Sales Engineer - Public Sector

Job Description At Zendesk, we’re revolutionizing what’s possible in Customer Experience (CX) and Employee Services (ES) for customers in the Federal, State, Local, and Education (FedSLED) space. Every interaction becomes impactful through our unified Resolution Platform, powered by best-in-class AI, data, and transformative cloud technologies. We’re leading the charge against outdated contact center solutions, helping top brands worldwide deliver smarter, faster, and more personal service at scale. Our rapid innovation and AI leadership have earned the trust of thousands of forward-thinking businesses. As a Public Sector Sales Engineer you’ll be at the forefront of transforming how leading government agencies leverage Zendesk’s AI-powered platform. As a trusted advisor and technical thought leader, you’ll take the lead in navigating complex customer challenges. Delivering innovative, scalable solutions that turn ambitious goals into measurable results. Working closely with Sales, Product, Engineering, and Customer Success, you’ll architect strategies that drive operational excellence, empower customer growth, and set new standards for service in a rapidly evolving landscape. What You’ll Be Doing: Lead Technical & Business Discovery: Conduct thorough discovery sessions to understand customer challenges, perform AI readiness assessments, and design tailored demos, and proofs of value that demonstrate Zendesk’s differentiated value. Architect AI-Driven CX & ES Solutions: Translate advanced AI/ML capabilities (such as automation, conversational bots, predictive analytics, and orchestration)into clear, business-focused narratives for diverse audiences from IT to the C-suite. Drive Technical Strategy Through the Sales Cycle: Own the end-to-end technical engagement, from qualification and design through pilot execution. Ensuring each solution aligns with customer goals and compliance standards. Integrate & Scale: Architect secure, scalable solutions leveraging Zendesk APIs, middleware, telephony systems, and cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) that enable seamless workflows and automation. Collaborate & Influence: Work cross-functionally to align customer needs with Zendesk’s product roadmap, influence future innovations, and ensure a unified go-to-market strategy. Measure & Optimize Impact: Use Zendesk analytics and AI performance metrics (sentiment analysis, ticket deflection, time-to-resolution) to demonstrate ROI and inform continuous improvement. Champion AI Adoption: Collaborate with Customer Success to drive AI adoption through value realization initiatives and continued promotion of new AI capabilities. Stay Ahead of the Curve: Continuously build your expertise in AI, automation, and evolving CX and ES technologies, sharing insights that position Zendesk as a market thought leader. What You Bring: 5+ years of presales experience. This experience must include traditional Solutions Consulting but may include equivalent experience as a developer, customer engineer, Forward Deployed Engineer, or Technical Account Manager in similar environments. Proven experience designing and executing customer pilots and proofs of concept that demonstrate business value. Business Value Literacy: Ability to conduct basic ROI discovery and use standardized TCO/ROI templates for business case development. Understanding of AI technologies (LLMs, ChatGPT, NLP, MCP automation frameworks) and their practical applications in CX. Expertise in one or more of the following domains: CCaaS, Customer Service software, ITSM, Business Intelligence, Workforce Management, or Integration & Middleware. Strong analytical and storytelling abilities. Able to connect technical capabilities to strategic business impact. Excellent interpersonal, communication, presentation, and writing skills. Strongly Desired: Working knowledge or awareness of Federal, State, Local, and Education (FSLED) compliance requirements (e.g., basic knowledge of HIPAA, CJIS, FERPA, FedRAMP, or similar mandates). Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience (graduate degree a plus). Willingness and ability to travel as required Who You Are: Strategic & Consultative: You think beyond features. Framing solutions around measurable customer outcomes. Technically Fluent: You have a deep curiosity for how AI and automation are reshaping customer experience. Collaborative Influencer: You work seamlessly across functions, aligning teams and earning stakeholder trust. Customer-Obsessed: You listen deeply, empathize authentically, and design with the customer at the center. Analytical Storyteller: You turn data and metrics into compelling business insights. Innovative Problem Solver: You approach challenges creatively leveraging technology to unlock new opportunities and value. #LI-MY1 The US annualized OTE (On Target Earnings) range for this position is $188,000.00-$282,000.00 with a pay mix of 80/20 (base/commission). This position may also be eligible for bonus, benefits, or related incentives. While this range reflects the minimum and maximum value for new hire salaries for the position across all US locations, the offer for the successful candidate for this position will be based on job related capabilities, applicable experience, and other factors such as work location. Please note that the compensation details listed in US role postings reflect the base salary only (or OTE for commissions based roles), and do not include bonus, benefits, or related incentives. The intelligent heart of customer experience Zendesk software was built to bring a sense of calm to the chaotic world of customer service. Today we power billions of conversations with brands you know and love. Zendesk believes in offering our people a fulfilling and inclusive experience. Our hybrid way of working, enables us to purposefully come together in person, at one of our many Zendesk offices around the world, to connect, collaborate and learn whilst also giving our people the flexibility to work remotely for part of the week. As part of our commitment to fairness and transparency, we inform all applicants that artificial intelligence (AI) or automated decision systems may be used to screen or evaluate applications for this position, in accordance with Company guidelines and applicable law. Zendesk is an equal opportunity employer, and we’re proud of our ongoing efforts to foster global diversity, equity, & inclusion in the workplace. Individuals seeking employment and employees at Zendesk are considered without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, medical condition, ancestry, disability, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We are an AA/EEO/Veterans/Disabled employer. If you are based in the United States and would like more information about your EEO rights under the law, please click here. Zendesk endeavors to make reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities and disabled veterans pursuant to applicable federal and state law. If you are an individual with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to submit this application, complete any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participate in the employee selection process, please send an e-mail to peopleandplaces@zendesk.com with your specific accommodation request. Zendesk is on a mission to simplify the complexity of business and make it easy for companies and customers to create connections. Our customer experience software unlocks the power of billions of interactions, enabling businesses to build rich, meaningful relationships with their customers. What’s it like to work here? Our offices reflect the global cities we call home, and have spaces for collaboration, quiet, and events. With our hybrid approach, you’ll experience flexibility and connection, collaboration, and learning with your team. We’re aware of an increase in recruitment scams where individuals falsely claim to represent Zendesk. These scammers may ask for money or personal information by offering fake job opportunities through e-mail, text message or social media. Please verify the source of any job-related communications carefully. All official Zendesk communications are conducted through "@zendesk.com" email addresses. If you encounter suspicious messages, do not respond and report them to peopleandplaces@zendesk.com