Sr Solutions Architect (Req #1408)

Description

This is a hybrid-remote role for candidates in the Chicago, IL area.

The Senior Solutions Architect is a technical adviser to customers and to the company's sales and services teams, with a focus on networking and security. You will work with customer stakeholders, sales staff and manufacturers to specify and quote product and service solutions that meet customer needs. The role calls for close attention to detail, the drive to move deals forward, and up-to-date knowledge of products and services.

Responsibilities

• Give technical guidance to sales staff and customers on networking and security solutions in your assigned focus areas, such as Cisco, Cisco Meraki, HPE, Juniper, Aruba, Arista and Palo Alto Networks.
• Earn the trust of sales staff and customers as a dependable technical source.
• Present the company's core capabilities and technical offerings to customers for your assigned accounts and focus areas.
• Help sales staff plan accounts and qualify and develop hardware, software and services opportunities from a technical standpoint.
• Write the technical sections of RFP, RFI and RFQ responses.
• Help sales staff gather customer business and technical requirements during the sales cycle and decide on the company's recommended solution.
• Design the solution architecture and produce detailed line-item configurations and bills of materials (BOMs).
• Finalize the solution proposal and presentation, and lead technical scoping and review sessions with sales staff and customers.
• Serve as the subject matter expert for customer technical staff on the proposed design, configuration, implementation and testing.
• Act as technical liaison with manufacturer channel sales and technical teams, representing the company.
• Help sales staff mentor associate account managers on opportunity management and the technical solution set.
• Share updates on solutions and manufacturer products, and lessons from past engagements, with solution architect colleagues and the service delivery team.
• Help sales staff resolve customer satisfaction issues related to the technical design or approach of a recommended solution.
• Help build customer remediation or improvement plans where needed.
• Flag product or service ideas to sales and services management as possible new solution areas for investment or development.
• Complete training and maintain manufacturer certifications as management requests and approves, for your focus area.
• Suggest improvements to regional procedures, structure and reporting.
• Propose ideas that improve functional areas.
• Arrange coverage for active and new sales opportunities when you are out for training, vacation or PTO.
• Join periodic presales engineering conference calls.
• Review the pipeline each week and forecast revenue, win probability and expected close date.
• Submit expenses, time and pipeline updates on time.
• Run company-branded lunch and learn sessions with customers and identify sales opportunities when management asks.

Requirements

• Certifications in relevant technologies are preferred.
• A technical or engineering college degree, or equivalent applicable work experience.
• Ten or more years in the partner space, or equivalent demonstrable expertise, including five or more years providing presales engineering support.
• Enterprise and data center networking and security engineering expertise, preferably with one or more of Cisco, Cisco Meraki, HPE, Juniper, Aruba, Arista and Palo Alto Networks.
• Excellent writing, communication and presentation skills.
• Strong attention to detail.

Conditions

Hybrid-remote, for candidates located in the Chicago, IL area.

Base salary is expected to be between $150,000 and $180,000 per year at the start of employment.

Actual base pay may vary based on market location, job-related knowledge, skills and experience.

Total compensation may also include commissions and discretionary bonuses.

The role is at-will, and the company may change base salary or any discretionary pay or compensation program at any time, based on individual or team performance or market factors.

The role involves seated work and occasional standing or walking. Reasonable accommodations are provided in line with applicable law.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, citizenship, disability, veteran status or any other legally protected class.

This job description is a guide and is not an employment contract.

Benefits

• Medical, financial and other benefits are available, including 401(k) eligibility.
• Paid time off includes vacation, sick time and personal leave.
• Benefit plan details are shared with candidates who receive an offer.