Objectives of the Role

• This is a critical role within Architecture and serves as the owner of the customer solution roadmap, Technical Design, support and commercial build of E2E customer solutions. Internal Technical focus 60%, external Technical and customer focus 40%.
• This role will be required full-time in Umhlanga, Durban and form part of the core Architecture function.

Key Responsibilities:

• Pre-Sales, Sales and Customer interface
• Attend and participate in internal and external meetings relevant to the pre-sales cycle
• Responsible for solution feasibility, qualification and articulation
• Determination of internal and external technology/technical, pricing and vendor requirements for Solutions
• Production and provision of architectural design and execution of solutions for customer requirements
• Ensure proposals and solution amendments are responded to with adequate quality, within prescribed timescales, with input from engineering, procurement and project delivery.
• Provide technical and solutions support and advice for Sales Team, and assist in evaluating opportunities, based on technical requirements and alignment with business capabilities. 
• Ensure collaboration with vendors and partners to understand latest offerings
• Internal engagements with Sales teams
• External engagements with Customers
• Technical interface
• Consult with the Technical Teams to assist in the development of solutions (designs equipment/hardware, configurations, etc.) to meet company requirements and customer needs
• Ensuring compliance with the company’s Architecture and Engineering standards, specifications, policies and protocols in the formulation of the Design Diagrams and Technical Solution Document (TSD) for all Customer solution requirements
• Owning the process and following correct approval protocol from Divisional Technical Leads
• Technical oversight of the development and delivery of the Solution over the project lifecycle
• Analysis of key performance metrics and indicators for network infrastructure to ensure service availability
• Analysis of infrastructure resource utilisation, trending, and capacity planning
• Create and update documentation for all relevant procedures, solutions and architectures
• Internal engagements with Technical teams
• Operations interface
• Production and provision of complete Solutions Delivery and Support Packs in line with Operations (Delivery and Support) requirements
• Solutions review post implementation and customer handover of the Solution to the customer (Designed versus As Built)
• Internal engagements with Delivery and Support teams
• Procurement and Vendor interface Product Development Input, ensuring product positioning is achieved, delivering key benefits, targets and deliverables
• Definition/Provision of Vendor technology requirements for selected Vendors (preferred/identified)
• Assessment of solutions proposals and quotes received from Technology Vendors
• Final selection, validation and verification of technologies and Vendors required for the Solution based on internal, external and customer requirements
• External engagements with Technology Vendors
• General
• Participate and contribute to internal and external meetings as required
• Be willing to carry out or assist with such tasks as may be required to achieve deliverables, or as reasonably requested by a member of the company
• Regularly familiarise yourself with the company’s portfolio of Products and Services, Customers, Suppliers and internal Procedures
• Be willing and able to work in such locations as relevant to the successful delivery of the assigned projects
• Be a professional and courteous representative for the company at all times

Key Relationships

• Internal Sales, Operations and Technical Teams
• Suppliers and third-party vendors
• Customers Technical Teams

Necessary Experience and/or Qualification

• 5+ years of Pre-Sales and/or Solution Architecture experience in a service provider environment
• 5+ years of Technical Engineering experience
• Relevant network certifications an advantage ie Cisco, Fortinet, AWS and/or Azure
• Deep technical understanding of networking, voice and secure cloud products and services
• Knowledge and experience of physical network infrastructure 
• Experience in communicating complex technical solutions directly with customers 
• Experience in articulating technical designs and requirements in a structured format
• Personal Skills/Competencies Required
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent Visio skill in creating diagrams both internal and external facing
• Excellent documentation and technical design documentation skills
• Technical and strong analytical skills required 
• Creative approach to problem solving 
• Interpersonal communication and customer service skills to work successfully with prospects, customers and performance teams to meet performance goals.
• Self-motivated, project and account management experience
• Travel to prospective customer’s sites as necessary
• Ability to follow standard engineering principles and practices
• Able to create strong relationships with customers