# Systems Sales Engineering Manager at Forward Networks

> United States · Manager · Engineering management · open. Source: https://alderhq.app/jobs/greenhouse%3Aforwardnetworks%3A7681155003 (read 2026-11-06).

## Facts (observed)

- Company: [Forward Networks](https://alderhq.app/companies/forward-networks)
- Location text: Santa Clara, CA; Santa Clara
- Where it can be done from (inferred): United States (evidence: "Location: Santa Clara, CA; Santa Clara")
- Posted: 2026-05-07 (183 days ago)
- First seen by alder: 2026-11-02 · last verified: 2026-11-04
- Reposted: 0 times · edited: 0 times
- Apply on the employer's site: https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/forwardnetworks/jobs/7681155003

## Pay and sponsorship

- Posted pay: not posted
- Market band for similar posted roles (SF Bay Area, n 217): p25 $239k, median $262k, p75 $300k
- H-1B filings at this company for similar roles, FY26: 2 ([US DOL OFLC LCA disclosure data](https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/foreign-labor/performance))

## Description (the employer's text)

Forward was founded in 2013 by four Stanford Ph.D.s, building the industry's first network digital twin: a mathematically accurate model of the production network. It's the foundation for autonomous networking, giving engineers and AI agents the ability to know the impact of every change before it touches production. That founding instinct still defines how we work. We're accurate and evidence-driven, relentless about clarity, and we'd rather be certain than comfortable, building a groundbreaking platform that transforms how teams run and secure networks across every major cloud and vendor environment.

Global leaders like Goldman Sachs, PayPal, S&P Global, IBM, and Dell trust Forward, alongside fast-growing enterprises and government agencies, realizing an average of $14.2 million in annual benefits, according to IDC. Backed by top-tier investors, including A. Capital, Andreessen Horowitz, Goldman Sachs, MSD Partners, Omega Venture Partners, Section 32, and Threshold Ventures, and headquartered in Santa Clara, we're most proud of our team: curious people who'd rather build what doesn't exist than accept how things have always been done.

### Forward Networks is looking for a Systems Sales Engineer Manager

- Do you want to create a category and help build a special company?
- Join a company that has been in market 7+ years and has some of the top Federal agencies and F500/Global 2000 already buying and referenceable.
- We are building a special team and hope you consider us if you want to have the experience of changing the networking world as we know it.
We're seeking an experienced Systems Sales Engineering Manager who will lead a team of Systems Sales Engineers while also serving as a hands-on technical expert. This is a hybrid role requiring both strong leadership capabilities and the technical depth to actively engage with customers as a practitioner—qualifying opportunities, providing technical leadership on key deals, and executing POCs directly.

### What You'll Do

### Management & Team Leadership

- Lead and manage a high-performing team of Systems Sales Engineers to achieve revenue and new business growth targets
- Develop and execute team strategies to drive revenue growth, expand market share, and build strong customer relationships
- Recruit, train, and mentor Systems Sales Engineers, providing ongoing coaching, feedback, and career development
- Manage team performance through data and analytics, setting clear goals and holding the team accountable to results
- Foster a collaborative environment where the team can thrive and continuously improve
### Technical Practitioner & Sales Leadership

- Actively engage as a technical authority on regional opportunities
- Qualify and scope opportunities directly alongside sales teams to assess fit and ensure technical feasibility
- Lead and execute POCs (Proof of Concepts) for key prospects, demonstrating deep technical expertise
- Serve as the technical lead on major pursuits, providing hands-on guidance and execution
- Provide technical guidance to the sales team, ensuring they have the knowledge, frameworks, and tools to succeed
- Develop and deliver compelling technical presentations and product demonstrations to prospective clients
### Cross-Functional Collaboration

- Partner with Product Management, Marketing, and Engineering to align sales strategies with company goals and product roadmap
- Gather customer insights from direct opportunity engagement to inform product decisions
- Stay current with industry trends, competitive landscapes, and technical best practices
- Provide recommendations for continuous improvement based on real-world customer interactions
### Requirements

- 7+ years of experience in software sales engineering, with a proven track record of success in driving revenue growth
- 3+ years of experience in a leadership role, managing a team of sales professionals
- Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to effectively convey technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to use data to drive decision-making

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Data: alder (https://alderhq.app). Cite https://alderhq.app/jobs/greenhouse%3Aforwardnetworks%3A7681155003 and the date you read it. Observed facts come from the employer's own listing; location reach, level, family and skills are inferences.