Principal Solution Architect - Dell

About the Role

This is a field-based technical pre-sales role focused on developing comprehensive Dell-centric infrastructure solutions for CDW's Education customers. The Principal Solution Architect partners with customers, delivery teams, and internal sales to provide consultative guidance, support Dell product and solution sales, scope service offerings, and foster strategic relationships to drive business growth.

Responsibilities

• Develop appropriate assessment and service solutions for CDW customers, including architecture, optimizations, technology health checks, deployment services, and advisory services, with a primary focus on Dell solutions.
• Collaborate with customers, delivery teams, and internal sales to offer consultative guidance, plan sales strategy, and author statements of work (SOWs) aligned to Dell infrastructure and platform offerings.
• Analyze technical and competitive considerations, defining actions to meet customer expectations in the sales cycle by uncovering customer long-term goals and requirements and crafting Dell-based solutions that build towards the desired end goals.
• Maintain strategic relationships with customers, internal sales, and delivery management, acting as a trusted advisor to drive business growth around Dell solutions.
• Grow influence in your assigned territory through high levels of engagement with Dell, complementary partners, customers, and sales as a strategic advisor and subject matter expert in Dell infrastructure solutions.
• Act as a subject matter expert across multiple Dell product families and solutions, contributing to CDW marketing-approved online activities such as LinkedIn, blog posts, and online publications.
• Drive outreach initiatives, technical enablement projects, coaching, and mentoring for other Solution Architects, Solution Executives, and Field Sellers related to Dell solutions.
• Mentor and coach solution architects on best practices for engaging with coworkers and customers.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience, OR 8 years in a technical, pre-sales, or post-sale delivery role.
• Experience designing and architecting Dell infrastructure solutions tailored to CDW’s client needs.
• Experience designing and architecting datacenter and hybrid solutions leveraging Dell compute, storage, and data protection platforms.
• Strong familiarity with the Dell portfolio, including PowerEdge, PowerStore, PowerFlex, PowerScale, VxRail, and Data Protection solutions (a plus).
• Familiarity with complementary platforms such as VMware, Microsoft Server, Hyper-V/Azure Local, Nutanix, and Veeam, as well as exposure to public cloud (Azure or AWS) (a plus).
• Motivated, self-starting, and able to independently perform high-quality work with minimal guidance.
• Understanding of industry-specific challenges, regulations, and best practices.
• Ability to provide tailored recommendations and position CDW’s Dell-focused solutions effectively within the industry landscape.
• Ability to work effectively in a team, lead technical discussions, and influence decision-making.
• Customer-centric mindset with the ability to understand and articulate customer needs effectively.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills to engage with customers, gather requirements, and explain technical concepts clearly and concisely.
• Strong ability to design and communicate comprehensive Dell-based solutions that address customer requirements, business challenges, and build consensus around the final solution.
• Skilled in analyzing complex problems, identifying appropriate solutions, and translating technical concepts into understandable terms for customers.

Pay

Pay range: $145,600 - $211,870, depending on experience and skill set. Annual bonus target of 25% subject to terms and conditions of the plan.

Benefits

Benefits overview available at CDW Benefits.

About Us

CDW is a Fortune 500 technology solutions provider that helps businesses, government, education, and healthcare organizations achieve what’s possible through technology. We act as one—building trust, speaking candidly, and working together to deliver for our customers. We focus on what matters most, stay curious, move fast, and continuously learn. As a full-stack, full-lifecycle technology partner, CDW brings deep expertise, strong relationships, and broad industry knowledge to turn ideas into outcomes. When you join CDW, you become part of a collaborative environment where your work matters, your growth is supported, and your contributions help shape what’s next.