Solution Architect

Schurz Communications • Ann Arbor, MI

4d • Remote

About The Position

The Solutions Architect is a customer-facing, pre-sales technical role that partners with Account Executives to understand customer business and technical requirements and design solutions across cloud, colocation, data protection, disaster recovery, storage, and networking. The role serves as a trusted technical advisor throughout the sales lifecycle, developing and presenting solution architectures that leverage technologies such as VMware, Fortinet, Veeam, and Zerto.

Working with Sales, Product, Engineering, and Implementation teams, the Solutions Architect ensures proposed solutions are technically sound, aligned with OTAVA best practices, and designed to deliver a high-quality customer experience. The role combines technical expertise, consultative communication, solution design, and presentation skills, engaging with both technical stakeholders and executive decision-makers. It supports up to three assigned Account Executives, contributes to quota-aligned sales objectives, and assists with existing-customer account management and renewals.

The role requires at least 3 years of experience in solutions architecture, sales engineering, or a similar pre-sales technical role, and at least 6 years of experience in data center, cloud, hosted infrastructure, technical support, engineering, or related technology roles. A bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Technology, or equivalent experience is required. Candidates are expected to earn and maintain defined certifications after their first year; OTAVA will pay for required tests and self-paced education.

Requirements

• At least 3 years of experience in Solutions Architecture, Sales Engineering, or a similar pre-sales technical role.
• At least 6 years of experience in data center, cloud, hosted infrastructure, technical support, engineering, or related technology roles.
• Experience designing cloud, hosted infrastructure, backup, and disaster recovery solutions.
• Experience with backup and disaster recovery technologies such as Veeam and Zerto.
• In-depth knowledge of VMware, Veeam, and Zerto, including experience designing private and multi-tenant cloud solutions.
• Strong understanding of storage architecture and design.
• Strong understanding of network architecture and design.
• Ability to translate complex technical requirements into practical, scalable customer solutions.
• Ability to explain and justify technical recommendations clearly when faced with competing alternatives or opposing viewpoints.
• Ability to present complex technical concepts to large groups and technical and non-technical audiences, including C-level decision-makers.
• Strong consultative and customer-facing skills, with the ability to act as a trusted technical advisor.
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication and presentation abilities.
• Ability to develop technical documentation, architecture diagrams, and scopes of work.
• Ability to collaborate across Sales, Product, Engineering, and Implementation in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.
• Ability to balance multiple customer opportunities and priorities while supporting multiple Account Executives.
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Technology, or equivalent experience.
• Hired candidates are expected to earn and maintain a defined list of certifications after completing their first year of employment; required tests and self-paced education are paid for by OTAVA.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working with Cloud Service Providers (CSPs) and/or Managed Service Providers (MSPs).
• Experience spanning technology sales and technical operations or engineering.
• Networking engineering and/or network architecture design experience.
• Experience supporting enterprise sales organizations and complex enterprise customer environments.
• NetApp experience.
• Fortinet and Cisco experience.
• Preferred certifications include Broadcom VMware VCF Proven Professional and Certified Expert Certifications, Broadcom VMware VCF Knight Certification, Veeam certifications, Fortinet certifications, Zerto certifications, and NetApp certifications.

Responsibilities

• Partner with Account Executives to understand business requirements and identify customers’ and prospects’ technical challenges and constraints.
• Design end-to-end technology solutions using VMware, Fortinet, Zerto, Veeam, and other OTAVA technology platforms.
• Develop technical designs and documentation, including pre-sales architecture diagrams and scopes of work.
• Provide technical leadership and guidance throughout the sales lifecycle, aligning proposed solutions with industry standards and OTAVA best practices.
• Advise clients and prospects, providing technical expertise, recommendations, and solution guidance.
• Help Account Executives address customer technical challenges and explain how proposed solutions meet business and technical requirements.
• Present solution architectures and technical recommendations to technical stakeholders and executive decision-makers.
• Collaborate with Sales, Product, Engineering, and Implementation to ensure solutions are technically viable and support a high-quality customer experience.
• Support Account Executives with account management and renewal activities for existing customers.
• Maintain knowledge of OTAVA technologies, solutions, industry trends, and relevant partner technologies.
• Provide technical expertise throughout the sales cycles of up to three assigned Account Executives.
• Contribute toward assigned sales objectives in a quota-bearing role, with quota aligned to the combined targets of assigned Account Executives.
• Perform other duties as required to support OTAVA sales and technical teams.

Benefits

• 401(k) match
• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Life insurance
• Generous PTO
• Paid volunteer time off
• Paid parental leave
• Remote work
• Competitive compensation package with OTE of $200K–$240K USD annually
• OTAVA-paid required certification tests and self-paced education

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level