Senior Sales Engineer (Cybersecurity Strategic Accounts), Germany

The Senior Sales Engineer for Strategic Accounts in Germany is a critical business partner in the sales process at Proofpoint, a leader in human-centric cybersecurity. This role involves becoming a trusted advisor to Account Managers and customers, delivering People-Centric solutions to protect against cyber threats. Responsibilities include acting as the Technical Sales Lead, collaborating on account penetration strategies, designing complex security solutions, and providing customer insights to product teams. The role requires expertise in email security, advanced persistent threats, attack protection, data loss prevention, and the evolving threat landscape.

Must Have

• Proven hands-on experience in a customer-facing role (Sales/Systems Engineer, Technical Account Manager, Security Engineer, or senior product support)
• Proven experience in secure messaging, data security, network security, endpoint, NOC/SOC, or MSP-related cybersecurity
• Track record developing and maintaining customer relationships with large (Enterprise) clients/organizations
• Excellent communication skills and comfortable presenting to individuals and/or teams
• Ability to work independently, adapt quickly, and maintain a positive attitude
• Fluency in English and local regional language (German)

Good to Have

• Exposure to Enterprise email solutions such as Exchange, G-Suite, Lotus Domino, O365 or working knowledge of SMTP
• Experience with Email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC)
• Knowledge of Advanced Persistent Threats (APT) Protection
• Experience with IT security, vulnerability or risk assessments, and policy enforcement
• Knowledge of Data Loss Prevention (DLP), compliance, and data privacy
• Cloud security and shadow IT knowledge
• Experience as part of a sales team or desire to move in that direction
• Enthusiasm for cybersecurity and related security standards (ISO, NIST, MITRE)
• Strong knowledge of underlying protocols such as TCP/IP, HTTP, DNS, SMTP

Perks & Benefits

• Competitive compensation
• Comprehensive benefits
• Learning & Development programs including leadership and professional development workshops, stretch project assignments, and mentoring opportunities
• Flexible work environment (Remote options, hybrid schedules, flexible hours)
• Annual wellness and community outreach days
• Always-on recognition for your contributions
• Global collaboration and networking opportunities

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 Opportunity

The members of our Sales Engineering team are highly valued business partners that play a critical role in our sales process every single day.

As a Senior Sales Engineer working with Strategic accounts in Germany, you will be one of the most important members of the Proofpoint sales team. After initial onboarding and regular product training, you will become a trusted advisor to our Account Managers in region, as well as our current and future customers. As a technical liaison and subject matter expert on all things Proofpoint, you will help to deliver People-Centric solutions that protect against today’s cyber threats.

You will get to develop and tell a compelling story that will excite your customer and have them eager to hear more. Your story may include onsite product demonstrations, white-boarding sessions, mini-trainings, lunch-n-learns, threat assessments and production evaluations, all in pursuit of providing a solution to your customer that you will take pride in being a part of. It’s an exciting time to be at Proofpoint!

Your day-to-day

• You will act as the Technical Sales Lead throughout the pre-sales process
• Collaborate with the sales team to develop and execute targeted account penetration strategies
• Design and champion complex People-Centric Security solutions encompassing the entire Proofpoint portfolio
• Provide valuable customer insight and real-world experiences to Product Management, Marketing and Product Development (Engineering) teams to help keep our solutions the best in the industry
• Present at or attend industry seminars and/or trade shows when required
• You will become an expert in Email Security, Advanced Persistent Threats, Attack Protection, Threat Response, Data Loss Prevention (DLP), and the threat landscape

What you bring to the team

• Proven hands-on experience in a customer facing role, either as a Sales/Systems Engineer, Technical Account Manager, Security Engineer or senior level product support, preferably in the cyber-security industry
• Proven experience in either secure messaging, data security, network security, endpoint, NOC/SOC or MSP-related cybersecurity
• Track record developing and maintaining customer relationships with large (Enterprise) clients/organizations
• Excellent communication skills and comfortable presenting to individuals and/or teams including technical staff and C-suite executives
• You can work independently, adapt quickly and maintain a positive attitude
• Exposure to at least two of the following skill sets are recommended:
• Enterprise email solutions such as Exchange, G-Suite, Lotus Domino, O365 or working knowledge of SMTP
• Email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC)
• Advanced Persistent Threats (APT) Protection
• IT security, vulnerability or risk assessments, and policy enforcement
• Data Loss Prevention (DLP), compliance and data privacy
• Cloud security and shadow IT knowledge
• Fluency in English and local regional Language is essential.

In addition to the above, if you have been a part of a sales team before or have a desire to take your career in that direction, as well as an enthusiasm for cyber-security and related security standards and frameworks like ISO, NIST and MITRE. If you love to stay on top of the fast-changing threat landscape and to help to educate and protect our customers and prospects. And if your experience is backed up by a strong knowledge of the underlying protocols such as TCP/IP, HTTP, DNS, SMTP and others, we would love to speak to you!

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!