About the roleElement451 is looking for a Solutions Engineer who thrives at the intersection of technology, storytelling, and creativity. This role is ideal for someone who loves to build, test, and perform - someone who can turn a complex AI platform into a story that connects emotionally and intellectually with higher-ed leaders. You will design and deliver demos and proof-of-concepts that show how Element451's AI agents, automations, and personalization tools change the student experience, working closely with Sales, Product, and Customer Success.
What you will do- Build and deliver personalized, story-driven demos aligned to each prospect's goals and institutional challenges
- Partner with Account Executives to shape demo strategy that highlights value, differentiation, and real-world outcomes
- Translate complex technical capability into clear narratives for non-technical stakeholders
- Serve as the face of Element451 in presentations, bringing energy and creativity to every engagement
- Scope, configure, and deliver hands-on, time-boxed POCs, including building and training AI agents, prompt workflows, and knowledge bases
- Define and track POC success metrics such as conversion rate, cycle time, and engagement
- Ensure data security, FERPA compliance, and accessibility standards throughout every engagement
- Create reusable demo assets and act as an internal champion for AI fluency
Must haves- 4 years in solutions engineering, pre-sales, or technical consulting (SaaS required, higher-ed tech preferred)
- Proven track record delivering demos or POCs that drive engagement and conversion
- Strong personality and people skills - this role is about connecting with people first, not technical depth for its own sake
- Advanced, hands-on fluency with AI tools, including Claude and Claude Cowork
- Solid understanding of CRM systems, APIs, data integration, and no-code/low-code tools
- Exceptional communication and presentation skills, able to simplify complexity and inspire confidence
Nice to haves- Background in higher education, admissions, enrollment, or marketing
- Experience with platforms like HubSpot, Slate, or Salesforce
- Familiarity with automation and AI engagement platforms (ChatGPT, Zapier, Dialogflow)
- Direct experience at a competitor (Slate, Ellucian, EAB, Anthology, Salesforce Education Cloud)
