Principal Solution Architect

Role Description

The Principal Solution Architect – Dell is a field-based technical pre-sales role that focuses on developing comprehensive Dell-centric infrastructure solutions for CDW's Education customers. This role involves providing consultative guidance, supporting Dell product and solution sales, scoping service offerings, and fostering strategic relationships to drive business growth.

• 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 & Delivery management, acting as a trusted advisor to drive business growth around Dell solutions.
• Grow influence in your assigned territory by high levels of engagement with Dell, complementary partners, customers, and Sales as a strategic advisor and being seen by teammates as an expert in Dell infrastructure solutions.
• Act as a subject matter expert across multiple Dell product families and solutions, providing regular contributions 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 around best practices to engage with coworkers and customers.

Qualifications

• 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 Dell portfolio, including PowerEdge, PowerStore, PowerFlex, PowerScale, VxRail, and Data Protection solutions, is 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), is 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 the company’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 in a clear and concise manner.
• 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.

Requirements

• Pay range: $145,600 - $211,870, depending on experience and skill set
• Annual bonus target of 25% subject to terms and conditions of plan
• Salary ranges may be subject to geographic differentials

Benefits

• Benefits overview:

Company Description

CDW is a Fortune 500 technology solutions provider that helps businesses, government, education, and healthcare organizations achieve what’s possible through technology. What makes CDW different isn’t just what we do—it’s how we do it.

• At CDW we act as one—building trust, speaking candidly, and working together to achieve more.
• We play to win—focusing on what matters most and delivering for our customers.
• We think forward—staying curious, moving fast, and continuously learning.
• We believe meaningful work happens when people feel supported, heard, and empowered to contribute.
• As a full‑stack, full‑lifecycle technology partner, CDW brings deep expertise, strong relationships, and broad industry knowledge to help turn ideas into outcomes.
• Together, we deliver the full promise of what technology can do.
• Together, we Make Amazing Happen.