Principal Sales Engineer

Its fun to work in a company where people truly BELIEVE in what theyre doing!

Job Description Summary:

The Principal Sales Engineer Vertica is a highly experienced technical leader responsible for driving technical success across complex high-value sales opportunities for Rocket Softwares Vertica analytics platform.

This role combines deep analytical database expertise advanced presales execution and strategic customer engagement partnering closely with Account Executives Solutions Architects and partners to deliver differentiated high-impact solutions.

As a senior technical authority within the sales organisation the Principal Sales Engineer leads complex solution design proof-of-concept execution and competitive positioning while influencing deal strategy and customer outcomes. The role requires the ability to operate independently across multiple strategic opportunities translating deep technical insights into clear business value and accelerating revenue growth.

Key Responsibilities:

Technical Sales Leadership

• Act as the technical lead on complex and strategic sales opportunities partnering with Account Executives to shape and close deals
• Influence deal strategy technical win themes and competitive positioning
• Engage confidently with both senior technical stakeholders and business decision-makers
• Drive alignment between customer requirements and Verticas value proposition

Solution Design & Technical Validation

• Design and deliver high-impact technical presentations demonstrations and solution architectures
• Own the technical qualification and validation process across opportunities
• Provide guidance on architecture design scalability and performance considerations
• Lead technical deep dives workshops and whiteboarding sessions with customers

Proof of Concept & Benchmark Execution

• Lead the design execution and optimisation of POCs and performance benchmarks under tight timelines
• Build realistic data models workloads and evaluation frameworks aligned to customer environments
• Translate query performance compression and throughput metrics into compelling business outcomes
• Clearly articulate Verticas differentiation versus competing solutions

Data Architecture & Modern Data Stack Integration

• Engage deeply in customer discussions around data platforms analytics architecture and modernization initiatives
• Position Vertica within modern ecosystems including:
  • Ingestion: Kafka Spark
  • Storage: S3 HDFS
  • Consumption: Tableau Power BI Looker
• Advise on data modelling ETL/ELT pipelines governance and data quality practices

Hands-on Technical Execution

• Write and optimise complex analytical SQL queries for large-scale workloads
• Develop scripts (Python shell) to support automation benchmarking and demo setup
• Configure and deploy Vertica environments across on-premises hybrid and cloud platforms
• Troubleshoot performance bottlenecks and optimise query execution

Partner & Ecosystem Collaboration

• Collaborate with cloud providers (AWS Azure GCP) GSIs and VARs to deliver joint solutions
• Support co-sell motions and partner-led opportunities
• Contribute to partner enablement and technical alignment

Mentorship & Team Contribution

• Provide guidance and mentorship to Sales Engineers supporting skill development and best practices
• Share reusable assets tools and learnings across the Sales Engineering community
• Contribute to continuous improvement of technical sales processes and methodologies

Experience and Qualifications:

Core Experience

• 812 years of experience in sales engineering presales or technical consulting roles
• Proven track record as a technical lead on complex enterprise sales cycles
• Strong experience with analytical database platforms (columnar MPP OLAP) such as:
  • Vertica Teradata Greenplum ClickHouse or equivalent

Analytical Database & Performance Expertise

• Deep expertise in analytical database architectures query optimisation and workload management
• Demonstrated success designing and executing POCs and performance benchmarks
• Ability to translate technical results into business-impact narratives

Data Architecture & Integration Knowledge

• Strong understanding of modern data stack components including:
  • Data ingestion frameworks (Kafka Spark)
  • Storage layers (S3 HDFS)
  • BI and visualisation tools (Tableau Looker Power BI)
• Ability to position Vertica within complex enterprise data ecosystems

SQL Scripting & Technical Skills

• Advanced proficiency in ANSI SQL and analytical query optimisation
• Experience with SQL dialects such as PL/SQL T-SQL
• Practical experience using Python or shell scripting for automation and data processing

Data Engineering & Platform Expertise

• Strong knowledge of:
  • Data warehousing and Data Lake analytics
  • Data modelling and schema design
  • ETL/ELT pipeline development
  • Data governance and data quality practices
• Experience working with cloud and hybrid infrastructures (AWS Azure GCP)

Emerging Technologies

• Working knowledge of:
  • AI/ML integrations in data platforms
  • Data wrangling techniques
  • Model Context Protocol (MCP) and modern data workflows

Customer Engagement & Communication

• Strong presentation storytelling and consultative selling skills
• Ability to engage and influence both technical and business stakeholders
• Proven ability to manage technical objections and drive customer confidence

Collaboration & Execution

• Proven ability to work cross-functionally with Sales Solutions Architects Product and Engineering teams
• Experience supporting partner ecosystems (GSIs VARs infrastructure vendors)
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent high-priority opportunities

Key Competencies

• Advanced problem-solving and analytical thinking
• Leadership through influence and technical credibility
• Strong customer focus and business acumen
• Ability to operate independently in complex fast-paced sales environments
• Continuous learning mindset and adaptability

Information Security

Information security is everyones responsibility. A fundamental principle of information security at Rocket Software is that all individuals are responsible for the security and protection of company information and IT resources according to their role.

Diversity Inclusion & Equity

At Rocket Software we are committed to an inclusive workplace environment where every employee can thrive by bringing their full selves to work.

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Rocket Software Inc. is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color religion gender gender identity or expression sexual orientation national origin genetics disability age or veteran status. Rocket Software Inc. is also committed to compliance with all fair employment practices regarding citizenship and immigration status.

At Rocket Software we believe AI is a critical enabler of innovation and productivity. All Rocketeers are expected to actively leverage AI-powered tools and technologies where appropriate to enhance efficiency improve decision-making and deliver greater impact in their roles. Embracing continuous learning and the responsible use of AI is an essential part of how we work.

As part of our commitment to a safe and trustworthy workplace we include background and reference checks in our hiring process.

Rocket is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with physical and mental disabilities. If you need special assistance or an accommodation while seeking employment please call: or send an email to We will make a determination on your request for reasonable accommodation on a case-by-case basis.

If you like wild growth and working with happy enthusiastic over-achievers youll enjoy your career with us!

Required Experience:

Staff IC

Employment Type : Full-Time
Experience: years
Vacancy: 1