Manager, Sales Engineering - Data Security - Central & Southeast U.S.

Proofpoint is seeking a Sales Engineering Manager (SEM) to lead a rapidly growing team of Sales Engineers specializing in Data Security across the Central and Southeast regions of the Americas. The SEM will be customer-facing, technically hands-on, and focused on enabling their team's success. This role involves coaching, mentoring, and developing experienced Specialist Sales Engineers, actively participating in customer escalations, and partnering with sales management to achieve technical wins and ensure customer satisfaction. Candidates should have prior sales engineering experience and a background in data security or risk & governance.

Must Have

• Coach, enable, and empower a team of experienced Specialist Sales Engineers
• Ramp newer team members on rules of engagement and technical training
• Develop and mentor team members to achieve career goals
• Actively participate in escalations and resolve customer challenges
• Partner with Recruiting and HR to attract, hire, and retain top talent
• Be customer facing, frequently attending meetings with team members
• Inspire Data Security SEs to become better story engineers
• Work collaboratively with Sales, Professional Services, Support, Engineering, and Product Management
• Formulate best practices for presentations, demos, evaluations, and sales strategy
• Act as a trusted advisor to higher level management on strategic opportunity reviews
• Participate in ongoing technical training alongside your team
• Evangelize the Proofpoint vision to customers and prospects
• Engage with customers and formulate strategies for target accounts when needed
• Build relationships/partner with Sales Management and Sales Teams
• Build relationships/partner with Product and Marketing teams
• Track and maintain accurate records of SE engagements
• Establish a regular cadence with SEs to provide feedback and discuss improvements
• Complete periodic and yearly performance reviews
• Partner with Professional Services and Customer Success for outstanding customer experience
• Become a student of Proofpoint's security and risk platform
• Travel between 25-75% within the region
• Minimum 2+ years of proven experience in leading/mentoring/developing sales engineering teams
• Previous experience within a specialist/overlay sales structure
• Strong, related technical background in cyber-security such as Enterprise DLP, Data Security Posture Management and Insider Threat Management
• Solid sales acumen and ability to partner with account teams
• Proven ability to command a room and lead complex technical and business conversations with C-suite executives and technical staff

Good to Have

• Previous experience as a sales engineer, preferred 4-6 years of experience
• CISSP or similar industry certification

Perks & Benefits

• Competitive compensation
• Comprehensive benefits
• Learning & Development programs (leadership, professional development, stretch projects, mentoring)
• Flexible work environment
• Annual wellness and community outreach days
• Always on recognition for your contributions
• Global collaboration and networking opportunities

Manager, Sales Engineering - Data Security - Central & Southeast U.S.

About Us:

We are the leader in human-centric cybersecurity. Half a million customers, including 87 of the Fortune 100, rely on Proofpoint to protect their organizations. We’re driven by a mission to stay ahead of bad actors and safeguard the digital world. Join us in our pursuit to defend data and protect people.

How We Work:

At Proofpoint, you’ll be part of a global team that breaks barriers to redefine cybersecurity, guided by our BRAVE core values: Bold in how we dream and innovate, Responsive to feedback, challenges, and opportunities, Accountable for results and best-in-class outcomes, Visionary in future-focused problem-solving, Exceptional in execution and impact.

The Role and the Team

Proofpoint is looking for Sales Engineering Manager (SEM) to lead a fast-growing team of Sales Engineers focused on Data Security covering the Americas Central and Southeast regions. Our SEMs lead from the front, are customer facing, are hands on technical, and focused on enabling and empowering their teams to be successful. Candidates should have experience leading/mentoring Sales Engineering teams, prior experience as a sales engineer, and a track record of being involved in complex customer deals. We prefer a background in data security or risk & governance.

• You will coach, enable, and empower a team of experienced Specialist Sales Engineers:
• Strengthen the team by setting shared goals, information sharing, and establishing mentoring relationships
• Ramp newer members of the team on rules of engagement, building a relationship with their Specialist Sales Reps, technical training, and showing them how to become self-sufficient
• Develop and mentor your team to help them achieve their career goals, ideally here at Proofpoint
• Active part of escalations and resolving customer challenges
• Partner with Recruiting and HR to attract, hire and retain top talent to support our rapid growth
• Be customer facing! Frequently attend meetings with members of your team!
• Inspire Data Security SEs to become a better story engineer by leveraging past field experiences and lessons learned on angles (pain points, use cases), unique ways to win, and competitive scenarios
• Work collaboratively with other groups, including Sales, Professional Services, Support, Engineering, and Product Management, to ensure effective operation of your team, achieve the technical win, and ensure ongoing customer satisfaction
• Formulate best practices for presentations, demos, and evaluations as well as overall sales strategy
• Act as a trusted advisor to higher level management on strategic opportunity reviews, emerging competitive threats, product direction, and establishing sales objectives and strategies
• Participate in the ongoing technical training alongside your team
• Evangelize the Proofpoint vision to customers and prospects at all levels, from technical to C-suite
• Put your individual contributor hat on when needed, engage with customers, and help formulate strategies for target accounts
• Build relationships/partner with Sales Management and Sales Teams to acquire/grow accounts
• Build relationships/partner with Product and Marketing teams to help prioritize technical features and prefect go-to-market strategy
• Track and maintain accurate records of SE engagements and effectively communicate this to management
• Establishes a regular cadence with SEs to provide feedback on opportunities, discuss areas of improvement (skill developments) in technical areas, and closely works with Sr. SE Leadership on a growth plan
• Responsible for completing periodic and yearly performance reviews
• Partner with other groups such as Professional Services and Customer Success to help us continue our tradition of an outstanding customer experience and industry leading customer retention
• Become a student of our security and risk platform
• The role will require travel between 25-75% within the region

Job Requirements:

• Minimum 2+ years of proven track record and experience in leading/mentoring/developing sales engineering teams and guiding them to success; ideally in the Data Security area
• Previous experience within a specialist/overlay sales structure
• Previous experience as a sales engineer, preferred 4-6 years of experience
• You can thrive in a fast paced, high energy environment
• Good understanding of the Cybersecurity market landscape and competition, ideally in the Data Security area
• Strong, related technical background in cyber-security such as Enterprise DLP, Data Security Posture Management and Insider Threat Management
• Solid sales acumen, and ability to partner with account teams to drive new customer sales as well as add-on revenue
• Lead from the front style, and ability to roll up your sleeves and get technical
• Ability to work independently, adapt quickly and maintain a positive attitude
• Proven ability to command a room, lead complex technical and business conversations with C-suite executives, as well as technical staff
• Bachelor’s or advanced degree in relevant field, or equivalent experience
• CISSP or similar industry certification optional
• Travel required in this role

Why Proofpoint? At Proofpoint, we believe that an exceptional career experience includes a comprehensive compensation and benefits package. Here are just a few reasons you’ll love working with us:

• Competitive compensation
• Comprehensive benefits
• Learning & Development: We are committed to the growth and development of our team members, offering a range of programs including leadership and professional development workshops, stretch project assignments, and mentoring opportunities to help employees reach their full potential.
• Flexible work environment: [Remote options, hybrid schedules, flexible hours, etc.].
• Annual wellness and community outreach days
• Always on recognition for your contributions
• Global collaboration and networking opportunities

Our Culture:

Our culture is rooted in values that inspire belonging, empower purpose and drive success-every day, for everyone. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. If you need accommodation during the application or interview process, please reach out to accessibility@proofpoint.com. How to Apply Interested? Submit your application here https://www.proofpoint.com/us/company/careers. We can’t wait to hear from you!

Proofpoint Best Places to Work Awards

Best Career Growth, Best Company Outlook, Best Global Culture, Best Engineering Teams, Best Sales Teams, and Best HR Teams.

About Us

We are the leader in human-centric cybersecurity. Half a million customers, including 87 of the Fortune 100, rely on Proofpoint to protect their organizations. We’re driven by a mission to stay ahead of bad actors and safeguard the digital world. Join us in our pursuit to defend data and protect people.

Our BRAVE Values:

At Proofpoint, we are BRAVE in everything we do, and our values aren’t just words—they shape how we work, collaborate, and grow.

We seek people who are bold enough to challenge the status quo, responsive in the face of ever-evolving threats, and accountable for delivering real impact.

We value those with a visionary mindset who anticipate what’s next and push cybersecurity forward, and we celebrate exceptional execution that ensures we continue to defend data and protect people.

Proofpoint is an equal opportunity employer, we hire without consideration to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status or disability.

Build Meaningful Connections:

Find your network, your allies, and your biggest fans. We know that work is simply better when you’re surrounded by people who inspire you—who share ideas, cheer you on, and genuinely want to see you succeed. That’s why we offer social circles, sponsored networks, and connection points across teams and time zones—to help you find your people, build your community, and thrive together.

Do Your Best Work:

This isn’t just a job—it’s a mission to protect people and defend data in a world that never slows down. We’re building the future of human-centric cybersecurity, and that future belongs to all of us. We take ownership, move fast, and hold ourselves accountable—because that’s what it takes to stay ahead. And we do it together, winning as one.

Build success on your terms:

Be empowered to reach your full potential through meaningful challenges and personalized support—designed around you and your goals. Whether you're growing as a leader or leveling up from great to exceptional as an individual contributor, we’re here to help you get there.