AHEAD

Builds and manages enterprise technology

Network Specialist Solutions Engineer

Pre-Sales Solution EngineeringConfirmed live in the last 24 hours

Full-timeNo salary listedRemote

About the Job

Requirements

Mastery of Cisco Route/Switch and/or data center technologies.
Experience or eagerness to learn network and system/access design using Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, or other cloud services.
Experience in network infrastructure.
Cisco certifications are required, with CCIE and CCNP given as examples.
Knowledge of Cisco Nexus 9K, ACI, 7K, 5K, 2K, and 1K.
Experience with converged network fabrics or converged infrastructure systems.
Knowledge of IP routing protocols.
Knowledge of Layer 2 protocols and technologies.
Knowledge of Cisco core data center technologies.
Knowledge of ACI.
Knowledge of network management.
Knowledge of MPLS, DMVPN, and multicast.
Knowledge of firewalls, VPN, IPSec, and L2TP.
Knowledge of network security.
Advanced understanding of automation frameworks and scripting for data center operations.
Analytical and troubleshooting skills for complex data center environments, including storage, compute, and networking issues.
Knowledge of network security best practices and compliance and regulatory standards.
Knowledge of job-associated software and applications.

Responsibilities

Participate actively in the AHEAD Network SSE team, advisory teams, and delivery teams.
Work with the AHEAD partner management team and selected strategic vendors to maintain technical and sales relationships.
Design, architect, and at times consult for AHEAD clients as a thought leader within the Solutions Engineering organization.
Build skills, relationships, and industry credibility across segments to drive product, services, and consulting sales.
Support sales teams during engagements by providing advice, solutions, or proposals that meet customer technical and business requirements.
Develop relationships with Network SSE team members, leaders, and partners to support sales objectives.
Strategize and execute technical sales calls.
Complete required pre-sales documentation, including configurations, pricing, services, presentations, and justifications, accurately and promptly.
Qualify sales opportunities based on customer technical requirements, decision-making processes, and funding.
Present and market proposed AHEAD solutions and their value and business justification to customers, prospects, and AHEAD management.
Participate in mentoring entry-level team members.
Identify and leverage emerging data center technologies to develop innovative solutions for evolving client needs.
Engage with clients as a trusted advisor and guide their decision-making with clear, strategic recommendations.
Collaborate across sales, engineering, and vendor partner teams to deliver cohesive solutions.
Stay updated on industry trends, certifications, and best practices related to data center technologies.

Desired Qualifications

Willingness to learn new technologies, including multiple SDN solutions, network security, load balancing, edge/acceleration, and cloud technologies.
Interest in developing skills beyond traditional on-premises Cisco solutions.
Understanding of cloud computing and its role in solution design.

AHEAD’s Specialist Solutions Engineers are the technical experts that collaborate with our AHEAD account teams to help identify, qualify, and build solutions that support our customer’s Digital Business transformation.

The AHEAD Network Specialist Solutions Engineer (SSE) will be focused on Networking technologies. A core tenet and base requirement for this position is mastery of Cisco Route/Switch and/or Datacenter technologies. Outside of this core tenet, our expectation is to attract, recruit and attain resources who have a desire to focus not only on traditional on-premises Cisco solutions, but also to be looking to career, technology and skill advancement by being actively willing to demonstrate skills and ability to learn new technologies including multiple SDN solutions, network security, load balancing, edge / acceleration, and cloud technologies. Understanding that the impetus and impact of Cloud computing is real and should be incorporated into solutions is key. Experience or eagerness to learn about and with network and system / access design with Amazon AWS, Microsoft Azure or other cloud services is a key requirement.

The SSE is considered a subject matter expert in these areas with responsibility for selling and designing complex solutions. The SSE is also considered an organizational thought leader for their specialty area.

Responsibilities:

Active participation in the AHEAD Network SSE team, advisory and delivery teams.
Working with the AHEAD partner management team and directly with selected strategic vendors to maintain technical and sales relationships.
Be a thought leader within the Solutions Engineering organization, responsible for designing, architecting, and at times consulting for AHEAD clients.
Build skills, relationships, and industry credibility across many segments to drive product, services, and consulting sales.
Support the sales teams during engagements by providing advice and solutions or proposals optimized to meet customer technical and business requirements.
Develop relationships with other Network SSE team members, leaders, and partners in support of sales objectives.
Strategize and execute technical sales calls.
Complete required pre-sales documentation (configurations, pricing, services, presentations, justifications, etc.) quickly and accurately.
Qualify sales opportunities in terms of customer technical requirements, decision-making process, and funding.
Present and market the design and value of proposed AHEAD solutions and business justification to customers, prospects, and AHEAD management.
Participate in the mentorship of entry-level team members.
Possess strong, detailed product/technology/industry knowledge.
Knowledge of job-associated software and applications.

Qualifications:

Network Infrastructure Experience
Cisco certifications are required. Examples: CCIE, CCNP
Cisco Nexus 9K, ACI, 7K, 5K, 2K, 1K
Experience with Converged Network Fabrics / Converged Infrastructure Systems.
IP Routing Protocols
Layer 2 protocols and technologies
Cisco Core Datacenter Technologies
ACI
Network Management
MPLS,DMVPN, Multicast
Firewalls,VPN, IPSec / L2TP etc.
Network Security

Other Skills: 

Innovation Mindset: Ability to identify and leverage emerging Datacenter technologies to drive innovative solutions that meet evolving client needs.
Automation Expertise: Advanced understanding of automation frameworks and scripting to optimize Datacenter operations and reduce manual effort.
Problem Solving: Strong analytical skills with a focus on troubleshooting complex Datacenter environments, including storage, compute, and networking issues.
Consultative Approach: Ability to engage with clients as a trusted advisor, guiding them through the decision-making process with clear, strategic recommendations.
Collaboration Skills: Proven track record of working effectively across teams, including sales, engineering, and vendor partners, to deliver cohesive solutions.
Continuous Learning: Commitment to staying updated on the latest industry trends, certifications, and best practices related to Datacenter technologies.
Security Awareness: Knowledge of Network security best practices, ensuring that proposed solutions adhere to compliance and regulatory standards.

About the Company

AHEAD

Builds and manages enterprise technology

AHEAD designs and runs technology systems for large enterprises, connecting infrastructure, applications, data and security under a single delivery team. Its roots in data centers shape its approach to modernizing complex environments that span private facilities and public clouds. Engineers assess a client's existing systems, plan upgrades and build the platforms, while managed services teams monitor operations, maintain software and respond to security incidents. The company earns money through consulting and implementation projects, technology sales and ongoing services that keep those environments running. AHEAD was founded in 2007 and is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.

Company size: 1,001-5,000
Company stage: Seed
Total funding: $9M
Headquarters: Chicago, IL
Founded: 2007

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