Principal Solutions Engineer Jobs in Illinois

INTRODUCTION

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 Global Presales Team

The Global Presales organization at Okta unites a diverse community of experts—including Solutions Engineers, the Office of the Field CTO, Architects, and Specialists—who combine deep technical expertise with strategic business insight. This team acts as trusted advisors to our customers and partners, helping them unlock the full potential of Okta’s Identity Platform. We ask insightful questions, uncover complex challenges, and deliver tailored solutions that drive customer success.

Principal SE - Strategic Accounts

The Principal SE - Strategic Accounts will serve as a technical sales strategist, operator, and business partner to Okta’s AMER Strategic Account Directors —accelerating strategic deals, scaling key pursuits, and enabling repeatable success across Okta’s Key Accounts segment.
You will collaborate closely with Strategic Account Directors, GTM leadership, and product stakeholders to:

• Lead pursuit strategy for select large, multi-stakeholder deals.
• Drive AI, partner strategy and strategic sales pursuits across large enterprise accounts.
• Build and operationalize repeatable sales motions, partner strategies, and AI-enabled sales plays.
• Scale and institutionalize best practices that improve win rates and deal velocity.

What You’ll Be Doing

Strategic Planning & Execution:

- Serve as a trusted advisor to Okta’s Strategic Account Directors and sales leadership, helping to support and execute go-to-market strategies for high-impact pursuits.
- Assist in developing frameworks and methodologies to increase consistency and predictability across strategic deal cycles.
- Partner with the Office of the FCTO to align AI and platform sales narratives with market trends.

Strategic Initiatives:

- Support the planning and execution of AI-driven and enterprise-scale sales initiatives across key industries and territories.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive pursuit discipline, storytelling excellence, and deal orchestration.
- Guide account teams on value-based selling strategies, connecting identity outcomes to measurable business impact.

Ecosystem & Thought Leadership:

- Engage with industry and partner ecosystems to promote Okta’s leadership in AI-enabled identity sales.
- Represent Okta in field events, customer summits, and strategic planning forums.
- Foster collaboration across GTM teams to enhance pipeline growth and field readiness.

Innovation and Strategy:

- Engage in initiatives that enhance Okta’s competitive differentiation and accelerate long-term growth.
- Surface field insights and customer trends to inform global GTM strategy and product roadmap alignment.

What You’ll Bring to the Role

Required:

- 12+ years of experience in identity, cybersecurity, SaaS, or AI-related domains.
- Proven track record of driving strategic sales programs and large, complex deal pursuits.
- Strong understanding of AI/ML applications in enterprise go-to-market and security contexts.
- Experience in developing C-level messaging and participating in executive-level engagements.
- Strong communication and presentation skills, with experience contributing to technical events.

Preferred:

- Prior experience in a Field CTO, Strategic Advisor, or Sales Strategy role in a high-growth SaaS organization.
- Demonstrated success in executing AI-enabled or platform-based sales motions.
- Strong understanding of Okta’s platform, ecosystem, and identity security landscape.
- Experience working with Fortune 100 enterprises or large regulated industries.
- Knowledge of frameworks such as MEDDPICC, Challenger, or other enterprise sales methodologies.
- Ability to thrive in a matrixed environment, balancing strategic vision with operational execution.
- Passion for innovation, collaboration, and customer success.

This role requires in-person onboarding and travel to one of our U.S. office's during the first week of employment.

COMPENSATION

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:
$228,000 — $342,000 USD

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.

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.

Okta is committed to complying with applicable data privacy and security laws and regulations. For more information, please see our Personnel and Job Candidate Privacy Notice at https://www.okta.com/legal/personnel-policy/.