Solution Architect

Solution ArchitectAs a Solution Architect at STEP, you will be a technology leader responsible for pre-sales opportunities and delivery of consulting engagements identifying, anticipating, and crafting solutions to our customer's Business and IT needs. This is a remote position with travel required as position duties dictate. Solution Architects are assigned a primary geography and are expected to research, design, quote, consult and advise on STEP CG networking and security infrastructure solutions with expertise in our key partners, protocols, and technologies.The ideal candidate is a dynamic, revenue-generating Solution Architect with excellent communication skills that has practical experience deploying IT networking technology. Solutions Architects are continual hands-on learners with curiosity to hone their craft, identify and solve business problems. The Solution Architect is part of a larger engineering team supporting peers in successful diagnosis, troubleshooting, and resolution of customer IT infrastructure challenges. Periodically, the Solution Architect will also get to assist lead implementation engineers with larger, more complex deployments to keep skills sharp and to mentor and assist on their winning solution designs.What Success Looks LikeBe always a team player, raising awareness of risks, while supporting the teams' design, implementation, and support of our solutions. Willing to jump in and assist with any work efforts or responsibilities as needed.Develop and maintain effective relationships with management, customers, partners, and team members.Be part of a supportive team that develops and deploys solutions that exceeds expectations and affects improvement.Strive for excellence, both personally and professionally.Channel your enthusiasm to innovate, educate and improve.Respond promptly to customer and coworker communications, address problems effectively, and work toward timely resolution.Core Duties and ResponsibilitiesLead pre-sales efforts providing STEP Account Managers, customers and peers technical design and guidance including creation of architecture and related materials.Be responsive, accurate and thorough in creation of BoMs, SOWs, logical designs other technical work products.Work collaboratively across STEP teams to deliver quality solutions to our customers.Collaborate to troubleshoot customer and peer engineers' OSI networking issues from layer 1-7 to firewall & RADIUS/TACACS security when needed in escalations.Attain industry standard and manufacturer specific certifications directed by STEP CG leadership.Commit lab time to vet out new solutions and widgets from manufacturers to build "know how" and identify bugs in order to deliver best in class STEP CG solutions to our customers.Assist in maintaining and contributing to our in-house and customer facing wiki.Build your organizational skills and use those to contribute to more effective outcomes.Perform other duties or tasks as assigned.Ideal Candidate's Qualifications and ExperienceBachelor's degree in Computer Science or equivalent experience.5+ years of relevant experience required.Experience in layer 3 - layer 7, routing, switching, firewall, NAC, and WiFi, Policy.Experience and knowledge of integration and programing languages such as PHP, Python, RESTful APIs, ruby, bash, TCL, and Perl is desired.Expected to match or exceed manufacturer Sales Engineering skill sets with strong fundamental knowledge & experience in Ethernet, IP, RF, Firewall, RADIUS, IPSec, NAC, the OSI model, security, and wireless solutions.Experience with L2/L3 wired and wireless networking of Extreme (SpB/Fabric), Fortinet Solutions Suite (Forti-X), and HP/Aruba (ClearPass) a plus. Experience with Pal Alto network security solutions also a plus.Excellent written and verbal communication skills.Excellent organizational, time management and attention to detail skills.Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite or similar software.Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.Ability to effectively communicate with strong command in the English language.This is a remote, work from home position with some travel included as position duties require. Ideal candidates are located in or near Pittsburgh, PA, Philadelphia, PA, Hartford, CT, or Rochester, NY.