Solutions Architect - Data Centre

Job Overview:

Technology Leadership (AMO)

Interacting with Leaders across CXO, Technology AMO, Influencers/Stakeholders across Application, Security, Digital Transformations team and Partner organizations. You should be able to interact with the clients to better understand their Business Objectives, Metrics and Strategic goals; and help develop, discuss and explain Architecture Blueprints and define the execution methodology to achieve the agreed areas of execution.

It is expected that you will use your knowledge, experience, Cisco and partner ecosystem to curate and architect solutions to problems/situations that have not yet been clearly defined or captured by Cisco’s predefined Product or Solution Architectures. This could span, using 3rd party products, tweaking/updating/evolving the “Standard/Reference Product Architectures”, Software Customizations and Non-Cisco Services capabilities or even working with the customers or partners to adopt new generation processes or methods that simplify or improves outcomes.

Pre Sales and Service Offers

You will help Cisco Services sellers in the Pre-Sales motion by defining Cisco’s Services Proposals in line with Partner and Customer goals and within the preview of the agreed scope and technical feasibility. You will also work with the larger CX Delivery team members across Theater, Centers, BDMs and Partners to accurately define the scope, RACI matrix, right size the efforts, identify risks (define mitigation, across, Product, Delivery Capabilities/Dependencies across Cisco, partners, customers and other material asks for a successful outcome.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

You will also help in ideating, evolving, and expanding Cisco Services portfolio across India and SAARC markets to ensure Service offers stays relevant and are simple to sell/adopt for both the End Customers and our Partners. As such, you will have to interact with Service and Product Sellers, Partners, Business Development Teams, Delivery teams and Product Managers.

Technical Delivery

For Projects, you will provide technical Governance and orchestrate customer/partner interaction to ensure the Project is driven to the desired technical and business outcomes within the Target Timelines, Efforts and Technical Quality Expectations. You will be accountable and responsible for technically success of the defined architecture, integration points, customization requirements, and execution strategy. Wherever you see a gap or deviation you will flag and suggest corrective actions and help the Project Manager update and supervise the delivery motion.

Defining, conducting, and leading, proactive or reactive audits with the objective of identifying key technology and best practices gap in the customer’s deployed technology platforms. Providing technology recommendations and where required design recommendations. Work closely with customers and/or Sales teams to support or identify Technology Transformation opportunities in-line with customer’s and Cisco’s business objectives.

Lead/Support Cisco’s Premium Services delivery across Life Cycle Services, Expert Care and/or Success Tracks. Work closely with teams across the above portfolio to review technical delivery and provide Governance in partnership with Cisco’s Project Managers, High Touch Operations Managers, Delivery Leaders and Customer Success Program Managers.

You will also be responsible to work with cross functional teams across Sales Systems Engineering, Product Sales Specialists, Engineering TMEs/TLs/Leads, Cisco TA/Expert Care, BCS/LCS Leads, CX Centres, TTG, BDM, Service sellers to ensure successful outcomes for the above objectives.

Location:

This position is based out of Mumbai, India, and will cover customers across India and SAARC region.

Job Type: Full Time Cisco

Travel:

Approximately 50% Domestic and International per annum

Work Schedule:

• The role requires flexibility in working hours to accommodate the needs of the business and our customer base.

Skills and experience

• 10+ years of Experience in Enterprise Network Architecture Design and Implementation. including extensive knowledge across SDx architectures (SDA, SDWAN, ACI, Security, IP MPLS etc). The primary architecture for the role will span technologies across Data Centre Routing and Switching Portfolio across Cisco and Non-Cisco Product lines.
• Must have a strong working knowledge of IP. Added SP and Optical networking experience preferred.
• Have extensive knowledge in Enterprise Product Lines
• Experience in applying software/automation solutions to networking problems is a major plus. Prior Experience in Python/Java in a Network automation environment will be preferred.
• Must be a creative Enterprise Architect

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree or equivalent in electrical/computer Engineering preferred.
• Professional networking certification – CCIE/CCDP or equivalent
• Other Relevant Certifications relevant to Architect such as CIE, CCDE, TOGAF etc

Additional Certifications (Desirable):

1. ITIL Foundation Certification:

• Demonstrates an understanding of IT service management best practices, which is valuable for working in a support and maintenance role.

1. Automation and Programming Certifications:

• Python Certification (e.g., Python Institute Certifications):
• Validates proficiency in Python programming, a valuable skill for automation in networking.

1. Vendor-Specific Certifications (Other than Cisco):

• Depending on the specific technology stack used by the organization, additional certifications from other relevant vendors may be beneficial. Experience with Riverbed is desirable.