spennypenny

SDR (Sales Development Rep)

How to get from SDR to Solutions Engineer

hey everybody. I'm currently an SDR for a SAAS survey company. I've been an SDR there for a while and have around a 1 year total of SDR experience. I'm ready to move on.

I want to make the jump to solutions engineering but my promotional track shoots me out at AE. curious on your guys thoughts on how to get to solutions or sales engineer role from SDR.

is it better I go to AE for a year then try to get into solutions or jump to another company as a Jr solutions eng?

☁️ Software Tech

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Kosta_Konfucius

Politicker

Sales Rep

I am assuming you mean, Solutions Engineering as a SE. I would try to network with SE Managers to learn about what they look for as a new hire and learn if there are any openings.

This can be pretty applicable for any transition into a new role. Look internal first and learn what they are looking for in a candidate.

SoccerandSales

Big Shot

Account Executive

A lot of times SE teams are open to the switch, most important thing for you will be internal networking and figuring out what needs to be done to make it happen

CuriousFox

WR Officer

🦊

Make friends with the SEs there, let them know you want to join them, and ask for their guidance.

Sunbunny31

Politicker

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

Agree with the majority that you should ask the SE Manager what they are looking for, and indicate an interest.

The company for which I currently work encourages cross-department moves rather than losing good people due to a desire to move on, so I hope yours has a similar mentality. If the SE manager is dismissive (I hope not) then that's an indication you should look externally. However, you can and should still connect with your company's SEs to learn about their paths and get their recommendations. Most people, if approached, are happy to share their experiences, particularly to someone looking to follow their footsteps.

Good luck!

SADNESSLieutenant

Politicker

Officer of ♥️

Hit quota consistently then ask the se manager if you can join and what determines if you can join. Just be proactive

Douglo

Opinionated

Sr Account Executive

I've seen it happen and it's a great career if you feel you are more technical than sales. Pay can be nearly as good and in some cases better with less stress.

First thing to do is talk to your boss and figure out if this is possible at your company. Your boss should be more than happy to discuss your options. If it is, ask his/her advice on what to do to get the ball rolling.

Second thing you should do is figure out who the right SE manager is and ping them asking for a couple minutes to get coffee in person during work. They should be willing to meet with them. Tell them your intentions on becoming a SE, tell them why you want to be a SE and why you would be good and then most importantly ask them what you need to start doing to put yourself in line for that promotion.

Good luck!

ThatNewAE

Big Shot

Account Executive - Mid enterprise

- Get good hold of product first. Go over and above what a normal SDR needs to know; know more.

- Ask your immediate SC what their experience has been like. Express your interest and ask them what should you learn first in order to get there.

- Connect with SC managers and understand about vacancies.

- Let your manager know too that this is where your interest lies.

Chonkonaut

Valued Contributor

CSAM of Luke Warm Chowder

There are a plethora of solutions engineering roles. It's a customer-facing technical implementation or architect role.

However, each organization has a different hierarchy when it comes to sales & solutions engineering.

The most common path I see people doing is either going into an integration engineer role to solutions one.

You mainly work with APIs and build dashboards for customers. However, the responsibilities vary from product to product/company to company.

I would recommend learning Javascript, freecodecamp has some excellent resources to get started. Learn Javascript, then focus on learning about designing APIs.

Practice learning using Mulesoft or Postman. Build some implementations and showcase the process on Github pages as a portfolio for getting past that pesky ATS filter.

Start applying for entry level API Solution Engineer roles.

jefe

Arsonist

🍁

I agree with most everyone here - interface with the SE team.

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spennypenny

How to get from SDR to Solutions Engineer

9 comments

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