Solutions Architect - Software-Defined Data Center

About Us

Since 1989, SHI International Corp. has helped organizations change the world through technology. We’ve grown every year since, and today we’re proud to be a $16 billion global provider of IT solutions and services.

Over 17,000 organizations worldwide rely on SHI’s concierge approach to help them solve what’s next. But the heartbeat of SHI is our employees – all 7,000 of them. If you join our team, you’ll enjoy:

• Our commitment to diversity, as the largest minority- and woman-owned enterprise in the U.S.

• Continuous professional growth and leadership opportunities.

• Health, wellness, and financial benefits to offer peace of mind to you and your family.

• World-class facilities and the technology you need to thrive – in our offices or yours. 

Job Summary

The Solutions Architect - SDDC will assist SHI's customers in the post-sales implementation of data center infrastructure automation initiatives (Software-Defined Data Center) as clients move towards modern data center solutions and private clouds. This delivery role involves low-level design and the hands-on deployment of enterprise infrastructure and platforms, providing upgrade and migration services, and ensuring seamless integration with existing systems. Additionally, the Solutions Architect – SDDC serves as a mentor to other consultants within the team

This position is a remote position with Home Office setup as determined by SHI management.

Role Description

• Performs low-level design and implementation work that may include architecture analysis and design, system migration, and systems engineering

• Responsible for the design and implementation of:

  • VMware VCF (VMware Cloud Foundation) version 9.x, both Brownfield and Greenfield

  • VMware VCF (Aria) Automation

  • VMware VCF Operations

  • Automation and IaC technologies such as SaltStack, Terraform, or Ansible

  • Proficiency in PowerShell, PowerCLI, and Javascript

  • Server virtualization & operations

  • vSAN, Storage, & SAN

  • Disaster recovery

  • VMware NSX and general virtual networking

  • Backup & ransomware resiliency solutions

  • Hyperconverged solutions

• Serve as the technical lead and subject matter expert on projects and workshops, overseeing the work of others and being accountable for the outcome of the project

• Collaborate with sales and presales teams in identifying and closing professional services opportunities through customer discovery and scoping meetings

• Configuration and upgrade services within our customers’ environments

• Serve as a mentor and provide guidance to other architects and consultants within the team

• Participate in pre-sales conversations, design, planning of services engagements

• Stay up to date and on top of top industry trends and offerings

• Provide technical leadership and mentorship in a pre-sales and post-sales capacity to support successful understanding, evaluation and adoption of offerings

• Demonstrate long-term thinking as it relates to our Infrastructure practice and customer 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

• Proficiency in overseeing and directing projects to completion, ensuring goals are met, resources are utilized efficiently, and stakeholders are satisfied - Expert

• Ability to systematically identify, document, and manage the technical needs and specifications of a project by engaging with stakeholders and analyzing business objectives to ensure successful project outcomes - Expert

• Ability to define, design, build, and maintain robust systems and solutions by leveraging systems and infrastructure effectively - Advanced

• Ability to write, debug, and maintain code in various scripting and programming languages to automate tasks and develop software solutions - Advanced

• Ability to understand and manage various infrastructure components (firewalls, load balancers, hypervisors, storage, monitoring, security) and use orchestration tools to develop comprehensive technical solutions - Advanced

• Ability to develop detailed Statements of Work (SOWs) and drive revenue growth through professional services engagements 

• Extensive experience working on large scale IT projects related to design, deployment and configuration - Advanced

Additional Requirements

• Ability to define, design, build, and maintain systems and solutions leveraging systems and infrastructure

• Strong troubleshooting skills

• Strong written and verbal communication skills

• Excellent organizational and project management skills

• Strong analytical and research skills

• Ability to guide other consultants within the team

• Strong project time management and communication skills

• Consultative approach to deploying enterprise architecture

• Required Certification in one of the following: VCP – VMware Cloud Foundation Administrator, VCP – VMware Cloud Foundation Architect

• Optional Certifications in one of the following:  VCAP – VMware Cloud Foundation Automation; VCAP – VMware Cloud Foundation Operations; VCAP – VMware Cloud Foundation Architect

Other Requirements

• Completed Bachelor’s Degree or relevant work experience

• 5+ years of experience in solutions architecture or working with infrastructure (blade chassis, and servers, hypervisors, storage and storage fabrics, backup solutions)

• 7+ years of experience with VMWare and associate product range in enterprise environments

• 8 - 10+ years of technical experience with increasing responsibility

• Willingness to travel occasionally

• Thorough understanding of virtualization technologies & software-defined datacenter

The base salary for this position is $150,000 - $200,000. The estimated on-target earnings, or OTE, which includes a base salary and bonus/commissions, are $180,000 - $220,000. 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