Presales Solutions Architect - Platforms

Presales Solutions Architect – Platforms

The Presales Solutions Architect – Platforms will be a customer-facing platform architecture expert. They will take a consultative approach to container, automation, and platform engineering initiatives and have a holistic understanding of modern application platforms, DevOps practices, and ecosystem technologies that enable business outcomes. The Solutions Architect will also develop and deliver new offerings to address customer requests and opportunities. This remote position may be required to report to the office in Austin, Texas, as required for business needs and as determined by SHI management.

Role Description

• Collaboration with multiple layers of contacts within client organizations, including but not limited to CIO, CTO, Platform Engineering, SRE, Developer teams, and procurement to strengthen our overall customer relationship and better understand the goals and objectives they are trying to achieve.
• Lead customer technical conversations presales engagement and own the technical strategy, execution, and opportunity through the sales cycle
• Design and sell platform and hybrid cloud solutions across on-premises and hybrid environments, including software and infrastructure, leveraging OEM and third party technologies aligned to customer outcomes.
• Understand the company's services offerings in all solution practice areas by attending company training and expanding knowledge through self-study.
• Educate sales teams on container, automation, platform architecture and hybrid cloud solution selling, and key technologies through 1x1, team, and company training.
• Staying current on new technology, trends, and market behavior by studying market trends and the industry landscape
• Engaging in self-study and independent work in lab facilities to increase job-related knowledge and skills
• Developing collateral, workshops, and other materials to assist with sales engagements
• Developing cases in the SHI lab to support sales engagements

Behaviors and Competencies

• Problem-Solving: Can proactively identify and take ownership of complex problem-solving initiatives, initiate preventative measures, collaborate with others to find solutions, and drive successful outcomes.
• Communication: Can effectively communicate complex ideas and information to diverse audiences, facilitate effective communication between others, and mentor others in effective communication.
• Adaptability: Can lead others through change, help teams adapt to new directions, and create a culture open to change.
• Leadership: Can take ownership of complex team initiatives, collaborate with others in decision-making processes, and drive team performance.
• Teamwork: Can build and lead multiple teams, fostering a cooperative environment and ensuring effective communication between team members.
• Self-Motivation: Can take ownership of complex personal or professional initiatives, collaborate with others when necessary, and drive results through self-motivation.

Skill Level Requirements

• Proven experience designing and architecting cloud-native platforms, including Kubernetes and enterprise container-based environments (e.g. OpenShift, Rancher, Tanzu) across on-premises, hybrid, or multi-cloud environments
• Deep understanding of modern DevOps and platform engineering practices (GitOps, CI/CD, DevSecOps, SDLC, Internal Developer Portal) combined with Day 2 operational experience, including observability, reliability, upgrade and lifecycle management, infrastructure-as-code, automation
• Extensive knowledge of Hybrid Cloud, DevOps, cloud-native ecosystem OEMs, third party technologies, and their value proposition to customers
• Strong understanding of platform and cloud native reference architectures, OEM hardware and infrastructure reference architectures, third-party integrations, and relevant industry compliance requirements
• Experience with cloud-native observability concepts, OpenTelemetry, Kubernetes monitoring, and observability OEMs, and AIOps
• Familiarity with cloud native application security best practices and solutions including CNAPP
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage both technical and non-technical audiences
• Attention to detail, organization, and follow-up skills
• Initiative to research and resolve problems with a positive attitude
• Exceptional relationship building skills with customers, partners, and internal stakeholders
• Strong documentation skills, including system, application, and infrastructure diagrams and executive ready presentations.
• Possess a real passion for technology
• Expert technical knowledge of cloud-native platform and DevOps solutions

Other Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience
• 5+ years of experience in a technical role
• 3+ years of experience in a presales Solution Architect role
• Travel to client locations required up to 20% for customer meetings, internal meetings or engagements, customer or partner sites, conferences and SHI offices
• Flexibility to work extended hours to complete special projects

Preferred Certifications

• Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA), Certified Kubernetes Application Developer (CKAD) or related Linux & CNCF certifications
• Red Hat Certified Openshift Architect
• Relevant professional certifications in related OEM categories including but not limited to Observability (Dynatrace, DataDog, Splunk, Elastic, etc..), GitOps/DevOps, Automation (Ansible), IAC (Terraform), Infrastructure/Containers, Platforms, CNAPP

If you do not have these certifications, it may be required within one year at SHI.

The estimated annual pay range for this position is $180,000 - $250,000 which includes a base salary and bonus. The compensation for this position is dependent on job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and market location and, therefore, will vary from individual to individual. Benefits may include, but are not limited to, medical, vision, dental, 401K, and flexible spending.

Equal Employment Opportunity – M/F/Disability/Protected Veteran Status