Solutions Engineering Manager, Defense

About the role

NetApp is looking for a Solutions Engineering (SE) Manager to lead its pre-sales team serving the U.S. Postal Service's Federal Department of War (DoW). The manager leads, mentors and develops a team of senior engineering experts who turn NetApp's intelligent data infrastructure into multi-year defense programs of record and mission command platforms. The role calls for strategic vision, operational discipline and a hands-on approach to coaching technical talent.

Key responsibilities

• Guide the SE team in designing secure, high-performance data architectures for joint-force programs and tactical edge deployments.
• Mentor and upskill the senior engineering team in emerging technologies such as AI, modern virtualization and cyber resiliency.
• Champion NetApp adoption in defense battle labs and prototyping environments to secure "designed-in" status early in the capture lifecycle.
• Help the team navigate DoD security boundaries and position NetApp securely within DoD Impact Levels (IL4/IL5/IL6).
• Drive precision in Salesforce (SFDC) hygiene, mapping pre-sales milestones, proof-of-concepts and architectural wins.

Required profile

• Active Top Secret (TS/SCI eligibility) clearance; strict requirement.
• Minimum 5 years of direct experience managing Solutions Engineering or pre-sales teams; strict requirement.
• 8+ years of technical sales or engineering experience in the DoD or federal sector; strict requirement.
• Must live in the Washington, DC / Maryland / Virginia (DMV) area for on-site collaboration with local defense headquarters.
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, engineering or equivalent practical defense/industry experience highly desired.

Required skills

• Deep familiarity with the Department of War structure, tactical military commands (COCOMs) and the defense acquisition landscape.
• Familiarity with tactical-edge data storage, hybrid multi-cloud and secure data services.
• Ability to translate complex technical architectures into clear outcomes for senior military leadership and defense integrators.

What we offer

• Target OTE of 287,300 - 338,000 USD, depending on location, qualifications, experience and education.
• Possible benefits including health insurance, life insurance, retirement or pension plans, paid time off, leave options, employee stock purchase plan and/or restricted stock units.
• A hybrid working environment with some in-office expectation.

Applications are submitted only through the company website; direct contact with employees, recruiters or HR does not affect the process. Some hiring stages may use AI tools to evaluate applications.