Senior Pre-Sales Architect - AI & Data Center Networking

Distinguished Technologist – Pre‑Sales AI & Data Center Networking This role has been designed as ‘Hybrid’ with an expectation that you will work on average 2 days per week from an HPE office. About HPE Networking & The Role HPE Networking simplifies networking through innovative, software‑defined products and solutions for cloud, AI, and data center environments. HPE Networking develops industry‑leading technologies that are ever more software‑defined, helping to answer the most challenging issues in connectivity. Digital transformation is everywhere, with technologies such as Multi‑Cloud, Cybersecurity, Automation, IoT, AI, Machine Learning, and 5G driving the next waves of innovation. Our Sales Engineering team empowers customers and partners to solve complex challenges with scalable, secure networking solutions. If you have over‑the‑top technical capability and curiosity; if you can influence both technical and business partners by translating business goals and challenges into technical solutions while differentiating HPE from competing solutions; if your interpersonal and high‑impact presentation skills evoke passion and confidence; if you’re a born problem‑solver that loves to get into the details and have a burning desire to answer the hard problems in a constantly evolving, results‑oriented industry - HPE Networking is the place for you! We are seeking a Senior Distinguished Technologist to lead architecture and solution design for AI/ML Networking Infrastructure, Data Center, and WAN networking opportunities globally. This role requires deep technical expertise, experience, creative problem‑solving, and strong customer engagement skills to influence and shape multi‑billion‑dollar deals. What You’ll Do Act as a primary technical architect early in complex sales cycles, working independently or with Sales Engineers to translate business needs into scalable technical solutions. Architect end‑to‑end networking infrastructure solutions with strong expertise in data center, AI networking, hyperscale environments, and WAN technologies. Lead solution design and customization, orchestrating input from specialists, systems engineers, and product teams to meet customer requirements. Deliver compelling demos, proof‑of‑concepts, and technical presentations that clearly articulate HPE Networking’s value in customer use cases. Engage with hyperscalers, large enterprises, service providers and technology partners to co‑design solutions addressing emerging challenges across industries and workloads. Influence technical strategy throughout deal validation, solutioning, and initial execution, ensuring smooth handoff to delivery teams. Develop best practices, enablement collateral, and architecture playbooks to scale solutions internally and with partners. Mentor and provide technical leadership to junior technologists and sales engineering teams. Navigate and adapt through complex technology transitions, maintaining thought leadership in networking innovations and industry trends. Role Requirements Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field required, advanced degree preferred. 15+ years of technical experience in network infrastructure architecture, design and solutions consulting, designing large‑scale AI, Cloud Data Center in hyperscale networking environments. 15+ years of industry experience applying technical expertise with JunOS, EOS, IOS and hyperscale network architecture frameworks. JNCIE or equivalent certification. Deep hands‑on expertise with hyperscale routing, MPLS traffic engineering, switching, SDN overlays (EVPN/VXLAN, MP‑BGP), Network Fabrics and DCI solutions, network provisioning, automation and monitoring (Apstra, Paragon, NETCONF/REST APIs, YANG). Familiarity with major networking silicon, hardware platforms and related software (e.g., Juniper, Arista, Cisco, SONiC, Cumulus etc.). SME in virtualization technologies on x86 and scaling using technologies such as DPDK, SR‑IOV, SmartNICs etc. Proven success in complex pre‑sales roles, with a strong ability to build relationships with senior technical and C‑Level stakeholders. Experience with programming/scripting (Python, APIs, JSON etc.) to enable solution integration and automation. Strong communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills with the ability to influence diverse technical and business audiences. Demonstrated experience designing & developing playbooks, and delivering demonstrations or live walk‑throughs for a complex variety of networking products, solutions, tools and services. Experience preparing RFP/Tender response documents like compliance to the RFP, bill of materials, commercial/pricing, and solution documents to drive a successful response. Willingness to travel up to 50%, including international travel on short notice. Additional Skills Accountability Active Learning Active Listening Assertiveness Bias Building Rapport Buyer Personas Coaching Complex Sales Creativity Critical Thinking Cross‑Functional Teamwork Customer Experience Strategy Customer Interactions Design Thinking Empathy Financial Acumen Follow‑Through Growth Mindset Identifying Sales Opportunities Industry Knowledge Intellectual Curiosity Long Term Planning Managing Ambiguity What We Can Offer You Health & Wellbeing We strive to provide our team members and their loved ones with a comprehensive suite of benefits that supports their physical, financial and emotional wellbeing. Personal & Professional Development We also invest in your career because the better you are, the better we all are. We have specific programs catered to helping you reach any career goals you have — whether you want to become a knowledge expert in your field or apply your skills to another division. Unconditional Inclusion We are unconditionally inclusive in the way we work and celebrate individual uniqueness. We know varied backgrounds are valued and succeed here. We have the flexibility to manage our work and personal needs. We make bold moves, together, and are a force for good. Job Details Job: Sales Job Level: TCP_07 The expected salary/wage range for this position is provided below. Actual offer may vary from this range based upon geographic location, work experience, education/training, and/or skill level. – United States of America: Annual Salary USD 231,500‑462,500 in Massachusetts // 231,500‑492,500 in California & New York // 203,500‑492,500 in North Carolina & Texas This range reflects the minimum to maximum combined base and target‑level sales compensation that would be paid if the hire performs at 100% of their sales plan. Of that on‑target pay amount, the mix of base salary and target‑level sales compensation is 75%/25%. Information about employee benefits offered in the US can be found at Equal Employment Opportunity HPE is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Veterans/Disabled/LGBT employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, or any other protected category, and all decisions we make are made on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need. Our goal is to be one global team that is representative of our customers, in an inclusive environment where we can continue to innovate and grow together. Please click here: Equal Employment Opportunity. Hewlett Packard Enterprise is EEO Protected Veteran/ Individual with Disabilities. HPE will comply with all applicable laws related to employer use of arrest and conviction records, including laws requiring employers to consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories. No Fees Notice & Recruitment Fraud Disclaimer It has come to HPE’s attention that there has been an increase in recruitment fraud whereby scammer impersonate HPE or HPE‑authorized recruiting agencies and offer fake employment opportunities to candidates. These scammers often seek to obtain personal information or money from candidates. Please note that Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE), its direct and indirect subsidiaries and affiliated companies, and its authorized recruitment agencies/vendors will never charge any candidate a registration fee, hiring fee, or any other fee in connection with its recruitment and hiring process. The credentials of any hiring agency that claims to be working with HPE for recruitment of talent should be verified by candidates and candidates shall be solely responsible to conduct such verification. Any candidate/individual who relies on the erroneous representations made by fraudulent employment agencies does so at their own risk, and HPE disclaims liability for any damages or claims that may result from any such communication. #J-18808-Ljbffr