Director, Solutions Engineering - Pre-Sales

SambaNova’s mission is to be the number 1 platform for business AI. We are a full-stack provider of AI-specific chips, software, and models that come together to help every organization accelerate their AI journey.

This role presents a unique opportunity to shape the future of AI and the value it can unlock across every aspect of an organization’s business and operations. As customers evaluate and implement AI solutions, this team will provide technical leadership and guidance about SambaNova Systems products. This is a high-visibility role leading our team, which works with our most strategic accounts. This role allows for both external and internal collaboration across sales, development, and product to ensure a smooth prospect evaluation and buying experience. 

Job Description 

SambaNova is hiring a Director, Solutions Engineer (a.k.a. Sales Engineering or Customer Engineering) to lead the team that is responsible for the success of specific prospects as they discover and evaluate solutions with SambaNova Systems. You will work with sales and prospect stakeholders to make sure everything involving their technical evaluation and buying experience goes smoothly.  

The ideal candidate will have extensive, hands-on experience in AI/ML solution architecture, prototype development, and managing technical customer relationships in enterprise, cloud systems, or software, paired with strong relationship and collaborative skills to engage with others and achieve trusted advisor status.

This person will be responsible for:

• Leading and enabling a global team of solution engineering professionals
• Building and maintaining technical relationships with prospective clients
• Technical discovery, qualification, and impact quantification 
• Aid prospective clients in understanding the benefits and path to adoption of SambaNova Systems
• Managing and executing prototype/PoC development and driving prospective clients to a “technical win”
• White space analysis and solution design with prospective clients about how AI can solve their unique business challenges or enhance their business insight
• Represent SambaNova at trade shows and industry events
  

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelors in Computer Science, Data Engineering, or related fields or equivalent experience
• Minimum of 5 years of AI/ML customer-facing experience. AI/ML experience is a hard requirement, not optional.
• Demonstrated experience in leading and building a global technical team that has successfully partnered with the sales team to guide successful customer outcomes
• Ability to travel up to 50% nationally and internationally
• Willingness to support a global business, requiring flexibility in working hours

Additional Required Qualifications

• Strong people and technical leadership achieved through collaboration and flexibility
• Experience with AI/ML model development, porting, and optimization
• Experience with AI/ML model performance analysis, development of PoCs/evaluations of models
• Familiarity with server system deployment concerns/requirements in data centers
• Experience with API-driven integration and solution design
• A take-charge attitude with a desire to own the success of the prospect’s technical buying experience and willingness to partner with sales staff in message crafting and delivery
• Experience in a consultative or technical sales environment
• A team player who demonstrates humility and a desire to collaborate with teammates around the world to design better customer solutions and experiences
• A current or lapsed Solution Architect or Enterprise Architect certification from any provider
• Experience with AWS, GCP, or other MLOps platforms/capabilities
• Experience working in a high-growth startup

Preferred Qualifications

• A team player who demonstrates humility
• Action-oriented with a focus on speed & results
• Ability to thrive in a no-boundaries culture & make an impact on innovation
  

Annual Salary Range and Level

The base salary for this position ranges from $200,000.00/year up to $217,000/year. This range is based on role, level, and location and reflects the salary target for new hires in the US. Individual pay within the range will depend on a number of factors, including a candidate’s job-related qualifications, skills, competencies, experience, and location.This role also includes a variable component based on direct sales.

Benefits Summary

SambaNova offers a competitive total rewards package, including the base salary, plus equity and benefits. We cover 95% premium coverage for employee medical insurance, and 80% premium coverage for dependents, and we offer a Health Savings Account (HSA) with employer contribution. We also offer Dental, Vision, Short/Long term Disability, Basic Life, Voluntary Life and AD&D insurance plans in addition to Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options like Health Care, Limited Purpose, and Dependent Care. Our library of well-being benefits includes a full subscription to Headspace, access to One Medical, counseling services with an Employee Assistance Program, and much more.

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