The Role
The Director of Solutions Engineering leads the technical pre-sales and solution design team, aiming to drive revenue growth and customer satisfaction through effective technical engagement and operational excellence.
Summary Generated by Built In
Director of Solution Engineering
Position SummaryThe Head of Solution Engineering is a senior leadership role responsible for building and leading Luminator’s technical pre‑sales, solution design, and field‑readiness organization. This leader ensures a seamless, high‑quality technical experience across the customer lifecycle—from early discovery and system design through deployment, training, and implementation before handoff to Support.
This role owns the strategy, structure, and performance of the Solution Engineering team, including Solution Engineers, Onsite Maintenance Technicians, and specialized technical resources supporting OEMs and agencies. The Head of Solution Engineering is accountable for elevating customer touchpoints, accelerating revenue, and strengthening Luminator’s reputation as a trusted, technically excellent partner.
Responsibilities will align to mutually agreed‑upon organizational needs. OKRs and supporting KPIs will be established collaboratively.
This is a remote position with up to 50% travel.
Essential Functions:
Leadership & Strategy
- Build and lead a high‑performing, customer‑centric Solution Engineering organization supporting Commercial, Product, and Operations.
- Define the long‑term vision for technical pre‑sales, solution design, and field‑readiness capabilities.
- Establish scalable processes for surveys, PDIs, technical assessments, SOW development, and solution validation.
- Partner with Commercial leadership to align technical resources with regional priorities and revenue targets.
- Drive revenue growth across maintenance services, spares, upgrades, and major projects through timely, accurate, and compelling technical engagement.
- Implement a presales technician model to accelerate surveys, improve SOW quality, and increase win rates.
- Support OEM and agency partners with technical expertise that improves customer experience and reduces friction.
- Identify upsell, cross‑sell, and lifecycle modernization opportunities based on customer needs and system performance.
- Lead a distributed team of Solution Engineers and Onsite Maintenance Technicians across North America.
- Foster a culture of accountability, responsiveness, and continuous improvement.
- Ensure team members are trained on Luminator’s full bus‑technology product portfolio.
- Oversee creation and accuracy of Statements of Work; ensure surveys and site visits are completed efficiently and consistently.
- Develop standardized documentation, processes, and tools that improve quality and reduce cycle time.
- Partner with Product Management to bring field insights into roadmap decisions.
- Collaborate with Operations and Support to ensure smooth handoffs from pre‑sales to deployment to long‑term service.
- Provide technical input for demos, proofs of concept, and pilot implementations.
- Work closely with Product and Engineering to understand features, limitations, and upcoming enhancements.
- Serve as a senior technical representative for key customers, OEMs, and strategic partners.
- Support escalations, complex integrations, and high‑visibility deployments.
- Ensure Luminator’s solutions are positioned as reliable, intuitive, and aligned with customer operational priorities.
- A fully operational, high‑performing Solution Engineering organization functioning as a turnkey technical arm of Commercial.
- Faster survey and SOW turnaround times, resulting in higher win rates and accelerated revenue.
- Stronger customer satisfaction and increased trust in Luminator’s technical capabilities.
- Improved alignment across Commercial, Product, Operations, and Customer Experience.
- 10+ years in solution engineering, technical pre‑sales, systems integration, or related technical leadership roles.
- Proven success leading distributed, customer‑facing technical teams.
- Strong understanding of transit technology, embedded systems, software platforms, or complex hardware‑software ecosystems.
- Demonstrated ability to influence revenue outcomes through technical strategy and customer engagement.
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to simplify complex technical concepts.
- Experience building scalable processes, documentation standards, and cross‑functional workflows.
- Ability to travel up to 50% as needed to support regional teams, OEMs, and customer engagements.
“Applicants must possess valid authorization to work in the United States. Luminator is unable to provide visa sponsorship or assume sponsorship obligations for this position.”
Why You’ll Love Working at Luminator:
- Competitive total compensation package with career growth potential.
- Generous time off: Vacation and wellness time, paid company holidays, floating holidays.
- Educational Assistance Program: Robust reimbursement program for professional growth.
- Health and wellness: Medical, dental, and vision coverage plus excellent 401k matching.
- Benefits effective on Day #ONE.
- Find out more about us by visiting our Life@Luminator page!
Skills Required
- 10+ years in solution engineering, technical pre-sales, systems integration, or related technical leadership roles
- Proven success leading distributed, customer-facing technical teams
- Strong understanding of transit technology, embedded systems, software platforms, or complex hardware-software ecosystems
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to simplify complex technical concepts
- Experience building scalable processes, documentation standards, and cross-functional workflows
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The Company
What We Do
Luminator has been an innovator in the design and manufacture of communications and lighting products for more than 90 years. We serve three major transportation sectors: bus, rail, and aerospace. Luminator is the world's largest manufacturer of transportation lighting and destination signs and solutions to improve safety and efficiency. If you travel by public transit bus, passenger train, or commercial, corporate, or military aircraft, chances are you have come in contact with a Luminator product. https://futureoftransit.com/316hyRJ
