Senior Sales Engineer (1020)

This is a U.S. based position. All of the programs we support require U.S. citizenship to be eligible for employment. All work must be conducted within the continental U.S.

Who we are:

Raft (https://TeamRaft.com) is a customer-obsessed non-traditional small business with a purposeful focus on Distributed Data Systems, Platforms at Scale, and Complex Application Development, with headquarters in McLean, VA. Our range of clients includes innovative federal and public agencies leveraging design thinking, cutting-edge tech stack, and cloud-native ecosystem. We build digital solutions that impact the lives of millions of Americans.

We’re looking for an experienced Senior Sales Engineer to support our customers and join our passionate team of high-impact problem solvers.

About the role:

In your role as a Senior Sales Engineer, you will serve as the crucial technical bridge between our sales team and defense clients, articulating the value proposition of Raft's Products. You'll translate complex technical capabilities into compelling narratives that align with DoD requirements in RFPs and RFIs. You'll be responsible for conducting dynamic product demonstrations, participating in technical discovery sessions with Customers, and collaborating with engineering teams to ensure our solutions meet client needs. Your ability to communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders will be essential in driving Raft's growth in the defense sector.

What we are looking for:

• 5+ years of experience in technical sales, solutions engineering, or similar customer-facing technical roles in the defense sector
• Proven track record of supporting successful DoD contract pursuits, including writing technical responses for RFPs and RFIs
• Strong understanding of defense technology procurement processes and requirements
• Experience conducting technical demonstrations that are customized to customer pain points and clearly demonstrate solution value to DoD and government audiences
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear value propositions
• Understanding of data platforms, AI/ML solutions, cloud architectures, and their applications in defense contexts
• Familiarity with defense systems, military terminology, and operational requirements
• Ability to quickly learn and articulate the value of new technologies
• Experience collaborating with cross-functional teams (sales, engineering, product)
• Willingness to travel up to 30% for client meetings, demos, and industry events
• Fast learner, analytical thinker, creative, hands-on, strong presentation skills
• Ability to thrive in fast-paced environments and manage multiple priorities

Highly preferred:

• Military background or experience working directly with DoD organizations
• Experience with battle management systems, data fusion platforms, or AI/ML applications in defense
• Understanding of edge computing and tactical deployment considerations
• Familiarity with classification levels and secure information handling
• Technical background in software engineering, data science, or systems engineering
• Experience with competitive analysis in the defense technology sector
• Certifications relevant to defense technology sales

Clearance Requirements:

• Active Secret clearance (TS/SCI preferred)

Work Type:

• Remote with preference for candidates based in one of Raft's existing hubs:
  • DC Metro Area
  • Honolulu, Hawaii
  • Hanscom, MA
  • Colorado Springs, CO
  • Tampa, FL
  • San Antonio, TX
  • Dayton, OH (near Wright-Patterson) - Currently small but designated for future growth
• Travel up to 30% (client sites, industry events, conferences)

Salary Range:

• $150,000 - $250,000 base salary plus sales commission
• The determination of compensation is predicated upon a candidate's comprehensive experience, demonstrated skill, and proven abilities

What we will offer yo