The role involves driving technical engagement in pre-sales, delivering presentations, and developing account strategies in networking solutions.
As the global leader in high-speed connectivity, Ciena is committed to a people-first approach. Our teams enjoy a culture focused on prioritizing a flexible work environment that empowers individual growth, well-being, and belonging. We’re a technology company that leads with our humanity—driving our business priorities alongside meaningful social, community, and societal impact.
Ciena is seeking a UK Markets Senior System Engineer (Pre-Sales) to play a critical role in shaping customer outcomes through technical leadership and trusted partnership. This position sits at the intersection of advanced networking technology and customer strategy, enabling service providers and enterprises across the UK to build adaptive, high-performance networks.
How you will make an impact:
• Drive technical engagement with prospective and existing customers to understand business challenges and translate them into differentiated networking solutions
• Deliver compelling technical presentations, demonstrations, and proofs of concept across Ciena’s portfolio, aligned to customer objectives
• Partner closely with sales leadership to develop account strategies, identify growth opportunities, and support revenue expansion
• Lead deep technical discussions and solution design, addressing customer requirements with clarity and confidence
• Act as a trusted technical advisor, building long-term relationships with key customer stakeholders
• Resolve complex technical challenges throughout the pre-sales lifecycle with a structured, consultative approach
• Maintain deep awareness of market trends, competitor solutions, and Ciena’s product roadmap
• Deliver compelling technical presentations, demonstrations, and proofs of concept across Ciena’s portfolio, aligned to customer objectives
• Partner closely with sales leadership to develop account strategies, identify growth opportunities, and support revenue expansion
• Lead deep technical discussions and solution design, addressing customer requirements with clarity and confidence
• Act as a trusted technical advisor, building long-term relationships with key customer stakeholders
• Resolve complex technical challenges throughout the pre-sales lifecycle with a structured, consultative approach
• Maintain deep awareness of market trends, competitor solutions, and Ciena’s product roadmap
The must haves:
• 8+ years of experience in technical pre-sales, systems engineering, or a related role within the telecommunications or networking industry
• Proven expertise in optical networking, packet networking, and software-defined networking (SDN)
• Strong customer-facing communication skills, with the ability to explain complex concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences
• Demonstrated success delivering high-impact technical presentations and solution demonstrations
• Solid understanding of the technical sales cycle and customer acquisition strategies
• Strong problem-solving skills with a methodical, analytical approach
• Ability to influence technical decision-making and align solutions to customer and business needs
• Proven expertise in optical networking, packet networking, and software-defined networking (SDN)
• Strong customer-facing communication skills, with the ability to explain complex concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences
• Demonstrated success delivering high-impact technical presentations and solution demonstrations
• Solid understanding of the technical sales cycle and customer acquisition strategies
• Strong problem-solving skills with a methodical, analytical approach
• Ability to influence technical decision-making and align solutions to customer and business needs
Nice to haves:
• Experience supporting UK service provider or large enterprise customers
• Background in leading or supporting technical negotiations
• Exposure to automation, network management, or analytics-driven networking solutions
• Experience delivering customer or partner technical training sessions
• Familiarity with multi-vendor networking environments
• Comfort working in complex, matrixed sales organizations
• Background in leading or supporting technical negotiations
• Exposure to automation, network management, or analytics-driven networking solutions
• Experience delivering customer or partner technical training sessions
• Familiarity with multi-vendor networking environments
• Comfort working in complex, matrixed sales organizations
#LI-ST1
At Ciena, we are committed to building and fostering an environment in which our employees feel respected, valued, and heard. Ciena values the diversity of its workforce and respects its employees as individuals. We do not tolerate any form of discrimination.
Ciena is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status.
If contacted in relation to a job opportunity, please advise Ciena of any accommodation measures you may require.
Top Skills
Optical Networking
Packet Networking
Software-Defined Networking (Sdn)
Ciena London, England Office
43 Worship Street, London, United Kingdom, EC2A 2
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