Technical Solutions Designer – Architect – SSTSDA

Main job function

1. Key Responsibilities:

• Pre-Sales, Sales and Customer interface
• Attend and participate in internal and external meetings relevant to the pre-sales cycle
• Responsible for solution feasibility, qualification and articulation
• Determination of internal and external technology/technical, pricing and vendor requirements for Solutions
• Production and provision of architectural design and execution of solutions for customer requirements
• Ensure proposals and solution amendments are responded to with adequate quality, within prescribed timescales, with input from engineering, procurement and project delivery.
• Provide technical and solutions support and advice for Sales Team, and assist in evaluating opportunities, based on technical requirements and alignment with business capabilities.
• Ensure collaboration with vendors and partners to understand latest offerings
• Internal engagements with Sales teams
• External engagements with Customers

• Technical interface
• Consult with the Technical Teams to assist in the development of solutions (designs equipment/hardware, configurations, etc.) to meet company requirements and customer needs
• Ensuring compliance with the companies Architecture and Engineering standards, specifications, policies and protocols in the formulation of the Design Diagrams and Technical Solution Document (TSD) for all Customer solution requirements
• Owning the process and following correct approval protocol from Divisional Technical Leads
• Technical oversight of the development and delivery of the Solution over the project lifecycle
• Analysis of key performance metrics and indicators for network infrastructure to ensure service availability
• Analysis of infrastructure resource utilization, trending, and capacity planning
• Create and update documentation for all relevant procedures, solutions and architectures
• Internal engagements with technical teams

• Operations interface
• Production and provision of complete Solutions Delivery and Support Packs in line with Operations (Delivery and Support) requirements
• Solutions review post implementation and customer handover of the Solution to the customer (Designed versus As Built)
• Internal engagements with Delivery and Support teams

• Procurement and Vendor interface
• Product Development Input, ensuring product positioning is achieved, delivering key benefits, targets and deliverables
• Definition/Provision of Vendor technology requirements for selected Vendors (preferred/identified)
• Assessment of solutions proposals and quotes received from Technology Vendors
• Final selection, validation and verification of technologies and Vendors required for the Solution based on internal, external and customer requirements
• External engagements with Technology Vendors

• General
• Participate and contribute to internal and external meetings as required
• Be willing to carry out or assist with such tasks as may be required to achieve deliverables, or as reasonably requested by a member of the company
• Regularly familiarize yourself with the company’s portfolio of Products and Services, Customers, Suppliers and internal Procedures
• Be willing and able to work in such locations as relevant to the successful delivery of the assigned projects
• Always be a professional and courteous representative for the company

1. Key Relationships

• Internal Sales, Operations and Technical Teams
• Suppliers and third-party vendors
• Customers Technical Teams

1. Role Potential

• Increase in the scope of Customers and/or Solution complexities with additional experience, and improved knowledge of the company Portfolio of Services and Customers.
• More in depth involvement in the Product Development area of the business with increased responsibilities.

1. Necessary Experience and/or Qualification

• 5+ years of Pre-Sales and/or Solution Architecture experience in a service provider environment
• 5+ years of Technical Engineering experience
• Relevant network certifications an advantage i.e. Cisco, Fortinet, AWS and/or Azure
• Deep technical understanding of networking, voice and secure cloud products and services
• Knowledge and experience of physical network infrastructure
• Experience in communicating complex technical solutions directly with customers
• Experience in articulating technical designs and requirements in a structured format

1. Personal Skills/Competencies Required

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent Visio skill in creating diagrams both internal and external facing
• Excellent documentation and technical design documentation skills
• Technical and strong analytical skills required
• Creative approach to problem solving
• Interpersonal communication and customer service skills to work successfully with prospects, customers and performance teams to meet performance goals.
• Self-motivated, project and account management experience
• Travel to prospective customer’s sites as necessary
• Ability to follow standard engineering principles and practices
• Able to create strong relationships with customers