Leader, Technical Pre-Sales & Solution Architecture

Mission: You will lead and transform the Technical Pre-Sales organisation across Industrial Automation, Digital Transformation and Industrial Software. Combining strategic technical leadership with a strong commercial mindset, you will lead Solution Architects, Solution Application Engineers, Product Application Engineers and Technical Specialists to deliver compelling customer outcomes, differentiated solution architectures and industry-leading technical expertise. As the senior technical authority for customer-facing activities, you will shape how customers modernise their operations through automation, software, digital services, industrial AI, analytics and OT/IT convergence. You will engage with customer executives, operational leaders and engineering teams to influence technology strategies, position transformational solutions and build trusted relationships. A key focus will also be developing a high-performing technical community, strengthening organisational capability and building a strong succession pipeline for future leadership roles.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the technical strategy and vision for pre-sales across automation, software and digital solutions, shaping customer technology roadmaps, digital transformation strategies and scalable, outcome-focused solution architectures.
• Act as a trusted technical advisor to customer executives, CTOs, CIOs, COOs, plant leaders and engineering teams, leading strategic discussions, workshops, architecture reviews, value discovery sessions and executive presentations.
• Drive technical strategy for strategic accounts, major pursuits and transformational opportunities, positioning end-to-end solutions across automation, industrial software, digital services, cloud, cybersecurity, industrial AI and analytics.
• Establish and govern technical standards, architectural frameworks and design methodologies across the pre-sales organisation, ensuring engineering quality, consistency and scalability while supporting solution reviews for major bids and strategic opportunities.
• Lead, coach and develop Solution Architects, Solution Application Engineers, Product Application Engineers and Technical Specialists, building a recognised centre of excellence and strengthening technical, consultative and commercial capabilities across the organisation.
• Establish development programmes, mentoring frameworks and technical career pathways, fostering continuous learning, innovation and accountability while developing a strong succession pipeline for senior leadership positions.
• Partner with Sales, Business Development and Segment Leaders to qualify and prioritise major opportunities, optimise technical resource allocation, improve solution quality and win rates, and develop value propositions that clearly demonstrate business outcomes and return on investment.
• Collaborate across Product Management, R&D, Digital Services, Cybersecurity and Delivery teams to align sales strategies, technology roadmaps and customer needs, ensuring customer and market insights influence future product and solution development.
• Champion innovation across industrial automation, industrial software, cybersecurity, industrial AI and advanced analytics, representing the company at industry events, conferences and customer forums and acting as the primary technical escalation point for strategic opportunities.

Skills & Attributes:

• Significant leadership experience across industrial automation, industrial software and/or digital transformation, including leading technical pre-sales, architecture or engineering organisations.
• Proven track record of building, leading and developing high-performing technical teams, including leading leaders, developing future executives and strengthening organisational capability within a matrixed global environment.
• Strong technical expertise across Industrial Control Systems, process and hybrid industries, manufacturing operations, SCADA, DCS, PLC platforms, industrial networks and communications.
• Solid understanding of digital transformation technologies and architectures, including MES/MOM, industrial and enterprise data platforms, Industrial IoT, OT/IT convergence, cloud and edge technologies, industrial analytics, AI and machine learning applications.
• Strong understanding of OT cybersecurity and the integration of automation, software, data and enterprise architectures within complex industrial environments.
• Extensive experience supporting complex solution sales and major strategic opportunities, with the ability to translate customer business challenges into compelling technical architectures and business value propositions.
• Strong executive presence and proven ability to influence C-suite and senior customer stakeholders, combining technical depth, commercial acumen and business insight.
• Strategic mindset with the ability to connect technology trends, customer challenges and business opportunities while influencing across Sales, Engineering, Product Management and executive leadership.
• Recognised technical authority capable of leading complex architecture discussions across automation, industrial software and digital domains while maintaining a strong focus on customer outcomes.
• Strong commitment to talent development, continuous learning and building future technical and leadership capability.

What we offer you:

• Competitive salary & Bonus Scheme, 28 Days Annual Leave + Public Holidays, Pension Scheme, Employee Share Ownership Programme, Various Health & Wellbeing Support Options, Gym Flex, CareerHub (internal mobility opportunities + access to mentors & projects globally), Shopping & Dining Discounts, Learning Portal and much more.

At Schneider Electric, Diversity & Inclusion is at the heart of our organisation, it's an integral part of our history, culture, and identity. We recognise that embracing diversity unlocks innovation and creativity and fosters collaboration. We want our employees to reflect the diversity of our communities and the customers we serve. As a result, our teams are stronger to drive the company's future.

“We are proudly participating in the Disability Confident Program offering support to people in the workplace who consider themselves living with a disability.”

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At Schneider, we believe that every employee is a talent who deserves equal opportunities. This means you matter. Every individual needs to feel valued, supported, and treated fairly to do their best work.

Our Total Rewards is our way of saying: “We see you. We value you”. It’s more than just pay and benefits- it’s a meaningful investment in you. It is designed for you to perform, grow, feel safe, and elevate your potential to shine as an impact maker.

For this UK based position, the expected pay range is GBP 94,800 - GBP 142,200 per year. This pay range includes base pay and short-term incentives. The compensation range for this full-time position applies to candidates located within the United Kingdom. Our pay ranges are determined by the local market.

Schneider Electric is there when it matters most to you. Our Total Rewards package outlines all the benefits and support you’ll enjoy as part of the Schneider Electric team:

• Care for Yourself and Your Family. We ensure you feel secure with benefits that help you and your family thrive: health and life insurance, paid time off, parental and care leave, flexible work options, and confidential counseling for life’s challenges.
• Invest and Plan Your Future. We help you plan and invest for the future with competitive pay and programs: your base salary, short-term incentives or sales incentives, opportunities to own company shares, and retirement savings plans for your future.
• Grow Your Skills and Career. We commit to helping you grow with ongoing performance and development conversations, Senior Talent Program, global career opportunities, access to our Schneider Career Hub for new positions, projects, and mentors, and learning platforms like Coursera to equip you with the skills for today and tomorrow.
• Team Up in the Workplace. We encourage teaming up through project opportunities on the Schneider Career Hub, smart ways to collaborate, celebrating contributions via a recognition program, sharing your voice in our engagement survey, and fostering an inclusive, caring workplace.
• Support Your Community. We make a difference in your community with volunteer leave, programs through the Schneider Electric Foundation, and initiatives that support youth education.

Looking to make an IMPACT with your career? When you are thinking about joining a new team, culture matters. At Schneider Electric, our values and behaviors are the foundation for creating a great culture to support business success. We believe that our IMPACT values – Inclusion, Mastery, Purpose, Action, Curiosity, Teamwork – starts with us.

IMPACT is also your invitation to join Schneider Electric where you can contribute to turning sustainability ambition into actions, no matter what role you play. It is a call to connect your career with the ambition of achieving a more resilient, efficient, and sustainable world.

We are looking for IMPACT Makers; exceptional people who turn sustainability ambitions into actions at the intersection of automation, electrification, and digitization. We celebrate IMPACT Makers and believe everyone has the potential to be one.

Become an IMPACT Maker with Schneider Electric – apply today!