Senior Customer Engineer – State, Local & Education (SLED) Cloud Architecture & AI Solutions Specialist

About brighthush

brighthush is a global leader in cloud computing and artificial intelligence, empowering governments, educational institutions, and public‑sector organizations to transform their operations, enhance citizen services, and drive innovation. With a portfolio that spans secure cloud infrastructure, advanced analytics, and AI‑powered solutions, brighthush is at the forefront of the digital transformation wave sweeping the public sector. Our mission is simple: to make technology work for people, not the other way around.

At brighthush, we believe that the most impactful technology is built by people who understand the unique challenges of the public sector. That’s why we invest heavily in our people, offering continuous learning, mentorship, and a culture that celebrates curiosity, collaboration, and a commitment to public service.

Role Overview

We’re looking for a seasoned Senior Customer Engineer to join our State, Local & Education (SLED) practice. In this role, you will be the technical bridge between brighthush’s cutting‑edge cloud and AI offerings and the complex, mission‑critical environments of government and education clients. You will partner with sales, solution architects, and customers to design, demonstrate, and deploy scalable, secure, and compliant cloud solutions that meet stringent public‑sector requirements.

As a key member of the SLED team, you will:

• Lead the technical discovery and design of cloud architectures that address public‑sector pain points such as data sovereignty, regulatory compliance, and legacy system integration.
• Own the end‑to‑end proof‑of‑concept (PoC) lifecycle, from scoping and design to execution, validation, and hand‑off to implementation teams.
• Collaborate closely with sales and pre‑sales teams to craft compelling technical narratives that resonate with government stakeholders.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to clients, translating complex technical concepts into clear business value.
• Champion best practices in cloud security, governance, and cost optimization for public‑sector workloads.
• Stay ahead of industry trends, emerging technologies, and regulatory changes that impact the SLED market.

Key Responsibilities

• Technical Leadership: Design and validate cloud architectures that meet the unique compliance, security, and performance requirements of state, local, and education clients.
• Proof‑of‑Concept Ownership: Lead PoC initiatives, ensuring they are delivered on time, within budget, and with measurable success metrics.
• Solution Design & Documentation: Produce detailed design documents, architecture diagrams, and technical specifications that serve as blueprints for implementation.
• Client Engagement: Conduct workshops, demos, and technical presentations for C‑level executives, IT leaders, and procurement teams.
• Cross‑Functional Collaboration: Work hand‑in‑hand with sales, product, engineering, and support teams to align solutions with customer needs and business goals.
• Thought Leadership: Represent brighthush at industry events, webinars, and client meetings, positioning the company as a trusted partner in public‑sector digital transformation.
• Continuous Improvement: Identify gaps in current solutions, propose enhancements, and contribute to the evolution of brighthush’s product roadmap.

Essential Qualifications

• U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident with the legal right to work in the United States.
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent professional experience).
• Minimum of 10 years of hands‑on experience in cloud architecture, with a proven track record of designing and deploying large‑scale, secure cloud solutions.
• Deep expertise in cloud engineering, virtualization, containerization, and legacy migration strategies.
• Strong technical sales background, with experience translating technical capabilities into business value for enterprise clients.
• Proficiency with brighthush Cloud, brighthush Gemini, and related AI/ML services.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to articulate complex technical concepts to non‑technical audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining high quality and meeting deadlines.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with state, local, or education government agencies.
• Certifications such as AWS Certified Solutions Architect, Google Cloud Professional Cloud Architect, or equivalent.
• Knowledge of public‑sector compliance frameworks (e.g., FedRAMP, HIPAA, GDPR, NIST).
• Hands‑on experience with container orchestration platforms like Kubernetes and container‑as‑a‑service offerings.
• Background in AI/ML solution design, especially in natural language processing or computer vision.
• Previous experience in a pre‑sales or technical consulting role within a large technology vendor.

Skills & Competencies

• Technical Proficiency: Cloud architecture, infrastructure as code (IaC), CI/CD pipelines, security best practices, cost optimization.
• Analytical Thinking: Ability to dissect complex problems, identify root causes, and propose scalable solutions.
• Collaboration & Influence: Proven track record of working effectively with cross‑functional teams and influencing stakeholders at all levels.
• Customer‑Centric Mindset: Passion for understanding client needs and delivering solutions that exceed expectations.
• Adaptability: Comfortable navigating fast‑paced environments and shifting priorities.
• Leadership: Experience mentoring junior engineers and leading technical initiatives.

Career Growth & Learning Opportunities

At brighthush, your professional development is a top priority. We offer:

• Structured mentorship programs pairing you with senior leaders in cloud and AI.
• Access to a comprehensive learning platform that includes courses, certifications, and hands‑on labs.
• Opportunities to lead high‑impact projects that shape the future of public‑sector technology.
• Clear career pathways from Senior Customer Engineer to Principal Engineer, Solution Architect, or Technical Program Manager.
• Regular knowledge‑sharing sessions, tech talks, and hackathons that foster continuous learning.

Work Environment & Company Culture

brighthush thrives on a culture of innovation, inclusivity, and purpose. Our remote‑first model, based in Ohio, allows you to work from anywhere while staying connected through:

• Weekly virtual town halls and cross‑team syncs.
• Collaborative tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, and Confluence.
• Annual in‑person retreats that bring the team together for strategy, bonding, and fun.

We celebrate diversity and encourage every team member to bring their authentic self to work. Our values—customer obsession, ownership, and continuous improvement—guide everything we do.

Compensation & Benefits

While the base salary range for this role is USD 152,000 – 221,000 per year, we also offer:

• Competitive bonus structure tied to individual and company performance.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match.
• Generous paid time off, including vacation, sick leave, and personal days.
• Flexible work hours and a fully remote work environment.
• Professional development budget and tuition reimbursement.
• Employee wellness programs, including mental health resources and fitness stipends.

How to Apply

Ready to make a difference in the public sector? Join brighthush and help shape the future of government and education technology. Submit your application through our careers portal or click the link below to apply directly.

We look forward to discovering how your expertise and passion can help us deliver transformative solutions to our public‑sector partners.