Solution Architect, Managed Services (Data Center)

Job Summary
As a Solution Architect within our Managed Services Provider (MSP) firm, you will play a critical role in advanced troubleshooting, system support, and small project delivery. You will collaborate closely with clients, sales teams, project managers, and technical experts to support our managed client's unique requirements. Your expertise will span across various technology domains, including cloud services, networking, security, and infrastructure, enabling you to provide strategic guidance and technical leadership throughout the project lifecycle.

Essential Duties

• React and resolve cases submitted or automatically alerted by monitoring tools.
• Troubleshoot advanced issues and provide solution options and recommendations.
• Work closely with clients to understand their business needs, goals, and challenges related to technology.
• Evaluate existing IT systems, infrastructure, and processes to identify inefficiencies or areas for improvement.
• Work with clients, business analysts, project managers, and project teams to define technical requirements and provide design recommendations.
• Research and evaluate new technologies, tools, and frameworks to improve solution designs.
• Provide technical leadership and guidance to project teams throughout the solution implementation process.
• Oversee the implementation of IT solutions, ensuring timely delivery, within budget, and aligned with client requirements.
• Lead discussions with client executive and technical stakeholders to design and build comprehensive, scalable, flexible, cost-effective and resilient solutions.  
• Identify potential risks in the architecture and propose mitigation strategies to ensure the solution’s success.
• Ensure that systems and platforms are integrated seamlessly, optimizing the use of existing technologies and data.
• Create clear and detailed documentation of architecture designs, processes, and guidelines to ensure consistent practices across the team.
• Ensure that the designed solution meets business requirements, security standards, and scalability expectations.
• Provide expert level client-collateral including architectural drawings, design specifications, implementation guides, documentation, and operational procedures.  
• Expertise with systems design, integration, and troubleshooting. 
• Understanding of cybersecurity best practices.
• Adept at identifying future engagement opportunities during existing client engagements and conveying those needs to account executives and practice leadership.  
• Lead implementation & migration projects, ensuring they stay on track and within scope.  
• Evaluate and manage third-party vendors or service providers, ensuring quality and cost-effective solutions.
• Stay up to date with emerging technologies and industry trends to provide innovative solutions.
• Collaborate with peers across Managed Services Practice.
• Participate in an on-call rotation.
• After hours / weekend work may be required.
• Other duties as assigned and directed.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• 5-7 years of experience in IT systems and software, including compute, storage, backup and DR, virtualization, operating systems, databases, and networking tools.
• Knowledge of security and compliance standards, including data protection, encryption, access control, and regulatory requirements.  
• Experience with project management methodologies (e.g., Agile, Waterfall). 
• Advanced experience with Datacenter Migrations, Microsoft Active Directory, Server Virtualization technologies (VMware vSphere, Microsoft Hyper-V, Proxmox, OpenShift)
• Proficient in at Server Operation Systems (Microsoft Windows Server, Linux – any distribution)
• Ability to design disaster recovery solutions. 
• Functional knowledge of networking technologies including TCP/IP, DHCP, and DNS. 
• Intermediate knowledge of automation skills (PowerShell, Terraform, Ansible, etc.). 
• Able to use knowledge of multiple focus areas to create integrated solutions.
• Implementation and design experience in multiple focus areas (in bold), including to not limited to Server Compute (Cisco, HPE, Dell), Storage (NetApp, Pure, IBM, HPE, Dell), Backup and DR (VEEAM, Rubrik, Cohesity, Comvault, HPEGreenlakeDR, HPEZerto), Hyper-Converged Infrastructure (Nutanix, AzureHCIStack, DellVxRail, IBMFusion HCI), Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (AVD, Citrix, Horizon )
• More than one datacenter or related certifications.  

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Associates or Bachelor's