Shift5 is building the data platform for onboard operational technology (OT). We deliver cybersecurity, predictive maintenance, and compliance capabilities that enable defense and commercial fleets to operate with greater readiness, resilience, and mission assurance.
We are seeking a customer-focused, technically curious Solution Engineer to help customers understand, evaluate, and adopt Shift5's platform. This role partners closely with Sales, Product, Engineering, Customer Success, and Product Marketing to deliver technical demonstrations, support customer evaluations, and communicate how Shift5's technology solves complex operational and cybersecurity challenges.
The Solution Engineer serves as the technical bridge between our platform and our customers, helping translate complex technical capabilities into clear business value while supporting the overall sales process.
This role is ideal for someone who enjoys solving customer problems, presenting technology, collaborating across teams, and growing their technical expertise in defense technology and operational technology.
Note: This position requires U.S. citizenship due to federal contract requirements and access to controlled information.
What You'll Do
- Partner with Strategic Account Executives throughout the sales cycle to support technical discovery, customer meetings, and solution development.
- Deliver engaging product demonstrations tailored to customer missions, operational environments, and technical requirements.
- Assist customers with technical evaluations, proof-of-concept activities, workshops, and pilot programs.
- Develop a strong understanding of Shift5's platform, cybersecurity capabilities, predictive maintenance analytics, and onboard operational technology.
- Answer customer technical questions and collaborate with Product and Engineering to address more complex technical requirements.
- Support solution design by helping align Shift5's capabilities to customer objectives and operational challenges.
- Partner with Product Marketing to support industry events, coordinate product demonstrations, and participate in customer engagements.
- Assist with technical presentations, proposal responses, capability briefs, and customer-facing technical documentation.
- Capture customer feedback and communicate product enhancement opportunities to Product and Engineering.
- Represent Shift5 at customer meetings, industry conferences, trade shows, and technical demonstrations.
- Stay informed on competitive offerings, industry trends, and emerging technologies to better support customer conversations.
- Build trusted relationships with customers by providing responsive, professional technical support throughout the sales process.
- Deliver compelling technical demonstrations that clearly communicate Shift5's value proposition.
- Build credibility and trust with customer technical and operational stakeholders.
- Effectively support Account Executives throughout the sales cycle by providing technical expertise.
- Develop deep knowledge of Shift5's platform and confidently communicate product capabilities.
- Contribute to successful customer evaluations, proof-of-concepts, and technical workshops.
- Collaborate effectively across Sales, Product, Engineering, Marketing, and Customer Success.
- Consistently provide customer feedback that helps improve Shift5's products and go-to-market strategy.
- Represent Shift5 professionally across customer engagements, demonstrations, and industry events.
What We're Looking For
- 2–5 years of experience as a Solution Engineer, Sales Engineer, Systems Engineer, Technical Consultant, or in a similar customer-facing technical role.
- Experience presenting software or technical solutions to customers.
- Strong communication skills with the ability to explain complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
- Working knowledge of networking, cybersecurity, cloud technologies, operational technology (OT), embedded systems, or enterprise software.
- Experience supporting customer demonstrations, proof-of-concepts, or technical evaluations.
- Strong collaboration and problem-solving skills with the ability to work cross-functionally.
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Information Systems, Cybersecurity, or a related technical discipline, or equivalent experience.
- Experience supporting defense technology, cybersecurity, SaaS, aerospace, transportation, or government contracting organizations is strongly preferred.
- Experience supporting Department of Defense or Intelligence Community customers is preferred.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance.
Expected travel: 20–35%.
Compensation & Benefits
Compensation & Benefits:
- Base Salary: $135,000 - $170,000
- Bonus program and equity in a fast-growing startup
- Competitive salary and stock options in a fast-growing startup
- Employer-paid medical, dental and vision coverage
- Health Savings Account with annual employer contributions
- Life Insurance
- Uncapped paid time off policy
- Flexible work & remote work policy
- Tax-deferred public transit benefits with Metro SmartBenefits (DC/MD/VA)
Shift5 is committed to equal employment opportunity and affirmative action. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other protected characteristics.
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Skills Required
- 2-5 years of experience as a Solution Engineer, Sales Engineer, Systems Engineer, Technical Consultant, or similar customer-facing technical role.
- Experience presenting software or technical solutions to customers.
- Strong communication skills with the ability to explain complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
- Working knowledge of networking, cybersecurity, cloud technologies, operational technology (OT), embedded systems, or enterprise software.
- Experience supporting customer demonstrations, proof-of-concepts, or technical evaluations.
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Information Systems, Cybersecurity, or a related technical discipline, or equivalent experience.
- Experience supporting defense technology, cybersecurity, SaaS, aerospace, transportation, or government contracting organizations.
- Experience supporting Department of Defense or Intelligence Community customers.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance.
- U.S. citizenship (required due to federal contract requirements and access to controlled information).
- Willingness to travel approximately 20-35%.
What We Do
Former military officers who stood up U.S. Army Cyber Command and pioneered modern weapons system cyber assessments founded Shift5 to transform untapped operational technology into actionable insights that enable peak performance and cyber resilience for America’s defense and transportation systems. Built for the field and tested in the most demanding environments, Shift5's Operational Intelligence platform equips operations, maintenance, and cybersecurity teams with the infrastructure and analytics to detect threats, anticipate failures, and respond with confidence. Today, military customers and leading transportation companies rely on Shift5 for the safety, security, and reliability of current fleets and next-generation assets.
Why Work With Us
Shift5 is building a smarter, safer and more secure world by supporting the defenders and decision-makers on the front lines of national security. Founded by veterans and members of the U.S. Army Cyber Command, Shift5 is a mission-driven organization and a workplace that enables employee flexibility, empowerment and responsibility.
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