Cisco Solutions Engineering Sales Degree Apprentice (Level 6)

Please note this posting is to advertise potential job opportunities. This exact role may not be open today but could open in the near future. When you apply, a Cisco representative may contact you directly if a relevant position opens.

Meet the Team

Are you fascinated by technology? Do you love understanding how things work under the hood, experimenting with new tech, and finding yourself excitedly explaining technical ideas to others? If so, Solutions Engineering is where your passion meets real-world impact!

At Cisco, Solutions Engineers (also known as Systems Engineers or Pre-Sales Engineers) are the technical visionaries and trusted advisors embedded right at the heart of our global sales organization. While our commercial sales reps focus on business relationships and client strategy, Solutions Engineers bring the deep technical expertise, architectural design, and hands-on innovation that prove Cisco technology can solve the customer's toughest challenges.

As part of this 3-Year programme, you will study for a fully funded BSc (Hons) Digital and Technology Solutions Professional (DTSP) degree—a highly respected technical degree apprenticeship that builds your software, networking, security, and cloud skills. You’ll earn a competitive salary from Day 1, gain industry-standard Cisco certifications, and work alongside world-class technical mentors on live, innovative client solutions.

You will be supported every step of the way:

• Dedicated Apprentice Manager: Guides your professional roadmap, ensures academic success on your DTSP degree, and looks after your well-being.
• Senior Systems Engineer Mentors & Buddies: Experienced technical architects and former apprentices who coach you on technical labs, customer presentations, and certifications.
• Your Apprentice Cohort: A tight-knit community of fellow apprentices who collaborate on technical hackathons, share revision sessions, and grow together.
• Tailored Technical Rotations: Experience diverse engineering environments (such as Global Virtual Engineering, Enterprise Architecture, Cybersecurity Specialists, Cloud & AI Networking, and Partner Engineering).

Your Impact

Solutions Engineering is dynamic, pacey, and intellectually thrilling! You are at the crossroads of cutting-edge engineering and live customer strategy: setting up live Proof of Concepts (PoCs), configuring lab environments, and demonstrating the latest AI and security platforms to Chief Technology Officers (CTOs) and lead engineers.

Your 3-Year Journey to Becoming a Solutions Engineer:

• Year 1 (Technical Foundations & DTSP Core): Build deep technical fundamentals in networking, software programming, cybersecurity, and cloud via your DTSP degree modules and Cisco certifications (e.g., CCNA). Master Cisco’s portfolio, shadow live customer technical briefings, and learn how to build hands-on lab demos in a safe, supportive environment.
• Year 2 (Applied Architecture & Live Demonstrations): Step into active pre-sales engineering rotations. Partner with Account Managers on live client engagements, build custom Proof of Concepts (PoCs), deliver interactive product demos, and help answer deep technical questions from customer IT teams.
• Year 3 (Technical Leadership & Customer Delivery): Operate with high autonomy as an emerging Solutions Engineer. Lead technical discovery sessions with clients, architect multi-technology solutions (AI Networking, Zero Trust Security, Hybrid Cloud), complete your DTSP capstone dissertation project, and transition smoothly into a permanent SE role upon graduation.

What You Will Be Doing Day-to-Day:

• Leading technical discovery with customer engineering teams, CTOs, and network managers to unpack technical requirements and network bottlenecks.
• Designing future-ready architectures spanning AI infrastructure, enterprise networking, cyber defense, and cloud collaboration.
• Building and delivering live demos and Proof of Concepts (PoCs) that showcase Cisco technology in action.
• Partnering closely with Account Managers to craft winning technical proposals, RFPs (Requests for Proposals), and business cases.
• Running interactive whiteboard sessions and technology workshops that explain complex architectures in engaging, understandable ways.
• Keeping ahead of industry breakthroughs in generative AI, automated networking, cloud infrastructure, and cybersecurity.

Minimum Qualifications

• Currently studying for or holding A-Levels, BTEC National, or equivalent qualifications, on track to achieve a minimum of 120 UCAS points.
• Minimum GCSE Grade 4 / C (or above) in English Language and Mathematics.
• You have the right to work in the UK for the full duration of the programme.

Preferred Qualifications

• A background in STEM is preferred.
• Passion for Technology: Genuinely inspired by how technology works, loves experimenting with new tools, and eager to talk about tech innovations.
• The Technical Bridge & Influencer: Enjoys breaking down complex technical ideas and explaining them simply, enthusiastically, and compellingly.
• Creative Architectural Problem Solver: Loves puzzle-solving and figuring out how different systems, software, and hardware connect to solve real problems.
• Trusted Advisor & Active Listener: Listens deeply to customer needs, asks insightful questions, and builds lasting trust through technical credibility.
• Resilience & Curiosity: Stays curious, troubleshoots methodically when code or lab tests don't work immediately, and enjoys solving technical challenges.
• Growth Mindset & Coachability: Hungry to learn, welcomes feedback with open arms, and strives to develop both technical and commercial skills.

At Cisco, we’re revolutionizing how data and infrastructure connect and protect organizations in the AI era – and beyond. We’ve been innovating fearlessly for 40 years to create solutions that power how humans and technology work together across the physical and digital worlds. These solutions provide customers with unparalleled security, visibility, and insights across the entire digital footprint.

Fueled by the depth and breadth of our technology, we experiment and create meaningful solutions. Add to that our worldwide network of doers and experts, and you’ll see that the opportunities to grow and build are limitless. We work as a team, collaborating with empathy to make really big things happen on a global scale. Because our solutions are everywhere, our impact is everywhere.

We are Cisco, and our power starts with you.