About this role.
Tenable is seeking a Security Sales Engineer to support SLED and public-sector customers in the western region, based in or near Austin, Texas. The role combines cybersecurity expertise with presales consulting, including tailored product demonstrations, proof-of-value evaluations, technical discovery, and RFI/RFP support. The successful candidate will translate exposure-management findings into operational, risk, and business outcomes for government stakeholders and executive leaders. Key domain knowledge includes vulnerability and exposure management, public-sector procurement and compliance, and frameworks such as NIST, CIS, GovRAMP, and FedRAMP. The position requires customer-facing credibility, close partnership with sales representatives, and up to 25% territory travel.
Role DNA
A quick view of the complexity, pace, ownership and collaboration implied by the job description.
Job Complexity
4/5Pace & Pressure
4/5Autonomy Level
4/5Communication Load
5/5Salary analysis
Estimated compensation compared with the broader US market for similar roles.
Core skills
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Sample interview questions
I would begin with discovery around the agency's mission, asset landscape, compliance obligations, current vulnerability-management workflow, and reporting needs. I would then demonstrate the capabilities most relevant to those priorities, such as asset visibility, prioritization, remediation workflows, and executive risk reporting, using language that connects technical findings to operational impact. I would confirm success criteria throughout the session and document follow-up actions.
For the practitioner, I would explain the affected assets, attack path or vulnerability context, available remediation actions, ownership, and validation process. For the executive sponsor, I would focus on business or mission impact, likelihood, affected services, compliance implications, and the prioritized decision needed to reduce risk. In both cases, I would avoid overstating certainty and provide a clear, evidence-based remediation path.
I would account for procurement and security-review processes, data-handling rules, authorization requirements, operational change windows, and the agency's documented success criteria. I would establish stakeholders, scope, timeline, technical prerequisites, and measurable outcomes early, then maintain regular checkpoints to surface blockers. A successful evaluation should prove value while respecting the agency's security and operational constraints.
These frameworks provide a shared language for discussing control objectives, evidence, prioritization, and risk governance. I would not position a tool as a substitute for compliance, but I would show how visibility, assessment, reporting, and remediation workflows can help agencies operationalize relevant controls and produce useful evidence. I would also validate the specific framework requirements and authorization boundary applicable to each customer.
I would align with the account executive on the customer's business objective, decision process, and the exact objection before responding. I would lead the technical investigation, provide an honest and clear answer supported by demonstrations or documentation where appropriate, and identify whether product specialists or engineering resources are needed. Afterward, I would summarize the outcome, risks, and next steps so the account team maintains momentum and customer trust.
Who is Tenable?
Tenable® is the Exposure Management company. Over 40,000 organizations around the globe rely on Tenable to understand and reduce cyber risk. Our global employees support 65 percent of the Fortune 500, 50 percent of the Global 2000, and large government agencies. Come be part of our journey!
What makes Tenable such a great place to work?
Ask a member of our team and they’ll answer, “Our people!” We work together to build and innovate best-in-class cybersecurity solutions for our customers; all while creating a culture of belonging, respect, and excellence where we can be our best selves. When you’re part of our #OneTenable team, you can expect to partner with some of the most talented and passionate people in the industry, and have the support and resources you need to do work that truly matters. We deliver results that exceed expectations and we win together!
Your Role:
At Tenable, we are looking for a passionate, technically capable cybersecurity professional to join our Public Sector team as a Sales Engineer, focusing on the west region. In this role, you will be crucial in driving sales success and enhancing customer experience through technical credibility and an authentic understanding of government operations. You will work closely with Sales Representatives and a collaborative team to differentiate Tenable, build lasting customer trust, and create enthusiastic advocates for our solutions. We value strong technical curiosity, customer empathy, and growth potential—we can teach our sales process and the mechanics of the SE role to the right candidate.
Your Opportunity:
- Deliver Technical Demonstrations: Present compelling technical demonstrations of Tenable’s platform, showcasing value and differentiation tailored to public sector needs.
- Support Evaluations: Assist with enterprise software trials and “Proof of Value” evaluations to ensure they align with customer goals.
- Bridge Technical Findings to Outcomes: Translate complex technical findings and exposure data into clear risk and business outcomes for both technical practitioners and executive leadership.
- Solve Real Problems: Address government agency challenges with consultative security insights that respect their operational constraints and budget realities.
- Engage and Educate: Answer technical questions, provide security insights, and support local events, conferences, and community engagements.
- Support Sales Efforts: Partner with sales representatives to achieve revenue targets, support local technical partners serving government clients, and contribute to RFI/RFP responses.
- Build Relationships: Foster strong, trusting relationships with customers, partners, and internal peers across all levels of the organization.
What You’ll Need:
- Public-Sector Experience: Meaningful experience understanding how government organizations operate—including their missions, constraints, compliance requirements, procurement processes, and budget realities (gained from selling to, supporting, or working inside government).
- Cybersecurity Experience: Strong technical aptitude and hands-on experience in cybersecurity fundamentals (e.g., Vulnerability Management, Exposure Management, Attack Surface Management, Patch Management, CMDB, EDR, or IDAM).
- Effective Communicator & Storyteller: Clear communication and presentation skills with the potential to translate technical findings into business risk and become a strong storyteller across technical and non-technical audiences.
- Customer Empathy & Credibility: A natural instinct for customer empathy, earning trust through thorough preparation, accountability, and good judgment.
- Curiosity & Coachability: High technical curiosity, the ability to learn quickly, and the humility to receive coaching while taking personal initiative to keep developing.
- Team Player: A collaborative, team-first attitude focused on supporting colleagues and building shared success.
- Compliance Awareness: Familiarity with relevant public sector compliance standards and frameworks (e.g., CIS, NIST, State-specific regulations, GovRAMP, FedRAMP).
- Location & Flexibility: Based in or near the Austin, Texas region, with a willingness to travel within the territory as needed (up to 25%).
And Ideally:
- Tenable or ACAS Experience: Direct experience administering, using, or supporting Tenable products, or hands-on experience as an ACAS administrator, engineer, or consultant.
- Diverse Technical Background: Experience as a state/local government or higher-education security practitioner, military veteran with hands-on vulnerability management experience, public-sector security engineer/architect, or technical employee at a partner serving government clients.
- Presales Exposure: Previous sales or presales engineering experience (1–3 years) is helpful, though not required for candidates with strong foundational technical and public sector experience.
- Cloud & Infrastructure Knowledge: Foundational knowledge of major cloud infrastructure providers (AWS, Azure, GCP), network security concepts (TCP/IP), or enterprise operating systems.
- Automation Interest: Basic familiarity with or interest in scripting (e.g., Python) and automation tools.
#LI-Remote #LI-LP1
This is the base pay range for this position. Compensation for the role will depend on a number of factors, including the candidate’s qualifications, skills, competencies, location and experience, and may fall outside of the range shown. Employees are also eligible for variable compensation in addition to base pay (commission for sales roles, bonus for non-sales roles), depending on company and individual performance. Tenable also offers a variety of comprehensive and competitive benefits which include: medical, dental, vision, disability and life insurance; 401(k) retirement savings with company match; an employee stock purchase plan; an employee referral program; flexible spending accounts; an Employee Assistance Program (EAP); education assistance; parental leave; paid time off (PTO); company-paid holidays; health and wellness events; and community programs.
US Pay Range
$114,500—$152,500 USD
We’re committed to promoting Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) at Tenable – through all equal employment opportunity laws and regulations at the international, federal, state and local levels. If you need a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please contact Recruiting@Tenable.com for further assistance.
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