GCI's Sales Engineer I will p rovide technical expertise, consulting, and solutions design as an integral part of the complete customer lifecycle, including pre and post sales, project management, support, consultation, and advocacy. Act as the technical liaison between the customer and the organization, ensuring solutions are designed to meet client requirements while aligning with company standards.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES AT ALL LEVELS:
Solution Design & Technical Support
Interpret customer requirements and translate them into technical solutions and basis-of-design documentation; including performing on-site assessments or site surveys when required to validate real-world conditions.
Lead ad-hoc brainstorming sessions with internal teams (Engineering, Operations, Product) to develop innovative, complex solutions tailored to customer needs.
Design and validate network and technology solutions aligned with company capabilities, defined products, standards, and regulatory/funding compliance.
Design solutions across multiple disciplines (Cloud, Security, RF, Transport, etc.), including supporting literature, diagrams, presentations, demos, and write-ups.
Prepare high-level diagrams, accurate cost estimates, and validate technical feasibility (verifying on-site power, space, environmental, and access requirements).
Serve as the primary technical liaison for assigned opportunities by attending customer meetings on site when in-person engagement is required for clarity and trust building; lead executive-level solution discussions and act as an escalation point for design questions.
Maintain accountability for success metrics and ensure solutions adhere to the Variable Speed Model (Simple, Routine, Complex), comply with organizational processes, and meet Operational Level Agreements (OLA) timelines.
Sales Process Support
Support the sales process by translating customer needs into realistic technical designs, creating high-level solution architectures, and providing accurate estimates and documentation.
Collaborate with Account Managers, Program Managers, and Sales Managers to support sales initiatives, customer relationship management, and support sales team initiatives through accurate technical input.
Participate in proposal development, RFP/RFI/RFQ and other sales responses, and deliver technical presentations.
Participate in gate reviews to present design details and ensure timely completion of deliverables per OLA.
Maintain accurate records of technical requirements, estimates, and deliverables to support sales and compliance processes by informed first-hand confirmation of customer environments.
Maintain accurate client records for COGS, capital, pricing data, and scopes of work for estimations, projects, and operational service definitions.
Function as a subject matter expert (SME) for client services technical details, ensuring field conditions match documented expectations and coordinate with technical service teams for timely and consistent delivery.
Ensure all proposals and designs adhere to company standards and funding guidelines.
Customer & Executive Engagement
Serve as the primary technical liaison for assigned opportunities, ensuring clear communication of technical requirements and concepts in direct engagements.
Provide technical consultation and respond to customer inquiries promptly and accurately.
Lead solution discussions with customer executives focused on near-term deployments.
Present technical roadmaps that align with customer objectives and GCI capabilities.
Support post-sales activities including onboarding, technical handoff, and resolution of design-related issues.
Build and maintain strong customer relationships through technical advocacy and solution alignment.
Attend customer site meetings to serve as both the technical assurance and the customer's advocate. Representing their needs accurately within GCI and ensuring solutions align with real-world conditions and customer expectations.
Product Support & Continuous Improvement
Stay current with emerging technologies, telecommunications industry practices, and company systems, processes, product, and service offerings.
Maintain a strong understanding of the competitive landscape and market dynamics, including strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.
Provide feedback to Product Management and Program Engineering by capturing customer use cases, identifying opportunities, and assessing new technologies.
Contribute technical expertise and market awareness to product development initiatives, including testing new products and validating capabilities.
Identify customer feedback and relay insights to product and engineering teams.
Collaborate with internal teams to ensure product capabilities align with customer expectations.
Maintain strong working knowledge of Alaska's geographic layout and the distinct needs of urban centers, rural communities, and remote villages; including cultural differences and access constraints that influence solution design and delivery.
COMPETENCIES:
ACCOUNTABILITY- Takes ownership for actions, decisions, and results; openly accepts feedback and demonstrates a willingness to improve.
BASIC PRINCIPLES - Interacts with people in a way that builds mutual trust, confidence, and respect; adheres to GCI's Code of Conduct for Employees - the Basic Principles.
COLLABORATION - Works effectively with others to accomplish common goals and objectives; maintains positive relationships even under difficult circumstances.
Ability to utilize strong interpersonal skills to guide, direct, and influence others to achieve results.
COMMUNICATION- Conveys thoughts and expresses ideas appropriately and professionally.
Excellent communication skills with the ability to accurately articulate complex technical information in both written and verbal form to internal and external audiences.
COMPLIANCE - Follows internal controls; protects confidential information; abides by GCI's Code of Business Conduct & Ethics.
CUSTOMER FOCUS - Demonstrates commitment to service excellence; gives high priority to customer satisfaction.
Ability to translate ambiguous customer needs into specific executable deliverables.
Ability to extract hidden/unrealized customer requirements and synthesize solutions within GCI capabilities.
RELIABILITY - Consistently follows through on assigned tasks as expected; demonstrates timely attendance at meetings, training, and other work obligations.
RESULTS - Uses a combination of job knowledge, initiative, sound decision making, innovation, adaptability, and problem solving.
In-depth knowledge of transport mediums (fiber/satellite/microwave/copper) with demonstrated ability to design and implement complex IP networks.
In-depth knowledge of voice and data communications equipment such as routers, switches, hubs, modems, gateways, network accelerators, firewalls, proxies, and associated interfaces.
Knowledge and understanding of typical pre/post sales activities and customer business with the ability to effectively analyze customer needs.
Knowledge and understanding of GCI products and services, including core functionality and standard configurations.
Exemplary organizational, planning, and time management skills with the ability to successfully manage conflicting priorities from multiple requestors.
SAFETY & SECURITY - Supports a safe work environment by following all workplace safety rules and guidelines; complies with applicable Security policies and procedures.
TECHNICAL PROFICIENCY - Proficient computer skills and MS Office knowledge (e.g., Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel) to complete job duties effectively.
Additional Job Requirements:
This is an entry level position within the discipline demonstrating working knowledge and proficiency in areas of responsibility. Performs moderate tasks and job duties, receiving general instruction on routine work and more detailed instruction on new assignments. Works under close supervision with some latitude for independent judgment. Supports higher level staff in implementing moderate to more complex projects.
Learn core processes, assist with proposals, and apply foundational networking knowledge while gaining exposure to GCI's standards and Variable Speed Model practices
Develop technical sales expertise and support solution design under close guidance.
Minimum Qualifications:
Required: *A combination of relevant work experience and/or education sufficient to perform the duties of the job may substitute to meet the total years required on a year-for-year basis
High School diploma or equivalent.
Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, Computer Science, Telecommunications, or relevant technical discipline. *
Minimum of one (1) year of relevant experience in sales, design & implementation within the technology or Engineering field. *
Preferred:
Current Associate or Professional-level certification in Cisco and/or Juniper (e.g., CCNP, CCDP, CCIE, JNCIP, CISSP).
Experience with IP Telephony, videoconferencing, and route/switch technologies.
Knowledge of cloud computing and hosted applications as a service (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS).
Familiarity with higher-layer technologies, back-office functionality, and business applications.
Proficiency in network documentation and Visio.
Knowledge of or experience with enterprise, healthcare, or education vertical markets.
Telecommunications experience.
Other relevant telecom industry or job specific certifications.
DRIVING REQUIREMENTS:
This position requires access to reliable transportation for in-person work at designated GCI facilities, offices, company and client worksites, or other locations as needed.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS and WORKING CONDITIONS:
Work is primarily sedentary, requiring daily routine computer usage.
Ability to work shifts as assigned, work in standard office/home office setting, and operate standard office equipment.
Ability to accurately communicate information and ideas to others effectively.
Physical agility and effort sufficient to perform job duties safely and effectively.
Ability to make valid judgments and decisions.
Available to work additional time on weekends, holidays, before or after normal work hours when necessary.
Must work well in a team environment and be able to work with a diverse group of people and customers.
Virtual workers must comply with remote work policies and agreements.
Remote Status: Eligible with Restrictions:
Role requires living within regular commuting distance of Anchorage, AK. Work may occur in-office, remotely, or at client sites depending on business needs.
The company and its subsidiaries operate in a 24/7 environment providing critical services to Alaskans and may need to respond to public health and safety matters or other business emergencies. Due to business needs employees may be contacted outside of the core business hours to respond to the immediate emergency. As such, you will be requested to provide emergency after hours contact numbers, to include your home and cell phone numbers if you have those services.
Culture, Engagement, and Connection: At GCI, we foster an environment where the unique perspectives of our employees, customers, and fellow Alaskans are celebrated. We add value to our community by nurturing and empowering each member of our workforce, ensuring equal opportunities for every Trailblazer.
EEO: GCI is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability, veteran status, or any other status or classification protected under applicable state or federal law.
DISCLAIMER: The above information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.
All employees of GCI work in support of the GCI Mission Statement and Declaration of Principles which are located on the GCI Career page and Employee portal.
