District Systems Engineer

Summary

Palo Alto Networks is a cybersecurity company focused on protecting digital environments with innovative security solutions. The District Systems Engineer partners with sales teams and customers to design, demonstrate, and implement network, cloud, and security operations architectures, while driving adoption, technical discovery, proof-of-concept engagements, and customer success. The role also develops strategic customer relationships, mentors Systems Engineers, and serves as a technical leader across the Palo Alto Networks security portfolio.

Responsibilities

• Partnering with sales teams to meet and exceed sales quotas by building and implementing strategic technical account plans
• Positioning, demonstrating, and designing security architectures across the Palo Alto Networks portfolio based on customer business needs and architecting complex environments, including network security, security operations, and cloud security
• Driving customer adoption of the Palo Alto Networks security platform by helping customers achieve enhanced security, operational efficiency, and business flexibility
• Conducting technical discovery to understand customer requirements and aligning solutions to their specific needs
• Leading proof-of-concept (PoC) engagements, technical workshops, and product demonstrations to showcase the capabilities of our security platform
• Collaborating with Professional Services, Customer Success, and Specialist teams to ensure seamless implementation and adoption of solutions
• Effectively communicating complex security concepts to a variety of stakeholders, from technical practitioners to executive leadership
• Orchestrating supporting resources (Specialists, Channel Partners, Customer Support) to drive a unified strategy for customer success
• Promoting end-to-end security solutions, including Palo Alto Networks and partner professional services, to maximize customer security posture and business value
• Staying ahead of industry trends, competitive landscapes, and emerging security threats to position Palo Alto Networks as the cybersecurity leader
• Continuously investing in personal development to enhance technical expertise and professional skills while actively contributing to the District Systems Engineer community and industry events
• Demonstrating diversity in technical knowledge across SOC, Cloud, Networking, and NetSec, with an emphasis on SOC and Cloud, to drive cross-training and develop platform expertise across the team
• Becoming a technical leader with the desire to grow into a Palo Alto Networks portfolio architect, gaining expertise from NGFW to SASE, SOC, Cloud, and Unit 42 consulting services
• Balancing technical acumen with strategic thinking-acting as one part technical architect and one part CTO
• Building and maintaining strong relationships while demonstrating strong consulting skills
• Understanding the competitive landscape deeply, at least in your area of specialty
• Designing and architecting large, complex environments, leveraging expertise in your technical domain
• Developing strong business acumen with near-term potential to grow into CTO/CIO/CISO-level leadership
• Willingness to travel up to 50% within the assigned district
• Serving as a role model and mentor for inside Systems Engineers

Skills

• 3+ years of experience in pre-sales/sales engineering and/or completion of the SC Academy
• Understanding of data networking, security architectures, and modern cloud computing environments
• Experience in delivering cybersecurity solutions that solve technical challenges and influence new business initiatives is preferred
• Influencing and gaining buy-in from key stakeholders, either in a customer-facing or internal role; prior experience in a pre-sales role is ideal
• Creating and delivering technical presentations, workshops, or technical validation engagements
• Experience in selling, designing, implementing, or managing one or more of the following solutions: Network Security, SASE, SaaS, CNAPP and/or SOC Transformation Technologies
• Partnering with Customer Support functions to ensure successful implementation and adoption of sold solutions
• Experience in complex sales involving long sales processes with multiple buying centers and multi-product solutions are preferred
• This is a field sales position where travel requirements may be required to support in person customer meetings, please discuss with the recruiter on the specifics for this position
• Proficient in English

Qualifications

Must Haves

• 3+ years of experience in pre-sales/sales engineering and/or completion of the SC Academy
• Understanding of data networking, security architectures, and modern cloud computing environments
• Experience in delivering cybersecurity solutions that solve technical challenges and influence new business initiatives is preferred
• Influencing and gaining buy-in from key stakeholders, either in a customer-facing or internal role; prior experience in a pre-sales role is ideal
• Creating and delivering technical presentations, workshops, or technical validation engagements
• Experience in selling, designing, implementing, or managing one or more of the following solutions: Network Security, SASE, SaaS, CNAPP and/or SOC Transformation Technologies
• Partnering with Customer Support functions to ensure successful implementation and adoption of sold solutions
• Experience in complex sales involving long sales processes with multiple buying centers and multi-product solutions are preferred
• This is a field sales position where travel requirements may be required to support in person customer meetings, please discuss with the recruiter on the specifics for this position
• Proficient in English

Benefits

• Base salary + commission target for sales/commissioned roles
• Restricted stock units may be included in the offered compensation
• A bonus may be included in the offered compensation
• This role is remote
• Hybrid teams collaborate across geographies