pinging me. Worked with several big name cos in the industry.
There's not AI/ML accounts per say. However, there are specialist SA roles. With 3 YOE you'll most likely be picked for L5 level roles. I guess, depending on COL 220-300K
I've been an SA in the past and I'm currently looking for SA/SE roles. I'm currently at $160k TC (all base). Had an interview recently for SA at Twilio. They said the offer would likely be $210-220k TC for my low cost of living area. They passed on me though. The recruiting/interview experience was great. Would recommend.
How many years of experience do you have as an SE? Did you 220k include equity? If not and that was your OTE that seems high for a low cost of living area. If you don’t mind me asking what was the OTE they offered (Base plus variable). Twilio also reached out.
14 YoE about 12 in a consulting context. Base + equity. They don't offer a bonus.
Doing sales engineering for Ansys. Recently transitioned into Software Pre-Sales. Not really happy with the TC. Moving to Bay Area coz of wife... so would like to explore options in a few months.. current TC 125k Yoe 6years
Hello fellow SC/SEs
Hey @DMeDxCC how do you like being an SC at Adobe?
Remote SE for Seattle based company. LCOL city in the midwest with total comp ~$175k. Happy with my situation. SE/SA Is a fun, underrated role.
YOE? Tips for someone breaking into SE soon? Wasn't a SWE so looking to brush up on my technical side
Spotted! :) Is there a way to connect? There's no group or chat that's specific to a role, AFAIK.
I was at IBM for a while. Is RedHat as underpaid as IBM? I heard the company is mostly operating on its own still. I was IBM Band 8 @120k.
Yea, AFAIK compensation is still independent. RH sales doesn't have "bands". Blind's use of "L6" and "B8" must only apply to FAANGs, but I don't know. RH SE/SAs have seniority titles that are tied to base, and there are 6 titles IIRC (Junior, Associate, Senior, Staff, Principal, Sr Principal). But the variable bonus is dependent entirely on accounts being covered.