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Solutions Architect – Data Center

Date Posted: March 2024
Location: Maryland
Reports to: Director of Sales
Family: Sales

Data Networks has been simplifying enterprise IT since 1983.  We are a leading IT solutions provider located in Hunt Valley, Maryland focusing on Education (K-12; Higher-Education), State and Local Government, Healthcare, and Commercial customers. We hold significant contracts throughout the region and work with a broad range of leading manufacturers to provide single-source simplicity. Our comprehensive solutions include products and professional services in the areas of client computing, data center, networking, cyber-security, cloud services and managed IT services.

Data Networks has an exciting new opportunity for a technically minded, customer relations-driven Data Center Solutions Architect to join our Sales team. Reporting to the Director of Sales, the Solutions Architect will, in a pre-sales capacity, meet with customers and design solutions that drive efficiency, scalability, and performance. As a solutions architect, you will have the opportunity to collaborate with cross-functional teams, including sales, marketing, and engineering to empower our customers through data center solutions that drive success and make a lasting impact.

If you are looking for an opportunity to grow with a highly motivated team and have a rich technical knowledge base along with the positive energy for customer relations, this position may be for you! We are looking for a candidate that is excited about our mission: Empower, Inspire, Transform. Tech with Purpose. The selected candidate will also share our core values, including Be the Customer, Trust the Team, Find Your Balance, Learn and Grow, and Own It!

Job Duties and Responsibilities

  • Interact directly with customers, account executives and delivery engineers in a pre-sales capacity to identify, develop, design, qualify and research information for data center solutions that may include hardware, software, cloud, and Data Network services.
  • Execute the technical aspects of the sales cycle, including Bills of Material, Service hours, Statements of Work and Visio drawings when appropriate.   Also includes the completion of technical sections for RFP/RFI/RFQ responses.
  • Manage and proactively communicate the status of deliverables and opportunities to the sales team.  Consistently and effectively manage expectations regarding meetings, requirements, and timelines, ensuring clear communication on what is required and when a high-quality work product will be delivered to the customer.
  • Effectively manage the technical sales cycle across multiple opportunities, working with the Sales Manager and the Account Executives to prioritize as necessary.
  • Track opportunity and proposal status, BOM and State of Work creation, customer interaction and other updates utilizing the Data Networks NetSuite CRM software.
  • Participate in strategic and tactical account planning with each Account Executive.
  • Review and validate the solutions with the senior engineering service delivery team prior to submission.
  • Follow industry technology trends through self-study and formal training and share pertinent information with customers. This includes, but is not limited to, presenting at conferences, hosting webinars, and writing blog posts for the company’s website.

Knowledge and Skills

Required

  • Bachelor’s degree in computer science, information technology, or a related field.
  • Certifications in major technology vendors’ product offerings.
  • Strong knowledge of Microsoft Azure solutions.
  • Proven experience, preferably 5+ years as a Solutions Architect in a pre-sales capacity or a similar role, specifically focused on the sale and design of enterprise data center solutions and Microsoft solutions.
  • Proficiency in designing scalable architectures, aligning with industry best practices, security frameworks, and compliance standards.
  • Advanced knowledge of data center solutions including but not limited to, server and storage virtualization technologies, disaster recovery and business continuity solutions, cloud and hybrid cloud platforms, data protection, security and compliance, and automation tools.
  • Must be able to demonstrate both technical competence and proven track record of technical accomplishments in the IT field; must have a demonstrated ability to achieve results while operating independently with minimal guidance.
  • Self-motivated to develop and maintain skill set and product knowledge to improve value and to provide quality deliverables to our customers. This includes attaining designated certification requirements (Dell, Microsoft, etc.), attending product-specific training, reviewing technical literature, and obtaining hands-on experience.
  • Demonstrated interpersonal communication and presentation skills.
  • Demonstrated time management, organizational, and follow-up skills.
  • Must be able to pass a criminal background check.

Preferred

  • Dell Data Center and Microsoft Azure certifications.

Compensation

We offer a competitive compensation plan and a comprehensive benefit plan including generous time off, medical, dental, vision, flexible spending or HSA, life insurance, 401k, employee assistance program, long-term and short-term disability insurance, and opportunity for remote and hybrid work for eligible positions.

Application Instructions

To apply, please visit our Indeed posting.

Candidates must be able to provide proof of eligibility to work in the United States.

Data Networks is an Equal Opportunity Employer.