Title:  Director, North America Solutions Engineering Programs & Strategy

JOB SUMMARY

NetApp’s technical field organization brings together two complementary groups that jointly support our customers: field-aligned Solutions Engineers (SEs) who partner directly with sales teams in day-to-day account engagement, and specialized Solutions Architects (SAs) who provide deep expertise across key solution domains such as data protection, AI, cloud modernization, and enterprise applications.

The Director of Solutions Engineering Programs & Strategy leads the development and execution of the programs, operating models, and cross-functional alignment that enable these teams to operate cohesively and at scale. Sitting horizontally across both organizations, this leader ensures unified field motions, consistent execution across regions, and tight alignment with product, engineering, partners, and sales leadership.

The ideal candidate has a strong background in data infrastructure, understands the dynamics between generalist SEs and overlay specialist teams, and has experience building GTM programs or operational frameworks that elevate the performance of large technical field organizations.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategy & Operating Frameworks

• Build and operationalize North America–wide strategies that strengthen execution across both field-aligned SEs and specialist SA teams.
• Establish governance models, operating rhythms, and performance metrics that drive clarity, accountability, and consistency across teams.
• Translate technical, product, and business objectives into actionable and scalable programs aligned to GTM outcomes.

Program Leadership

• Develop and lead programs that drive solution adoption, technical readiness, pipeline contribution, and customer engagement across all regions.
• Create unified field motions and playbooks that define how SEs and specialist architects collaborate throughout the customer journey.
• Convert structured field insights into improvements for enablement, product readiness, and solution positioning.
• Collaborate closely with Product Management, Engineering, Sales Operations, Field Marketing, and Professional Services to operationalize strategic technical priorities.

GTM Alignment & Execution

• Partner with sales leadership, revenue operations, partner teams, and field organizations to ensure consistent program execution across segments.
• Drive alignment between generalist SEs and specialist SA teams to improve customer experience, coverage, and solution engagement.
• Standardize frameworks, messaging, and approaches for solution execution across North America.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• 10+ years of technical field experience (Solutions Engineering, Solutions Architecture, Technical Specialists, Field CTO/Architect roles, or similar).
• Deep understanding of both overlay specialist models and field-aligned SE models, including how each supports different stages of the technical sales cycle.
• Industry expertise in data infrastructure, cloud, storage, or enterprise architecture.
• Demonstrated success designing or scaling technical field programs, operating models, or GTM motions.
• Proven experience working cross-functionally with Product, Engineering, Partners, Sales, and Enablement organizations.
• Strong understanding of partner-led technical motions and experience driving partner alignment and technical co-selling strategies.
• Executive-grade communication, strategic thinking, and stakeholder management abilities.
• Ability to create structure, governance, and operational discipline within fast-moving technical environments.

Preferred

• Experience supporting both generalist and specialist technical teams.
• Background developing field motions for analytics, AI, data protection, cloud modernization, or enterprise applications.
• Experience building dashboards, KPIs, scorecards, or measurement systems for field execution.