Our Client a Global Tech firm is seeking a Principle Technical Solution Architect to join their team. They offer stability, growth, competitive salary along with benefits and a great working environment.
Note this role will report into India and work from South Africa, normal South African working times will apply.
Job Description
The Principle Technical Solution Architect is responsible for the design, modification, and integration of vendor’s digital Infrastructure features to translate business requirements into technology terms. Specifically, this role identifies, match and reference software features of key vendors technologies, architecture and frameworks for digital infrastructure capabilities according to the required specifications. They take responsibility for the various aspects of the infrastructure lifecycle from applicability, functionality, design, security, and supportability, in the client’s infrastructure environment in line with business requirements and specifications.
Additionally, this candidate shall work as a Practice Lead / SME familiar with various enterprise architecture and infrastructure solution, primarily on Cisco, Juniper, Fortinet, Checkpoint, Microsoft, VMWare and/or Palo Alto and fully well-versed with the key vendor’s reference architecture, particularly on Cisco.
- Candidate needs to be a champion for key vendors validated reference architecture and be able to influence clients on the optimal High-Level Design (HLD).
- Candidate shall particulate into new capabilities development and develop user stories and test E2E solutions relating to digital infrastructure technology solution.
- The ideal candidate will be entrepreneurial with previous experience leading technical transformation engagement, and has analytic horsepower, logical reasoning ability and understanding of key vendors infrastructure solution use cases, particularly on Cisco.
Able to performs product BOM reviews and audits to ensure that the infrastructure solution are in compliance with the business and technical requirements.
Act as a liaison between OEM, OEM support, sales, delivery, and quoting team, in-terms of OEM use cases applicability versus pre-agreed requirement reconciliation.
Perform on-going review and revalidation of existing pre-determined in-scope digital infrastructure solution that will be used as a reference to the wider sales and pre-sales community within the organization.
Designs a complete and complex framework, that includes; technology infrastructure and/or applicable vendor’s technology product. Defines processes for technical platforms, system specifications, input/output and working parameters for hardware and/or software compatibility. Conceives system interfaces and/or business application prototypes. Identifies, analyzes and resolves digital infrastructure design weaknesses. Influences the shaping of future products by contributing to the framework (architecture) used across multiple products or systems. Provides multi-layered technical expertise for next generation initiatives.
Description
Principle Technical Solution Architects has cross domain level knowledge and is accountable for creating integrated digital infrastructure solutions and will collaborate and support the architectural consulting function in architecting client’s digital infrastructure solutions. Their primary objective is to ensure the optimal functioning of an entity’s Digital infrastructure solution by outlining complex infrastructure solution architecture descriptions across domains, functions and industries, then monitoring and governing the implementation.
Principle Technical Solution Architect support, manage, and administer the formulation of the Build of Materials (BOM) for key vendor’s infrastructure solution hardware, software, software products features, applicable vendor’s support services, and services across their assigned area of responsibility.
They also define and facilitate communication between the business and its providers/vendors in order to deliver digital infrastructure solution and OEM technology features according to plan and within budget, and to ensure architecture compliance.
Key Roles and Responsibilities;
- Provide expert multi-technology advice to internal clients, analysing and providing strategies and solutions on all aspects of infrastructure software, hardware features and related technology components.
- Advise and execute on the best design for information technology architectures.
- Designs and communicates high level structure to enable and guide the design and development of integrated solutions that meet current and future business needs.
- Use client business requirements to advise on the design, deployment and operation of digital infrastructures solution.
- Create designs that provide holistic views, but also contain the details of the components and interconnections between components.
- Involved with projects at the time of inception and is involved along with the project manager in the planning and governance of projects and the functional analysis (FA) of developing the initial requirements.
- Contribute advice on improving methodology frameworks.
- Manage the proof of concept (POC) initiatives.
- Researches and investigates emerging infrastructure technologies, particularly on software defined infrastructure features and the best practices associated with these trends.
- Create process/procedures around infrastructure lifecycle controls and management
- Ensure and maintain expertise and advise stakeholders on digital infrastructure solution methods, processes, best practices, technologies and tools
- Own documentations and deliver trainings to cross functional / internal teams
- Work with senior leadership team.
- Develop, implement and review operational policies and procedures
- Solid grasp of Cisco Smart accounts and Smart licensing
- Be available for internal stakeholders and client discussions on escalation and/or consumption report in detail
Skills
- Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to develop and maintain solid stakeholder relationships up to Management level
- Detailed understanding of a broad range of Hardware, Software, and Configuration operating models
- Hands-on experience in a key vendor’s quoting and/or BOM builder platform preferred.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Sound knowledge of relevant supply chain management methodologies and toolsets
- An influencer and ability to communicate at all levels within the stakeholder community
- Strong organizers who can maintain focus on assigned tasking to completion
- Ability to work under pressure and meet all given service management targets
- Engineering industry background in IT service provision
- Sound team leadership and management skills and ability
- Ability to think strategically and tactically
- Ability to construct solutions using their expertise in various functions and applicable company’s offerings
- Expert knowledge on multi-technology infrastructure software, technology features and infrastructure solution design best practices in a variety of architecture domain including Networking, Data Center, Collaboration and/or Security.
- Deep knowledge of reference architectures
- Good knowledge of project management principles
- Knowledge of vendor roadmaps, new developments and new product offerings
- Analytical in their approach
- Display the required interpersonal and communication skills to effectively interact with a variety of stakeholders
- Ability to share and communicate ideas clearly, both orally and in writing, to executive staff, business sponsors, and technical resources in clear concise language
Additional Skill:
- Knowledge of key vendors licensing models, such as Cisco, Microsoft, VMWare and Palo Alto license structure, license tools and license commercial model.
- Strong analytical and research skills
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Good negotiations and problem-solving skills
- Effective reporting and presentation skills
- Excellent commercial acumen
- High level of drive and ability to work under pressure
- Superior awareness and understanding of relevant industry trends and issues, as well as vendor organizations and business practices within the field of software license management and compliance.
- Expertise in software license management, especially in interpreting contract language and compliance.
- Expertise in contract management, especially in contract negotiations.
- Proficient understanding of financial concepts and practices as they relate to software license and contract management.
- Certified Software related certification is desired.
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology or related field of study
- IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL) Foundation qualification
- TOGAF / COBIT or related certification
Requirements
- More than 8 years’ experience in digital infrastructure of the key vendor’s infrastructure software feature and technology capabilities.
- More than 5 years’ experience in providing an end-to-end design and solution in the aspect of the digital infrastructure.
- Additional Experience for the following would be a plus:
- Demonstrable experience in multiple industries and across several disciplines
- Experience with projects through the sales engagement, pre-sales, and also architecture design validation, especially on the infrastructure software technology of key vendor, such as Cisco, VMWare, Microsoft and/or Palo Alto, as well as fully well-versed with the respective vendor’s references architecture use cases and solution structure
- Demonstrable experience working as a solution architect in a global IT services provider organisation
