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Senior Manager, Solutions Engineering, SLED

Okta · Chicago, IL · SE Field-321

Posted Sep 21, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a team of solutions engineers you led. How did you measure their impact?

What they are checking: Whether they manage to outcomes like technical wins and deal influence, not just activity counts.

Tell me about a time you and a sales leader disagreed on a deal strategy. How did you resolve it?

What they are checking: Whether they can partner with sales as an equal while keeping the customer's real needs in front.

Tell me about a hire you made that didn't work out. What did you learn?

What they are checking: Whether they reflect honestly on people decisions and improve how they hire.

What would you do

How do you coach a solutions engineer who is technically strong but weak at discovery?

What they are checking: Whether they can develop the questioning skills that Okta's posting puts at the center of the role.

A university wants single sign-on for students, faculty and alumni with very different needs. How would your team approach it?

What they are checking: Whether they can think through real higher education identity problems like lifecycle and mixed user types.

How do you split SE time across a large territory of accounts?

What they are checking: Whether they allocate scarce technical resources to the deals that matter most.

How do you keep your team current on new products like identity governance or AI agent security?

What they are checking: Whether they invest in ongoing enablement so the team can sell what's next, not just what's familiar.

About the work

What's different about selling identity to state, local and higher education customers compared to commercial enterprises?

What they are checking: Whether they understand public sector procurement, budgets, compliance and long cycles.

How do compliance requirements like StateRAMP or CJIS come up in your deals, and how do you prepare your team?

What they are checking: Whether they know the compliance hurdles that decide many public sector identity purchases.

How do you help your team respond to a long, detailed public sector RFP?

What they are checking: Whether they can run an RFP process that is accurate, on time and doesn't burn out the team.

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The full job description

As published by Okta.

Secure Every Identity, from AI to Human Identity is the key to unlocking the potential of AI. Okta secures AI by building the trusted, neutral infrastructure that enables organizations to safely embrace this new era. This work requires a relentless drive to solve complex challenges with real-world stakes. We are looking for builders and owners who operate with speed and urgency and execute with excellence. This is an opportunity to do career-defining work. We're all in on this mission. If you are too, let's talk. The Okta SLED Accounts Solutions Engineering Team Okta Solutions Engineering team members have the rare combination of technical savviness and business insight and will hone each of these skills through advising a diverse set of customers on what is possible using Okta’s Identity Platform. We believe that Okta’s Solutions Engineers must empathize with customers and quickly discern their true technical needs by asking detailed and clarifying questions and presenting solutions that target those needs.  The Okta Solution Engineering Manager Opportunity Reporting to the Director of Solutions Engineering for Public Sector Accounts, this role will lead a team of Solution Engineers, working with Okta’s State, Local, and Higher Education (SLED) accounts across the US. Our Solutions Engineering leaders are adept at seeing ahead to future possibilities and translating them into breakthrough strategies. They are particularly results focused and partner closely with our Sales leadership to create and execute a plan of action to achieve our growth targets.  What you’ll be doing  • Solution Engineering leaders prioritize the success of their team. You are responsible for working with your team on their professional growth through defined development plans and experiences. • You own and report on the business impact of your team as they work with prospects who are evaluating the Okta identity platform.  Team activities include demonstrations, technical deep dives, trials and proof-of-value evaluations.  • You will actively work on deals, proposing strategies to help insure the success of opportunities.  This includes frequently participating in on-site deal support. • You will always promote the sense of “team within a team” by collaborating with the greater Pre Sales teams and business units at Okta. • Always recruiting!  You will attract, recruit, ramp, and mentor a team of great Solutions Engineers from diverse backgrounds and experiences.   What you’ll bring to the role • Demonstrated success selling to US Public Sector (SLED preferred, or FED) Agencies. Ability to influence technical decision makers and executives, and service as an executive sponsor. Experience with and proponent of MEDDPICC and Value/Outcome based selling methodologies. • A vision for Okta’s opportunity in the market and how our customers will leverage Okta solutions to drive business outcomes. • 12+ years Pre Sales experience with 4+ years of managerial/leadership experience • Bachelors of Science in engineering, science or mathematics or equivalent experience And extra credit if you have experience in any of the following!  • Expertise in security product market trends and directional awareness of Okta’s roadmap and technology development efforts. Knowledge around the Okta platform and competitor product offerings. • Competency with security concepts and solutions; knowledge of customer enterprise security security software (firewalls, proxies, VPN, CASB, databases and applications) preferred.  P14634_3553839 Below is the annual On Target Compensation (OTE) range for candidates located in California (excluding San Francisco Bay Area), Colorado, Illinois, New York and Washington. Your actual OTE, which is inclusive of base salary and incentive compensation, will depend on factors such as your skills, qualifications, experience, and work location. In addition, Okta offers equity (where applicable) and benefits, including health, dental and vision insurance, 401(k), flexible spending account, and paid leave (including PTO and parental leave) in accordance with our applicable plans and policies. To learn more about our Total Rewards program please visit:  https://rewards.okta.com/us .  The annual OTE range for this position for candidates located in California (excluding San Francisco Bay Area), Colorado, Illinois, New York, and Washington is between: $252,000 — $347,000 USD The Okta Experience • Supporting Your Well-Being   • Driving Social Impact  • Developing Talent and Fostering Connection + Community We are intentional about connection. Our global community, spanning over 20 offices worldwide, is united by a drive to innovate. Your journey begins with an immersive, in-person onboarding experience designed to accelerate your impact and connect you to our mission and team from day one. Okta is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, marital status, age, physical or mental disability, or status as a protected veteran. We also consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and convictions records, consistent with applicable laws. If reasonable accommodation is needed to complete any part of the job application, interview process, or onboarding please  use this Form to request an accommodation. Notice for New York City Applicants & Employees: Okta may use Automated Employment Decision Tools (AEDT), as defined by New York City Local Law 144, that use artificial intelligence, machine learning, or other automated processes to assist in our recruitment and hiring process. In accordance with NYC Local Law 144, if you are an applicant or employee residing in New York City, please  click here to view our full NYC AEDT Notice.

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