Presales Engineer

Presales Engineer

Full-Time 36000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
Zebra People | B Corp™

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Design and build AI-powered proof of concepts that wow clients.
  • Company: Join a forward-thinking tech company with a focus on innovation.
  • Benefits: Enjoy 32 days holiday, health perks, and a supportive culture.
  • Other info: Work on diverse projects and enjoy autonomy from day one.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in AI while working directly with the CTO.
  • Qualifications: Senior engineering experience with strong client communication skills.

The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.

A forward-deployed pre-sales engineer who partners with the strategy and sales teams to design, build, and present AI-powered proof of concepts for clients. You will own the full technical arc of each POC — from brief to build to client demo — and establish a reusable, scalable framework that compounds in value with every engagement.

They are looking for a Pre-Sales Engineer to be their forward-deployed technical force in the sales cycle. This is a hands-on, client-facing role: you will rapidly design and build proof of concepts that demonstrate what is possible with AI, and you will be the technical voice in the room when clients need to see it to believe it. You will report directly to the CTO and work closely with strategy and sales teams across every stage of the pre-sales journey.

What you’ll deliver

  • Build proof of concepts that win clients: Take a brief from the strategy team and independently design, architect, and build a working POC within a 3–4 week sprint. Translate real client problems into credible, demonstrable AI-powered solutions. Ensure every POC communicates the key points: what we believe, what we can do, and what the solution could become. Maintain a high output velocity using AI-assisted development tooling.
  • Own the client-facing technical narrative: Prepare and support all technical resources for sales calls: demos, slide narratives, technical Q&A docs, and deep-dive presentations. Join first calls, technical discovery sessions, and demo calls to provide credible technical support to the salesperson. Translate complex AI and engineering concepts into clear commercial language for stakeholders.
  • Create a scalable, reusable POC framework: After each engagement, produce a clean handover: a client-facing presentation of what was built, what shortcuts were taken, and what hardening would be required for production. Maintain and evolve a library of reusable repo templates, demo environments, and slide narratives.
  • Stay at the frontier of AI and shape our offering: Maintain a close watch on the AI landscape: new models, tools, frameworks, and use cases. Proactively suggest new POC formats, tooling improvements, and solution patterns.
  • Be a reliable, autonomous operator: Manage your own time and priorities across concurrent POC sprints with minimal overhead. Report clearly and consistently to the CTO on progress, blockers, and decisions throughout the week.

What we’re looking for

  • Must have:
  • Senior or lead-level engineering experience, with a proven track record of shipping production-quality work independently.
  • Full-stack capability: strong React / TypeScript frontend fundamentals with solid backend experience.
  • Practical, hands-on knowledge of AI application development.
  • Excellent client-facing communication skills.
  • A 50/50 builder-communicator profile.
  • Demonstrable ability to ship fast and make pragmatic architectural decisions under time pressure.
  • Comfortable working solo, managing time independently, and operating with minimal direction.
  • Nice to have:
    • Previous founder experience, or a background operating as a one-person engineering function.
    • Experience in a product studio, agency, or consultancy.
    • Familiarity with a broad range of AI tooling, model providers, and deployment approaches.
    • Experience building and presenting technical demos to non-technical enterprise audiences.
    • Contribution to sales processes, technical proposals, or RFP responses.

    Why join them?

    This is a rare role for someone who wants to operate at the intersection of deep technical craft and commercial impact. As Pre-Sales Engineer, you will have direct influence over how the company wins new business and demonstrates what AI can do. Work on a genuinely diverse range of problems across industries, use cases, and technologies.

    This is a permanent role with the full benefits, including:

    • 32 days' holiday (including bank holidays).
    • 8-weeks working-away allowance each year.
    • Birthday off.
    • Health and wellbeing budget including private healthcare and unlimited gym access.
    • Cycle-to-work scheme and quarterly team socials.
    • Quarterly OKRs and bonus opportunities.
    • A genuinely supportive culture in an innovative and inspiring workspace.

    Presales Engineer employer: Zebra People | B Corp™

    Join a forward-thinking company that values innovation and technical excellence, where as a Pre-Sales Engineer, you will have the opportunity to directly influence business outcomes while working on diverse AI-powered projects. With a supportive culture, generous benefits including 32 days of holiday, a health and wellbeing budget, and a focus on employee growth through quarterly OKRs, this role offers a unique chance to thrive in a dynamic environment. Reporting directly to the CTO, you'll enjoy high visibility and autonomy from day one, making a meaningful impact in the world of AI.
    Zebra People | B Corp™

    Contact Detail:

    Zebra People | B Corp™ Recruiting Team

    StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

    We think this is how you could land Presales Engineer

    Tip Number 1

    Get to know the company inside out! Research their products, culture, and recent news. This will help you tailor your conversations and show that you're genuinely interested in what they do.

    Tip Number 2

    Practice your technical storytelling. You’ll need to explain complex AI concepts in a way that resonates with clients. Use examples from your past experiences to illustrate your points and make them relatable.

    Tip Number 3

    Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend industry events. This can give you insider tips and might even lead to a referral, which is always a bonus!

    Tip Number 4

    Don’t forget to follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email reiterating your excitement about the role can leave a lasting impression. Plus, it shows you’re proactive and keen!

    We think you need these skills to ace Presales Engineer

    Full-stack Development
    React
    TypeScript
    AI Application Development
    LLMs
    RAG Architectures
    AI Agents
    Technical Communication
    Client Engagement
    Architectural Decision-Making
    Time Management
    Problem-Solving
    Presentation Skills
    Adaptability

    Some tips for your application 🫡

    Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Presales Engineer role. Highlight your experience with AI, full-stack development, and client-facing communication. We want to see how your skills align with what we’re looking for!

    Showcase Your POC Experience: Since this role is all about building proof of concepts, share specific examples of POCs you've designed and delivered. Explain the challenges you faced and how you overcame them. This will help us understand your hands-on experience and problem-solving skills.

    Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to explain your technical expertise and how it translates into commercial success. We appreciate clarity, especially when it comes to complex topics like AI!

    Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team at StudySmarter!

    How to prepare for a job interview at Zebra People | B Corp™

    Know Your POCs Inside Out

    Before the interview, make sure you understand the proof of concepts (POCs) you've worked on. Be ready to discuss the technical details, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them. This will show your depth of knowledge and your ability to communicate complex ideas clearly.

    Master the Art of Storytelling

    When presenting your POCs, think of it as telling a story. Start with the client's problem, explain your approach, and highlight the impact of your solution. This narrative style will engage your interviewers and demonstrate your client-facing communication skills.

    Stay Updated on AI Trends

    Familiarise yourself with the latest developments in AI and how they can be applied in real-world scenarios. Bring up recent advancements during your interview to show that you're proactive and passionate about staying at the forefront of technology.

    Prepare for Technical Questions

    Expect to face technical questions that assess your engineering skills and problem-solving abilities. Brush up on your full-stack knowledge, especially in React and TypeScript, and be ready to discuss how you would approach building scalable solutions under tight deadlines.

    Land your dream job quicker with Premium

    You’re marked as a top applicant with our partner companies
    Individual CV and cover letter feedback including tailoring to specific job roles
    Be among the first applications for new jobs with our AI application
    1:1 support and career advice from our career coaches
    Go Premium

    Money-back if you don't land a job in 6-months

    >