About Decagon
Decagon is the leading conversational AI platform empowering every brand to deliver concierge customer experiences.
Our technology enables industry-defining enterprises like Avis Budget Group, Block's Cash App and Square, Chime, Oura Health, and Hunter Douglas to deploy AI agents that power personalized, deeply satisfying interactions across voice, chat, email, SMS, and every other channel.
We're building a future where customer experiences are being redefined from support tickets and hold music to faster resolutions, richer conversations, and deeper relationships. We're proud to be backed by world-class investors who share that vision, including a16z, Accel, Bain Capital Ventures, Coatue, and Index Ventures, along with many others.
We're an in-office company, driven by a shared commitment to excellence and velocity. Our values - Just Get It Done, Invent What Customers Want, Winner's Mindset, and The Polymath Principle - shape how we work and grow as a team.
About the Role
Decagon is seeking a Director of Solutions Engineering to build and lead our growing pre-sales solutions engineering function. This role combines technical depth, enterprise consultative engagement, and team leadership, enabling Decagon to drive adoption of our AI-native platform across some of the world’s most complex enterprises.
As the manager of the Solutions Engineering team, you will be responsible for hiring, mentoring, and developing a high-performing team of Solutions Engineers. You'll establish scalable processes and best practices for pre-sales engagements, ensure technical excellence in customer conversations, and represent Decagon as a senior technical leader on key opportunities.
This role is highly cross-functional: you will partner closely with Sales, Product, and Engineering to design strategies that align technical capabilities with customer outcomes. You will also bring strong executive presence to customer engagements, guiding both technical and business stakeholders through how Decagon integrates into their technology environments and drives measurable business value.
In this role, you will
- Hire, mentor, and manage a team of Solutions Engineers, providing technical guidance, coaching, and career development.
- Establish and operationalize best practices for pre-sales solutioning, proof-of-concepts, and technical validation.
- Partner with Sales leadership to co-develop go-to-market strategies and align technical execution with business goals.
- Engage directly with a select portfolio of strategic enterprise prospects and customers, guiding them through discovery, solution design, and ROI validation.
- Ensure your team delivers compelling demonstrations, prototypes, and solution architectures tailored to customer needs.
- Foster cross-functional collaboration with Product and Engineering to bring customer insights into roadmap priorities.
- Serve as an executive-level technical representative in customer meetings, technical workshops, and industry events.
- Define scalable processes and assets to support team efficiency, repeatability, and long-term growth.
- Stay current on enterprise AI adoption patterns, integration strategies, and the evolving competitive landscape.
Your background looks something like this
- 7+ years of experience in pre-sales technical roles such as Solutions Architect, Sales Engineer, or equivalent.
- 3+ years of experience managing or leading pre-sales/solutions engineering teams.
- Proven success working with large enterprise customers and navigating complex buying cycles.
- Strong technical proficiency with enterprise AI deployments, API integrations, and production system architectures.
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage executives, business stakeholders, and technical teams with equal credibility.
- A collaborative, organizational mindset with a track record of building scalable teams and processes.
- Ability to thrive in fast-moving, high-growth environments with significant ambiguity.
- Strong executive presence and consultative skills, capable of establishing trust and credibility with senior leaders.
Even better if you have
- Experience in AI/Generative AI pre-sales engineering or enterprise deployments.
- Familiarity with enterprise architecture design, developer tooling, SDKs, and integration patterns.
- Background in software engineering or systems engineering, enabling you to dive deeply into technical discussions.
- Experience integrating telephony infrastructure or other complex enterprise systems.
- Knowledge of LLM architecture, prompt engineering, evaluation, and AI-powered solution design.
- Thought leadership experience through conferences, webinars, or published technical content.
Benefits
We proudly offer the following benefits for our full-time employees:
- Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits for you and your family
- Life Insurance and Disability Benefits
- Retirement Plan (e.g., 401K, pension)
- Parental Leave
- Fertility and family building benefits through Carrot
- Monthly stipend to support your wellness, lifestyle, and work-life balance
- Daily lunches and snacks in the office to keep you at your best
- Take what you need vacation policy (subject to local requirements; UK employees receive 25 days of statutory leave)
These benefits are described in more detail in Decagon's policies, may vary by location, and can change at any time according to applicable compensation and benefits plans.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Director of Solutions Engineering - EMEA Strat employer: Decagon
Decagon is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where innovation and excellence are at the forefront. With a strong focus on employee growth, our team enjoys comprehensive benefits including medical coverage, generous parental leave, and a unique 'take what you need' vacation policy, all while working closely with industry leaders in a collaborative atmosphere. Located in a vibrant city, Decagon fosters a culture of trust and creativity, making it an ideal place for professionals eager to make a meaningful impact in the world of conversational AI.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Solutions Engineering - EMEA Strat
✨Join Local Manufacturing Groups
Getting involved in local manufacturing groups or associations can seriously boost your visibility. These groups often have insider info on job openings and networking events, plus they help you connect with like-minded folks in the industry. Check out what's happening in your area!
✨Show Off Your Skills in Practical Spaces
Consider participating in workshops or open days at manufacturing companies. It's a great way to show off your hands-on skills in a real-world environment and can sometimes lead to job offers right on the spot. Keep an eye on announcements from local manufacturers for these opportunities!
✨Leverage the Power of Internships
While you're looking for full-time positions, don't underestimate the power of internships! Even if you don't see a direct role, securing an internship at a company can open doors to future jobs. Many manufacturing firms prefer to hire from their intern pool, so it's definitely worth considering.
✨Apply Directly Through Company Websites
When you find a role at a company you love, like Decagon, apply directly on their website. This way, you’re more likely to be noticed by the hiring team. Plus, showing that you took the time to seek out their application process highlights your genuine interest in the firm!
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Skills:In the manufacturing-production sector, it's crucial to highlight your technical skills and experience. Make sure your CV features any relevant qualifications, such as certifications in machinery operation or production management, and don’t forget about any specific systems or software you’re familiar with. This can really set you apart!
Emphasise Teamwork and Communication:Working in manufacturing often means being part of a larger team. Highlight your experience in collaborative projects or environments where communication was key. Maybe you have experience with lean manufacturing principles? Talk about how you worked with your team to improve productivity and maintain quality.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Company:Don’t just recycle an old cover letter! Take the time to tailor your cover letter to Decagon specifically. Mention what excites you about their production processes or products, and how your previous experiences can contribute to their goals. We want to see your enthusiasm for the role!
Use Concrete Examples of Your Achievements:When detailing your work experience, include measurable achievements that can demonstrate your impact. Whether it’s improving efficiency by a certain percentage or successfully leading a project, these specifics can make a huge difference. Numbers speak volumes in the manufacturing world!
How to prepare for a job interview at Decagon
✨Know Your Manufacturing Processes
Before you walk into the interview with Decagon, brush up on the specific manufacturing processes relevant to the role. Understanding lean manufacturing principles or quality control techniques could give you a solid edge to discuss how you’d fit into their operations.
✨Technical Questions Are Key
Be prepared for technical questions around machinery, production scheduling, or materials handling. Make sure you can confidently explain how you've dealt with these in past experiences or internships. Knowing industry-specific software could also be a big plus!
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Manufacturing environments often focus on continuous improvement. Be ready to discuss specific instances where you’ve solved a production issue or implemented a process improvement. It’s all about demonstrating your analytical thinking and hands-on approach.
✨Align Your Values with Quality and Safety
In a full-time role, companies like Decagon value commitment to quality and safety. Be prepared to discuss how you prioritise these factors in your work. It’s about showing that you’re not just looking for a job, but that you genuinely care about contributing positively to their production environment.
