Sales Engineer (NYC)

At Coactive, a Sales Engineer plays a crucial role in bridging the gap between technical capabilities and client success. Your responsibilities include leading technical engagements, conducting demos, and providing workshops that showcase the business value of our innovative AI solutions. As part of the Solutions team, you'll collaborate closely with our sales and customer success teams to ensure our clients receive optimal support and value.

To qualify for the Sales Engineer position at Coactive, candidates generally need a BS in Computer Science or a related field, along with at least 5 years of experience in technical pre-sales or post-sales roles. Familiarity with Python coding is preferred, and experience in delivering technical solutions, especially related to analytics or AI products, is highly advantageous.

Coactive supports its Sales Engineers by providing comprehensive training and resources. This includes access to technical materials to aid in sales processes, mentorship opportunities, and a collaborative environment where feedback from the field is valued. The goal is to ensure Sales Engineers have all the tools needed to effectively engage and support prospective clients.

Coactive stands out as an attractive workplace for Sales Engineers due to its innovative approach to visual data and its focus on employee growth. With equity grants, 100% medical benefits, unlimited PTO, and a vibrant company culture that promotes social interactions, Coactive fosters an environment where employees feel valued and are encouraged to thrive professionally and personally.

At Coactive, a Sales Engineer can expect a clear path for career progression. Starting in this role provides foundational experiences that can lead to senior technical positions, managerial roles within the Solutions team, or cross-functional opportunities in other departments such as product management or customer success. The company encourages professional development and recognizes talent from within.

When approaching a technical sales demo as a Sales Engineer, it’s essential to first understand the client’s specific needs and pain points. You should tailor your presentation to address these concerns, focusing on how Coactive’s solutions can provide measurable business value. Engaging the audience with interactive elements and real-world use cases can also enhance your demo effectiveness.

Handling objections effectively requires active listening and empathy. Acknowledge the customer's concerns, provide relevant evidence or case studies to mitigate those concerns, and demonstrate how Coactive's solutions can meet their needs. Being prepared with your responses can significantly increase your chances of overcoming objections successfully.

In the pre-sales context, discussing your coding experience should focus on how it helped you design or develop solutions that addressed customer needs. Share examples of coding projects in Python or similar languages that contributed to creating demos or solutions that were pivotal in closing deals. Highlighting your technical competency can build trust with potential clients.

When describing a successful engagement, provide a detailed overview of your role, the client's initial challenges, and how you proposed a tailored solution. Discuss the steps you took to ensure the engagement was productive, such as preparing customized demos and validating their needs through regular communication. It’s vital to demonstrate how your involvement led to a successful partnership.

To effectively manage multiple clients, you should employ time-management strategies such as setting clear priorities based on urgency and importance. Utilize tools for scheduling and tracking progress while ensuring consistent communication with all clients regarding timelines and expectations. This approach minimizes delays and enhances customer satisfaction.

Familiarity with various technical sales tools is crucial for a Sales Engineer. Share your experience with customer relationship management (CRM) systems like Salesforce, demo platforms, and project management tools. Discuss how you’ve leveraged these tools to streamline processes, keep track of leads, and enhance collaboration with your sales team.

Communicating complex technical information to non-technical audiences requires clarity and simplicity. Use analogies or relatable examples that resonate with the audience's experience. Focus on the benefits and outcomes of the technology rather than diving deep into technical jargon. Practice active engagement to ensure understanding through questions and discussions.

When asked about contributing to a team’s success, describe specific actions you took to aid in achieving team goals, such as leading training sessions for team members or providing valuable insights from your technical expertise. Highlight how your collaboration and support helped facilitate successful outcomes in projects or sales.

When questioned about trends in the AI and analytics field, discuss current innovations such as advancements in machine learning techniques or the increasing importance of data governance and ethics. Share how these trends align with Coactive's mission and how you envision leveraging these developments to benefit clients.

In your response to why you want to work with Coactive, express your passion for combining technical expertise with client engagement to drive innovation in AI. Highlight the company's pioneering role in handling visual data and emphasize your desire to contribute to its mission and growth while continuing to develop your skills in a dynamic environment.