Solutions Architect

About the Role

The Solution Architect utilizes their technology background to lead consultative discovery of client/prospect business goals, objectives, and challenges, translating them into effective technology and services solutions. This role involves analyzing business requirements, presenting related solutions, and driving business cases and financial justifications.

Qualified candidates will have deep experience in the communications and/or network industry in a sales-oriented, technical solution design and architecture role, with an emphasis on network architectures, IoT, Smart Office, managed services, and mobility solutions.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the technical design and architectural expert across the Granite solutions portfolio.
• Build and maintain relationships in assigned accounts to identify and cultivate additional opportunities.
• Develop solutions/strategies using technology to resolve customer issues and achieve business goals/objectives.
• Serve as a deal architect for multi-faceted, multi-technology solutions.
• Partner with other company subject matter experts to build customer solutions.
• Develop and deliver technical presentations tailored to the audience.
• Author and deliver solution designs, scope of work (SOWs), and technical project plans incorporating service and program management activities.
• Understand the competitive landscape and articulate the technical differentiation and value proposition of Granite solutions versus competitors.
• Achieve sales and profit goals through joint account planning, partner teaming (internal & external), on-site client interface/visits, engagement/solution development, and implementation support/follow-up.

Requirements

• BS or BA in Engineering or Computer Science or equivalent work experience.
• Strong business acumen and understanding of clients' IT-related business goals and challenges to ensure proper translation of needs into technology solutions.
• 10+ years in a customer/client-facing technical role (Pre/Post Sales, Sales Engineering, Consulting, Solutions Architecture, Service Delivery, etc.).
• Demonstrated and verifiable track record of prior successful customer engagements (examples of solution designs, scopes of work, and/or technical project plans are required).
• Experience in the development and implementation of IT and/or Managed Services solutions with accountability for end-to-end delivery.
• Ability to present both technical and non-technical information to broad audiences.
• Excellent interpersonal skills to effectively work in a team environment and explain complex system solutions to customers.
• Effective written communication skills.
• Current and valid industry certifications in one or more of the following: BICSI - Registered Communications Distribution Designer (RCDD).

Preferred Qualifications

• Proven experience with one or more of the following technologies and/or service solutions:
  • ConnectWise PSA and/or CPQ
  • Data Center Technologies
  • IoT Endpoints
  • Computing Devices, Smart Boards, Climate Control, Digital Signage, Interactive Kiosks, Smart Lighting, Analytics
  • Network Architecture
• Working knowledge of the following:
  • Routers, VPN and Firewall – Cisco and Fortinet
  • Switches – Cisco, HP
  • WAN – SDWAN, PTP, MPLS, and VPN Topologies
  • Data Centers – Cloud (UCaaS), Hypervisors, Server Farms, SAN, Leaf-Spine Topology
  • Wireless – Cisco/Meraki, HP/Aruba, Aerohive, Ruckus
  • Network Assessment Tools – Netformx, Ekahau, AirMagnet, iBwave, SolarWinds
  • Managed Services
  • Managed Wi-Fi
  • IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service)
  • NaaS (Network as a Service)
• Current and valid industry certifications in one or more of the following preferred:
  • BICSI - Data Center Design Consultant (DCDC)
  • Cisco/Meraki
  • HP/Aruba
  • TOGAF
  • ITIL
  • CompTIA
• Preferred hybrid out of Murfreesboro, TN or remote.